Sunday Morning Easter Service
Featuring Kahu Mitch Nelson
Guest musicians Maki Rickard Ohana and Friends
Ka hale kupapau hakahaka: The Empty Tomb
April 5, 2026 at 7:30am
The Annual Sunday Morning Easter Service at historic Keawalaʻi Congregational Church will feature Kahu Mitch Nelson, the new pastor at Keawala’i, and guest musicians Maki Rickard Ohana and Friends as well as the Keawalaʻi Church Choir. The service on Sunday, April 5, 2026 will begin at 7:30 a.m. on the grounds of the church so please arrive early. Seating will be provided for 600 and parking will be available in the church overflow parking lot and along Mākena Road. You are invited to bring a flower or lei to place on the outdoor cross. For more information, please call (808) 879-5557.
Book Club
Tuesday, March 24, 2026 – 10:00 a.m.
Lucienne de Naie, with us on the 17th. She is the author of “The Compilation of South Maui Project Ka’eo.
New Pastor at Keawala`i Congregational Church
Sunday, February 15, 2026 – 10:00 a.m.
Keawala`i Congregational Church
5300 Mākena Road
Keawala’i Congregational Church is pleased to announce the selection of a new settled Pastor, Dr. Mitch Nelson. He is an Ordained Minister with full standing in the United Church of Christ and was ordained on Sep 25, 2022. He comes to us from Duluth, Minnesota where he was pastor of The United Protestant Church in Morgan Park UCC.
Pastor Nelson would describe his faith as “believing in the creation account and seeing nature as something that was created and blessed by God. Also a relationship, I feel that when nature is seen as something sacred in creation this can lead to better care for it and humanity. My call as of late has moved into Pastoral Ministry and writing on Christian Ecology.” His focus on Aloha for the ‘Aina fits well in the Hawaiian culture. He is also an avid surfer, hitting the waves in Lake Superior.
He follows a long line of Pastors in the 194-year history of Keawala`i, from the first minister, Nueku, to our longtime Pastor Kealahou Alika, who served for 29 years. Founded in 1832, Keawala`i Congregational Church was known as the Church of Honua`ula. Originally built of pili grass, a year later it became a stone-wood building.
Pastor Nelson’s first official leading of service will be on Sunday, February 15, 2026. All are invited.