Palapala Ho'omau Church

Palapala Ho'omau Congregational Church, a historic Hawaiian church built in 1864 by missionaries from Connecticut, is located approximately 11 miles past Hana and two miles past O'heo Gulch (Seven Pools) and Haleakala National Park on the east coast of Maui. A narrow track off the main road leads to church and graveyard, a serene sanctuary overlooking the crashing Pacific. The church was partially destroyed by a hurricane in the 1940s and restored by Sam Pryor and Charles Li...ndbergh in 1964. Both men chose this sacred site as their final resting place. Established in 2012, the Palapala Ho’omau Preservation Society, is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in the State of Hawaii, and is served by volunteers who have a special connection to this historical church. Currently, the church does not have a formal congregation, although the Kipahulu community considers it their own and gathers there for occasional services, community sing-alongs, and other celebrations. Palapala Ho'omau Church has been the choice of many couples through the years for very special and private weddings. If you are interested having your wedding at the church, please contact the board at [email protected] for more information. All fees and donations support the preservation and maintenance of the church and grounds. Your support for the maintenance of the church and grounds is a blessing to both the church and the community. If you would like to join our family of supporters, please send your donation by check to The Palapala Ho'omau Preservation Society, c/o Caroline Belsom, 547 Waine'e St, Lahaina, HI 96761. If you would like to subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date on celebrations and other news from Palapala Ho'omau Church, please send your email address to [email protected]. Mahalo nui loa, The Preservation Society of Palapala Ho'omau

The 150th anniversary of Palapala Ho'omau was celebrated by the Kipahulu community with joy and gratitude. Kahu Dennis Alger of Waiola United Church of Christ led the blessing with a Litany of Preservation and Dedication, below. Mahalo, Kahu, for providing a bright "flash of the Spirit in this place.": In 1857, visionaries from far away joined with ka o'e kahiko to build this church, form a congregation, and establish a program for spiritual growth. We do not know them...; we were not here; but we honor their conviction. Over the generations, the ministries of aloha and kokua have been witnessed here; the mission of this congregation has touched many lives. We have come from many places to preserve those memories and sacred spaces. The power of nature to damage and destroy and the neglect of humans have made necessary the repair and rebuilding and refurbishing we celebrate today. We honor this endeavor and trust that this current work will be fruitful. The gospel is shared throughout the world in more ways than we can count; the message of relentless Love will emerge here again as well. We know that the Holy One continues to speak, inspired, and empower. So long as we are pono in our relationships -- with the earth, with one another, and with God -- we are renewing the foundation of righteousness: divine work. We commit ourselves to this work; Ua mau ke ea o ka 'aina i ka pono. The work begun in 1957 has ancient roots in both the bibical story of mana'olana (hope) and the preserving mana'o of na kama'aina; we endeavor to perpetuate it. We offer our mahalo for these witnesses of long ago and today who have sought and continue to seek the upbuilding of a community through spiritual endeavors. We do not know what tomorrow holds; we barely understand today. However, we trust God for the future; we anticipate surprising flashes of the Spirit in this place. We give thanks to God for the preservation efforts of persons near and far which have brought us to this day a we dedicate again this space for sacred purposes. Aloha mai, aloha aku. Mahalo ke Akua. Amene.

Today we celebrate 150 years of sanctuary at Palapala Ho'omau for the community of Kipahulu. If you are a local resident, come by the churchyard 1-4 pm to join us as we bless the church, enjoy music, hula, and pupu.

Newly restored, Palapala Ho'omau Church is ready for the next 100 years, and for your wedding.