A Question Regarding Church Services for Halemalu...

A post about Easter brings up a question you probably don%26#39;t hear much on this board (I don%26#39;t think I%26#39;ve ever seen it here):

When we were in the Cooks last time (2002) we made it a point to attend church service one Sunday (which happened to be on Easter).

In truth, we really weredn%26#39;t doing it as a religious activity (I%26#39;m not religious at all - though my wife is) but rather as a chance to mingle with the locals and because the Cook Islanders church singing was reported to be something not to miss. Both of those things proved to be VERY MUCH the case. The singing (in English and Cook Island%26#39;s Moari) and soaring harmonies truly did bring shivers up and down my spine. It was really indescribably wonderful. True to what I had heard we were indeed invited afterwards to refreshment with some of the local families. Unfortunately as it turned out, we didn%26#39;t really have to the time to do so.

This time around (April, when we return to the Cooks) we%26#39;re planning on attending again (for Easter again) and will have 2 of my wifes%26#39; sisters along - both of whom are fairly religious - and have set aside more time to visit afterwards. Based on our last experience we are REALLY looking forward to it.

So my question is this - are church services for the locals similar in style to those found in other areas of Polynesia (ie with music in native Hawaiian and with a heavy Polynesian influence) or are services generally in a more mainland USA generic style?

Broad question, I know. Lots of different religions and churches in Hawaii, but I%26#39;m thinking of the ones in a mainly Polynesian parish (such as places on Moloka%26#39;i).

Ken

A Question Regarding Church Services for Halemalu...

i heard about those wonderful choirs too. these would be larger congregations. i would go to one of the hawaiian churches, but ours are so small that there would have to be a special occasion for a larger choir. if you are on one of the islands at time of easter, i would phone or ask around where this may take place.

A Question Regarding Church Services for Halemalu...

I believe the little green church in Hanalei does Hawaiian services.

Thanks folks.

Pzp - That%26#39;s good news as whenever we return to Hawaii (no firm plans or date yet) it would likely be back to the Anini Beach area of Kauai, so Hanalei would be pretty close by. Thanks a lot, I%26#39;ll try and remember that.

Ken

The Waioli Huiia Church in Hanalei is the oldest church on Kauai. Services are in both Hawaiian and English. The first part with the hymns is in Hawaiian.

One of our most memorable lifetime experiences was when we were in Fiji on our honeymoon. You may have heard that Fijians are a very happy, musical people.

It just happened that one of the staff members of the resort was getting married during our stay. We were invited to attend the wedding and reception at a church in one of the local villages. It was an amazing event with singing, ceremonies, and prayers.

We didn%26#39;t always understand a lot, but it was certainly beautiful.

After the wedding we sat on the ground and ate the reception feast with the wedding party! When that was finished, they took us to the home of the groom%26#39;s parents where more singing, dancing and drinking kava went on for hours. The family delighted in showing us the gifts the bride and groom had received - things we take for granted - an oven, blankets, tapa cloths, and I think a few animals!

A truly special, once in a lifetime event!

Kwils11 -

Yeah, I%26#39;ll bet. Sounds wonderful.

You know how they talk about the difference between a tourist and traveler? Well I have to admit that I really am probably more a tourist than a traveler. I really go on vacation to relax, play in the warm, maybe read a book as a fall asleep under a palm tree.

However, when all is said and done, often the thing I enjoyed most about a destination is the people I met. From everything I%26#39;ve heard the Fijians are wonderful. Sounds like perhaps that%26#39;s your experience too.

Ken

Kwils, can I come with you on your next trip? %26lt;G%26gt;

My favorite part of traveling is talking to people. I can spend hours. Drives my husband crazy.

Mrs. Shanty and I attended a service at the United Church of Christ in Lahaina. The people were so lovely and friendly. Even if most of the service was in Hawaiian, the warmth of the minister and the people was just wonderful and we didn%26#39;t feel like outsiders.

This is not a reply to your direct question but for others who attend church on vacation as always. For Catholics, there is a great website called www.masstimes.org You can click on any location in the US (and maybe elsewhere??) to find Mass where you will be. Type in a town or zip code. You can look around for Masses in different languages and at different times. I have found a church in Waikiki I will attend in two weeks when my own Hawaiian vacation begins--can%26#39;t wait!!

I sing in a large church choir at home and really enjoy music in a service. Since Easter is such a special time of year I wanted to find a good choir to listen too in Maui Someone suggested Keawalai Church. (It doesn%26#39;t have to be in English or contempory! ) Any other suggestions