‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Matthew 25:40
Keawalaʻi Local Mission Fund
Keawalaʻi Congregational Church’s Outreach Committee uses the Keawalaʻi Local Mission Fund by meeting once a month to review and discuss applications for financial assistance based on a variety of reasons, including housing, medical, utilities, food, clothing, transportation, program fees for substance abuse treatment as well as other qualifying expenses.
During the month, the Outreach Coordinator receives information on each applicant, checks the background information for their situation and need, connects with supportive community resources, landlords (if it is for back rent or eviction issues), and whoever in the community can be of assistance in verifying the application information. This application is then presented to the Outreach Committee to decide on grants for monetary assistance.
The committee evaluates each application on a case-by-case basis. Applications from families with children and the elderly are given priority in their decision making process. This work of the committee has kept individual’s in treatment programs, avoided evictions, helped with important car repairs, hospital bills, and so forth. This work has and continues to show our Maui community how they are loved by treating them with Aloha.
The work of the Outreach Committee of Keawala’i Congregational Church is supported through a number of community organizations and social service agencies, as well as other faith communities, including the Mālama Family Recovery Center, Aloha House and its Sober Living Program, Family Life Center, Mental Health Kōkua, A Keiki’s Dream Program, Maui Food Bank, Kaunoa Senior Services Center, Women Helping Women, Hospice Maui, Maui Youth & Family Services, Maui Drug Court Program, Kahului Union Church and others. These partnerships increase the amount of resources that may have a more effective impact on those in need.
Fundraising for Keawala’i Local Mission Fund
The fundraising activities of the Outreach Committee of Keawala’i Congregational Church include an annual Golf Tournament, Silent Auction, and the Christmas Craft Faire & Bake Sale, as well as at other fundraising events held throughout the year. Funds are also received from generous and often anonymous donors.
Grant funds are from individual donations and community fundraisers, but does not include financial support from the annual budget of Keawala’i Congregational Church.
Application process
Requests are received from a number of different sources. First, members and friends of the church may make a request on behalf of an individual or family. Second, referrals are sometimes received from community organizations, social service agencies, and other faith communities. Third, requests are received directly from the persons or families in need.
Sometimes families are faced with a member’s catastrophic illness. In some cases, individuals lose their jobs and are unable to find any suitable work within a reasonable amount of time.
Some families are single parent households. Other households are faced with the turmoil of substance abuse and/or domestic violence. In each instance the committee seeks to help and encourage those in need to use all possible resources available to them.
Below are pictures from our 2025 Annual Christmas Bake Sale.
Ways to help
There are three ways that you can help the Outreach Committee in its work:
First, include the work of the committee in your prayers.
Second, if you know of individuals or families in need of assistance, please share this information about our program with them.
Third, you may make a monetary donation to our Local Mission Fund.
For More Information
Outreach Committee Intake Coordinator
(808) 281-7434
The Local Mission Fund
Outreach Committee
Keawala ‘i Congregational Church United Church of Christ (USA)
5300 Makena Road
Makena, Maui, HI 96753
Office: (808) 879-5557
Email: keawalaichurch@gmail.com