As Kailua-Kona’s historic Mokuaikaua Church marked 195 years of existence on Saturday, a day of celebration was as much about looking forward as it was about the past.
The church faces more than $3 million in needed restoration so that voices can continue to echo through the ohia beams into the indefinite future. The church’s roof must be raised so walls can be reinforced and cracks and other damage from the 2006 earthquakes can be repaired. Some of the crossbeams have rot and termite damage and need replacing.
The roof, which perches unattached to the high stone walls, likely needs to be fastened down in some capacity.
First of all, however, termite and dry rot damage to the steeple — an iconic landmark of downtown — must be tackled, and exploration into the structure is revealing the damage to be more widespread than originally believed, said Ken Snelling, an architect who is donating his time to the restoration.
Before the reconstruction can begin, Hawaii County must issue a permit for the work. That permit must also be in hand before the church can gain access to a $75,000 grant from the Freeman Foundation.
“Our feelings won’t be hurt at all if the county speeds up the permit process,” Snelling said.
Kailua Village wouldn’t look the same without the steeple rising up from the huddle of rooftops and tree canopies.
“Yes, it’s our 195th,” said lead pastor David de Carvalho. “But the prayer behind it is saving an historic building.”
Funding is still the greatest hurdle. Many have stepped forward to offer free labor, but donations to the cause have been a bit thin. The church will continue to seek outside grants, de Carvalho said.
“We have received a few checks here and there, but not the volume we want,” he said. “We need $250,000. We are half of that. The church is excited, the community is excited, and we would like to begin.”
Hawaii’s first center of Christian worship, the church was founded in 1820 by Congregationalist missionaries, and the building was completed in 1837. That history was discussed at Saturday’s celebration, an event that also included dedication of a plaque honoring Thomas Hopu, the church’s first Native Hawaiian, along with hula, a luau, music and dedication of “Hawaii’s Plymouth Rock” at Kailua Pier where the first missionaries landed.
Church leaders hope to conclude restoration by 2020. Last June, the structure was added to the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s list of 11 most endangered historic sites. At that time, Stephanie Meeks, president of the NTHP, said the church needs critical improvements if its history is to carry forward into a new century.
The designation does not have any funding attached to it. However, it raises the profile of the church as the leaders of the 300-person congregation seek grants from other sources.
Generally, the building is in incredibly good shape, Snelling said. That’s not to say the job ahead won’t present difficulties. Any time work is done to repair a 6-foot thick lava wall that lacks reinforcing steel, it presents challenges, he said.
“We want to make sure the building is here for the next 200 year,” de Carvalho said. “We are doing our duty. Others have done their job in the past. Now it is our turn.”