AKAKA TO ATTEND DEDICATION OF RENOVATED LANAI UNION CHURCH

(Posted by Wendy OSHER © 2009)

U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka will speak at the dedication of the renovated Lanai Union Church today (February 20).  The Senator’s brother, Kahu Abraham Akaka, served the church more than fifty years ago.  The building was originally the town’s Buddhist temple and was given to the church near the end of World War II.

Renovations to the church include the addition of a new elevator and restroom for improved accessibility.

The two-story building’s first floor was originally designed for a Japanese-language school, and now holds Lanai’s only preschool.  The second story is used for worship services by members of the United Church of Christ.

Robert Alpers has been the pastor of Lanai Union Church since 2000.  Dorothy Lester, an Associate Conference Minister of the Hawaii Conference of the United Church of Christ, is also a member of Lanai Union Church and is expected to participate in the dedication.