History

On the evening of April 13, 1956, a violent incident took place at the Kailua Beach Pavilion. There had been bad feelings between local youths and Marines.  During one confrontation at the Pavilion there was an argument and tempers flared.  Some of the Marines were pistol whipped and one was fatally shot by a local youth. The following day screaming headlines informed people of the tragedy.

Most people, upon learning about such an incident, would merely grit their teeth in despair and do nothing.  But two women, Irene Kanetake and Gladys Kiyota, read the news with Christ-like compassion and concern.  Together they asked God to use them as instruments of love to bring new hope and comfort to both the youth and his mother.  Then, with fear and trembling, the two women went to visit the broken-hearted mother to present Christ as the answer to her heartaches.

Upon their arrival they found a woman whose heart had been broken by several tragedies. Following her husband’s death, her daughter burned to death.  Next a younger son was lost through accidental poisoning.  Then, only eleven days later, came the news of her son’s involvement in the tragic shooting.  But the love of Christ, as expressed by the two women to this broken-hearted mother, was able to overcome the sting of death.  Within five days of the visit she received Christ as her Lord and Savior.  Her newfound faith created a deep hunger for the Word of God and Christian fellowship.  So Irene opened her home to meet the needs of this hunger and Gladys taught her the basic Scriptures of the Christian faith.

One evening, while the three women were studying the Bible, Jiggs and Wendy Tamashiro, by the providence of God, were led into their midst where they witnessed a wonderful transformation in the life of the mother. Instead of bitterness and sorrow, they saw a new hope and joy in her face.  Because of what they saw, they too became interested in Christianity and opened their home for Bible studies and Christian fellowship.  It was here in this home on Ulupa Street that the Kailua Christian Church Branch Mission of the Makiki Christian Church was begun.  Gladys’ neighbor, Kats Kurosaki, began wondering about the mysterious mission that Gladys was involved in and he joined the group.  In like manner others began to assemble at the Tamashiro’s residence.  This group grew rapidly so Rev. Paul Nagano, Pastor of the Makiki Christian Church, was called for consultation.  Rev. Nagano recommended that Rev. Bill Tamagi, Associate Pastor of Makiki, be their shepherd.  The group continued to meet at this home for the next six months.  As in the days of the early church in the Book of Acts, many more homes were opened for Bible studies, prayer and fellowship.  The Maikai Quartet and other faithful members from Makiki came at various times to encourage this new group with singing and inspiring testimonies.  

As the group grew in number and spirit, the parents felt the challenge to provide a Sunday School for their children.  They negotiated the use of the cafetorium at the old Kailua High School site which is now the location of Kailua Intermediate School.  On January 13, 1957 at 3:00 p.m. the first Sunday School and Worship Service were conducted at this location.  Rev. Nagano delivered the first message challenging the group to live dangerously for Christ.  When the members of Makiki Christian Church heard of the further needs of this group they volunteered to teach Sunday School and to assist in the Worship Services.  

In the summer of 1957 Ted Ogoshi took over the reins of this fellowship. He recommended a five-year plan for the Mission to become financially independent and autonomous.  This was an undertaking that required much faith and sacrifice as weekly offering at this infant stage was only $8.00 per week.  

During the latter part of September, 1957, Ted Ogoshi left for the mainland for studies in Pastoral Counseling.  Rev. Bill Tamagi returned as Interim-Pastor once again until Rev. Roy Ishihara was called from Sacramento to be Kailua’s first full-time pastor.  

On February 1, 1959 a special service was held during which the Kailua Christian Mission was officially recognized by the Oahu Association of Congregational Churches and the Hawaiian Evangelical Association which is now the Hawaii Conference, United Church of Christ.  A search for a church site was then initiated and members decided to purchase the present site in Kailua.

On September 9, 1964 a groundbreaking service was held with Rev. Paul Nagano as the challenge speaker.  The following month, on October 23, construction began with a turnout of twenty-six men.  This was the beginning of months of sacrifice by the church families. Jiggs Tamashiro led the church members in the construction of today’s existing church.  After uprooting hundreds of coconut trees, they built the church sanctuary, two story classroom building, kitchen, library and office.

The first service in the completed sanctuary was held on Sunday, July 3, 1966.  

Like all other churches, Kailua Christian Church has had its share of ups and downs. Having once been the recipients of assistance from others, the members of this church now reached out to assist to others in various ways.  The giving of missions and other causes were very generous.  A ministry to Isseis was added to its outreach.  In 1976 a Youth Internship Program was initiated to assist with the ministry to the youth and the Kailua Christian Church Preschool was started.  Kailua Christian Church continued to grow with the help and leadership of Settled and Interim (I) Pastors.  The Pastors include Rev. Chuck Schuetz, Rev. Dexter Edwards Jr., Rev. Howard Yoshida, Rev. Dr. Paul Brennan (I), Rev. Dale Vallejo-Sanderson, Rev. Alan Maeno, Rev. Ronald Ching (I), Rev. Faith Jackson (I), Rev. Elizabeth Plumbo (I), Rev. Timothy Weible, Rev. Jack Belsom (I), Rev. Dr. Chris Eng (I), and the current Rev. Dale Vallejo-Sanderson.  Other pastoral leaders include Issei Pastors, Pastoral Associate Constance Ching, and Associate Pastor Rev. Diane Weible.

As they honor their past, the family of Kailua Christian Church continues to look to the future. They look to faithfully follow God’s guidance and heart to welcome others to know the love of Christ more deeply and grow in love as His family together in new and fresh ways.