Waiakea Mission Station-Hilo Station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Haili Church |
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| Haili Congregational Church | |
Ua La’a No Iehova (Dedicated To God)
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| Location | 211 Haili Street Hilo, Hawaiʻi |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | United Church of Christ |
| History | |
| Status | Church |
| Founded | 1824 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Style | Greek Revival |
| Years built | 1854-1859 (current building) |
| Administration | |
| Division | Hawaii Conference |
The Waiākea Mission Station was the very first Christian mission on the east side of the Island of Hawaiʻi. It was also known as the Hilo Station. Today, the main building is called Haili Church.
The First Mission in Hilo
How Did the Mission Start?
In 1823, American missionaries like Asa Thurston and Joseph Goodrich, along with English missionary William Ellis, explored the island. They planned to set up several mission spots. The first two were Mokuaikaua Church on the west coast and this one in Hilo.
On May 19, 1824, a simple grass hut became the first church for the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. Joseph Goodrich was the preacher, and Samuel Ruggles was the teacher. The Hawaiian village there was called Waiākea, part of the Hilo district. The name wai ākea means "broad waters" in Hawaiian. This area is now the southeast part of Hilo city.
Early Events and Explorations
In December 1824, Goodrich met Chiefess Kapiʻolani at the Kīlauea volcano. She showed that the new Christian faith was accepted. In June 1825, a ship called HMS Blonde arrived. Goodrich then guided a group to the top of Mauna Kea, Hawaii's tallest mountain.
In 1825, a bigger grass building was built where Kalakaua Park is today. Joseph Goodrich brought some coffee trees here after 1825. Samuel Ruggles took some to the other side of the island in 1828. This was the start of the famous Kona coffee.
Growing the Mission and Community
David Belden Lyman and his wife, Sarah Joiner Lyman, arrived in 1832. They started a new boarding school. Over the next few years, more buildings were added. These included the boarding school and a larger thatched church. This area is now the town square in Hilo. It is surrounded by important buildings like the historic courthouse.
In 1835, Reverend Titus Coan and his wife Fidelia joined the mission. He learned the Hawaiian language. This helped him travel through the Puna and Kaʻū districts. He gathered many new followers. His writings describe his journeys through the thick tropical rainforests. He also wrote about his observations of the Kīlauea volcano.
Building the Current Church
Why a Stronger Building Was Needed
By 1840, the church community had grown a lot. A wood-frame building was constructed on a stone base. The wood for this building had to be pulled by hand from the slopes of Mauna Loa. There were no horses or oxen, and no roads for carts. Hundreds of Hawaiians helped with the construction. Royal Governor John Adams Kuakini supported the project.
All the earlier buildings had been damaged by the heavy tropical rains in Hilo. So, people decided to build a much stronger church.
Construction and Design of Haili Church
The building you see today was started in 1854. It was built near the Lyman family's house. Reverend Coan dedicated the church on April 8, 1859. The church's name, Haili, comes from the forest. This is where the ʻōhiʻa (Metrosideros polymorpha) wood was collected for its construction.
The main room inside the church has a ceiling 20 feet high. It spans 50 feet wide. The church's design is a simpler version of Greek Revival architecture. This style was popular in New England churches at that time. Reverend Coan was the pastor. However, he often traveled to spread the faith or guide visitors to the volcano. During these times, Lyman would lead the services.
The flexible wooden building survived a big earthquake in 1868. That earthquake damaged many stone buildings. In 1900, pews made from koa (Acacia koa) wood were installed.
Modern Additions and Repairs
In 1902, Harry K. Naope Sr. started the Haili Church Choir. This choir sang without instruments, in the Hawaiian language. In 1908, two beautiful stained glass windows from Tiffany Galleries in New York City were added. A pipe organ was installed in 1929. The church's tower and roof were also rebuilt.
In July 1979, a fire damaged part of the tower and inside of the church. Repairs were made after this fire. The original bell from 1859 cracked in the fire. It is now on display inside the church.
Several eruptions of Mauna Loa have threatened Hilo, but the lava always stopped before reaching the city. Big Tsunamis in 1946 and 1960 caused a lot of damage along the coast. But the church's location was far enough inland to be safe.
Haili Church Today
What Happens at Haili Church Now?
Haili Church is still an active church today. It offers both in-person and online services. The church also runs another chapel in Hilo called Kuhio Chapel. They also have a primary school called Haili Christian School.
Some families have had members in the Haili Church Choir for four or five generations. The choir was honored in 2001 by the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame. The church is located at 211 Haili Street. Its current pastor, known as Kahu Pono, is Daniel Kawaha.
Recognized as a Historic Place
Haili Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 23, 2002. It is listed as site 02000387. It was also added to the state list on November 17, 2001. Across the street, the home of some of the first missionaries is now the Lyman House Memorial Museum.
