Church Services

Keawala'i Congregational Church offers services to General Members and Associate Members, as well as friends and visitors. Requests may be made in accordance with the stated guidelines. These services can include:

Weddings & Reaffirmation of Marriage Vows

Requests for weddings and reaffirmations of marriage vows are open to all. Times and dates must be set for the ceremony itself, a mandatory appointment with the pastor, and a rehearsal are also part of the process. Those making inquiries are reminded to begin planning at least nine to twelve months ahead of time if possible as times and dates are set according to availability.

When the church is available the earliest time a wedding ceremony may be scheduled is 11:00 a.m., the latest is 4:00 p.m.

There is a wedding fee of $900 for members and $2500 for non-members. The fee covers the services provided by the pastor, the help provided by the Administrative Coordinator of the church, and the use of the sanctuary and grounds of the church.

The fee for the reaffirmation of marriage vows is $500.

A non-refundable deposit of $200 will confirm the date and time for a ceremony. If we receive a request for an event on the same date you have requested, and we have not received your deposit, we will attempt to reach you to confirm. If we do not hear back from you we will release the date. A list of musicians will be provided so you can work with the musician directly, including bookings, deposit and fees. We typically have a guitar/soloist play 3 songs during the ceremony, some of which is in Hawaiian. If you have a musician in mind, we can work with you to see how we can accommodate your choice for a ceremony here.

Off-grounds weddings are scheduled on a case-by-case basis. The fee covers the pastor to officiate the ceremony at another location. You would be responsible to make all other wedding arrangements including music, sound, chairs, etc. If your ceremony will be in a public place i.e. a beach, you will be responsible to contact the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to obtain the proper permits. If you choose an outdoor wedding, please remember that there could be inclement weather and you will lose a certain amount of privacy.

Should there be inclement weather, you will need to have made arrangements for an alternative site. The church can be used if it is available but it may not be available.

You can apply for a beach or park permit at https://dlnr.hawaii.gov. Go to Online Services and click on Wedding Permits. The permits are required for all public beaches.

The fee for a wedding license is $65. Please go to https://emrs.ehawaii.gov. You may pay the wedding license fee online with a debit or credit card.

Once you have applied for the license online, you will be required to make a Zoom appointment with a marriage license agent -- they may not be scheduling these meetings in person. This, however, could change at anytime. Please follow up your online application by calling the South Maui Marriage License Agent, Sherilyn Takushi, at (808) 276-6919. The marriage license agent will provide you with a marriage license worksheet that you must bring to the church on the day of your wedding. After the ceremony, we will finalize your license electronically in the State of Hawai‘i database and the State of Hawai'i will send your marriage license certificate directly to you.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Alcohol is not permitted on the grounds. However, non-alcoholic beverages are permitted.

The use of rice or birdseed is not permitted. We ask that either flower petals, biodegradable confetti, or bubbles be used outside the sanctuary itself. Flower petals may be used if a flower person is included in the wedding party.

You are welcome to set up decorations, including flowers, in the church for the ceremony. Please plan to clean up before you leave. Flower arrangements can be left in the church afterwards if you do not want to take them.




    
Baptisms

    
The sacrament of baptism is
        open to General Members and Associate Members as well as friends and
        visitors. The sacrament is usually celebrated on the fourth Sunday of
        each month at the 10:00 a.m. service of worship. On occasion the Sunday
        which is designated for a particular month may be other than the fourth
        Sunday.

    
Requests may be made for infant baptisms.
        In such instances parents are required to schedule an appointment with
        the pastor. The visit will provide an opportunity to discuss the significance
        of the baptism and to go over the details for the baptism.

    
Requests made for adult baptisms require
        that the candidate also schedule an appointment with the pastor.

    
Because of the history and cultural tradition
        of the church, baptisms are usually done by immersion in the bay fronting
        the church, weather permitting. If there is inclement weather on the
        day of the sacrament, the baptism will be done with the sprinkling of
        ocean water in the sanctuary.

    
There is no fee.

    
However, there are multiple options available
        to candidates or families who may wish to express their appreciation.
        Monetary donations can made be made to the church, floral arrangements may be provided for the altar, or refreshments may be provided for our Aloha Hour after the service.
        Such donations are not required.







    
Blessings

    
Requests may be made for public and private blessings
      for homes, businesses and special events. In addition blessings are also
      offered for boats as well as other vehicles and for situations that are
      of particular concern to individuals or families. 

    
The blessing of homes and businesses requires that the
      family or business associates provide a maile lei for the blessing.
      Blessings for ground breaking ceremonies require that the person or persons
      making the request provide a shovel or shovels and whenever possible an o'o or
      turning stick.

    
All blessings are done in a "Hawaiian style" with
      the use of Hawaiian symbols.

    
There is no fee. However, donations are welcomed.

    
Gifts received for all blessings provide support for the ongoing work and ministry of the church.








    
Memorial Services & Funerals

    
Requests for memorial services or funerals are granted to General Members and
      Associate Members as well as friends and visitors. Inquiries
      may be directed to the church office by telephone, fax, or e-mail.

    
The scattering of ashes is available to all.
      Keawala‘i Congregational Church has an
      outrigger canoe that is used for such
      occasions. A crew consisting of three church members is
      required and made available. Three to five family members may also be included
      on the canoe.

    
Only General Members of the church have the right to place a plaque in
      the church cemetery if ashes are scattered at sea or inurned in the columbarium.
      Bodily burials must be made in locations other than the church cemetery.

    
The primary concern is setting a time and date for the service.
      A time and date also needs to be set for a required meeting
      between family members and/or friends
      making the request and the pastor.







      
FOR MORE INFORMATION

      
For more information on any of the services above, please call us at (808) 879-5557—you may speak with our Administrative Coordinator at that number. The Rev. Dr. Gary Percesepe is the kahu or pastor.

      
You may also contact us via e-mail at keawalaichurch@gmail.com.








    

      
    

    

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