Two of our new friends at the Maui Church of Christ are Akira and Carlyna Tosie, natives of Micronesia and long-time residents of Hawaii. Earlier this month we were honored to join their extended family of 16 for a Micronesian home cookout, to celebrate Akira's 71st birthday and grandson Steven's fifth. Because Akira and Carlyna tend the church building and grounds, we have enjoyed their company at our place also. One day Akira, who served as a legislator on his home island, cut off a coconut growing in our backyard, made two swipes with his machete, and handed me a fresh sampling of nature's … [Read more...]
Archives for September 2009
MEMBERS WORKING TOGETHER
We arrived at the Kahului airport on Maui last Wednesday evening where retiree and associate minister Bob Harp met us warmly, wished us "Aloha," placed leis around our necks and led us to "the cottage" (parsonage) that is our home this month of September. At Bible study that night, Tim Shiroma led us in singing before I led our discussion. On Thursday, the primary window unit A/C in the cottage began leaking water inside the house, and Tom Hickox "jerry-rigged" it on Friday to get us through the weekend. On Saturday, several vehicles pulled into the church parking area, and people scrambled … [Read more...]
CHRISTIANITY IN HAWAI`I
Curious about the origins of Christianity in Hawai`i, I researched via internet and found confusing and sometimes-contradictory information. After sifting for attempted accuracy, the following account seems to be generally reliable history. About 400 A.D., or so it is thought, a gentle people emigrated from Southeast Asia and Polynesia to what we know as Hawai`i, and there they lived peacefully for perhaps 500 years. Between 900-1100 A.D., Tahitian invaders enslaved the Hawai`ians, ruling with terror and torture for nearly 1,000 years. When British explorer Capt. James Cook "discovered" … [Read more...]
