History

Praise God for the faith of our fore fathers, when in 1952 they convinced the conference to purchase this prime piece of real estate – just about 2 acres – for 1,500 dollars.

When they moved their beloved old church from Paia and placed it in the very back corner – about where the playground sits – Kahului was a sleepy town where they rolled up the sidewalks at sunset! Puunene Ave was a 2 lane road, the fairgrounds was to the left (no Wakea Ave.) and kiawe trees grew in back all the way to Hana Hwy.

After they built their small schoolhouse – plans were made to build a brand new church closer to the street. My father, Leonard Gomes along with the Kamalii’s, the Bell’s, the Phillips, the Uweekolani’s, the Madrids, the Robello’s and other dedicated families worked evenings and weekends to make it happen.

The blessing service was held on March 31, 1963. The front entrance faced Puunene Ave. and parking was street side in front of the church on the grassy shoulder.

During the forty seven years after the church was built – except for the addition of the side classrooms, a small kitchen and the parking lot, the church building remained the same while Kahului town began its urban sprawl. Puunene Ave. became a major four lane thoroughfare with traffic and sirens drowning out sermons on Sabbath mornings.

With a deed restriction, the possibility of selling this property and building at another location was impossible. So we looked at various options that would make the best use of the space we were already blessed with.

We began putting ideas on paper and came up with a blueprint of “what if’s” and when Pastor Rivera arrived in 2005 he was on fire to revive this sleeping church – to put into action what, up until then seemed only unachievable dreams.

Luke 14:28 says “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, doth not first sit down and count the cost, whether he have wherewith to complete it?”

So today you see the results of a church, placing our resources, energy and timing in God’s hands – faithfully paying attention to all the details to carry out this vision.

Our members in the construction trades were dedicated to producing a high quality sanctuary befitting the worship of our Lord and King. The entire year of construction brought unity among us as we continued worshipping right here in the sanctuary. Volunteers cleared construction debris and set up pews each Friday afternoon for Sabbath services and every Sunday volunteers would come back and move the pews out so work could resume. Even the baby grand piano sat in its place without one scratch as workers buzzed around it.

On June 10, 2010 we held the official inauguration blessing of our new “flipped” version of the original footprint. In the four years since, our once “wilting on the vine” church is alive with evangelism, active ministries, a growing pre-elementary school, community services projects and praise God – we counted the cost and with his help have completed it!

—

History of the Kahului Seventh-day Adventist Church on Maui

1912, 1918 and 1928 Robert & Mabel McKeague began their work on Maui. Robert was the son of John McKeague, a charter member of the first church in Honolulu.

Feb 23, 1928 - A company of believers met and the first SS meeting was held at Sr. Alfonso’s home in Pauwela

March 16, 1929 - Haiku Church was organized and dedicated with 15 charter members and Robert McKeague as pastor.

Feb. 7, 1930 - Elder Charles W. Hartwick pastors the Haiku church. Brother Sampayan, assistant pastor, help with Filipino members. Pastor Harwick raises a group of 5 believers in his Wailuku home.

May 28, 1931 – Brother Frank Harwick is ordained by Elder C.R. Webster, Hawaiian Mission Superintendent, to pastor Haiku church.

Sept. 27, 1934 – Church building moved to Paia. Brother R.E. Delafield ordained as an Elder and the Haiku church is incorporated into the Paia church.

Nov. 16, 1935 - Pastor R.E. Delafield dedicates the Wailuku church with 14 charter members.

1936 - Elder C.R. Harrison pastors the Wailuku and Paia churches

1938 - Elder Roy F. Aldersen

1939 – 1942 Pastor L.D. Weber

1943 – No pastor. Elder Munson visiting pastor

1944-1947 – Elder Gordon McLafferty

1948 – 1950 – Elder B.H. Matthews

1951 – 1952 – Elder Charles Phelps

March 13, 1952 - Authorization given to purchase parcel at 261 S. Puunene Ave., Kahului, consisting of 2 acres for $1500.00.

Nov 21, 1953 - The Wailuku and Paia combined to form the Kahului Seventh-day Adventist Church. The old wooden church from Paia was moved to Kahului parcel.

1954 – 1956 – Elder Walter Barber

1957 – 1960 – Elder Gordon Collier

1960 – Lahaina church building dedicated. Elder Gordon Collier pastors Kahului church and Lahaina company

1961 - 1963 Pastor Robert Babcock pastors Kahului church and Lahaina company

March 31, 1963, this very building was dedicated as The Community Seventh-day Adventist Church.

1964 - 1967 – ElderWarren Schultz pastors Kahului church and Lahaina company

1968 – 1970 – Elder Frank Michaelson pastors Kahului church and Lahaina company

1971 – 1972 - Pastor Stanley Caylor

1973 – 1975 - Pastor Oliver Simpson

1976 – 1977 - Pastor Jim Pimentel

1978 – 1979 - Pastor Dennis Joao

1979 – 1980 - Pastor John Monge

1981 - 1982 - Pastor Phil Lizzi

1986 – 1991 - Pastor Dave Gemmell

1992 – 2003 - Pastor Robert Cowan

2004 - 2005 - Pastor Richard Dale

2005 – 2015 - Pastor Juan Rivera

2015 – now - Pastor Vassili Khrapov