The first missionaries to arrive in the islands were from New England. Sailing in the Thaddeus, 14 missionaries (seven mission couples) and four Hawaiian boys left Boston. They arrived in Hawai’i after 164 days. During the time they were at sea, Kamehameha I had died, his son Liholiho had become ruler, and the ancient kapu system had been abolished, with no belief system to take its place.
The first Christian church established in the Hawaiian Islands lives on to this day in an active and caring fellowship called Mokuaikaua Church.
Find out about Preserving Mokuaikaua Church
Many of Hawaii’s churches and ministries have given generously to erect the Kailua Village historical marker that tells the story of “Hawaii’s Plymouth Rock.”
We gratefully honor Mokuaikaua Church, Frank & Rosemary Miller, Calvary Church, Legacy Church, Living Stones, Kona Coast Chaplaincy, Central Kona Union Church, Holualoa Chapel, Samoan Church of Hawaii LMS, Helani
Church, St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Haili Congregational Church, Kuhio Chapel, Waipahu United Church of Christ, Gospel of Salvation Church, Kahikiola Congregational Church, Kona Church of God, Family Foundations International, Corinth Reformed Church, Rev. Abraham Akaka Ministries Foundation and the University of the Nations for their generosity.