Standing as a beacon over historic Kailua-Kona, the 112-foot steeple of Mokuaikaua Church weathered nearly two centuries of Pacific storms, earthquakes, and the relentless march of time. As Hawaii’s first Christian church, founded in 1820, this sacred landmark represents the power of faith, the strength of community, and God’s enduring presence in the Hawaiian Islands.
But by 2013, this treasured sanctuary faced its greatest challenge yet.
When Crisis Revealed Character
“A termite inspector said termites were the least of our problem,” recalls Pastor David de Carvalho, the church’s 31st kahu (pastor). The stark assessment revealed a sobering truth: the building that had survived volcanic activity, tsunamis, and countless storms was quietly succumbing to the invisible toll of time.
A 2006 earthquake had left its mark—major cracks snaked through the south corner walls, threatening the structural integrity of the entire sanctuary. Salt air had corroded aging electrical systems. Most critically, the iconic steeple suffered extensive termite damage and dry rot in its support beams.
Such a diagnosis might have spelled the end. But for the Kona community, it marked the beginning of witnessing God’s miraculous provision.
Faith in Action
Pastor de Carvalho understood the urgency. “We are the generation responsible for this landmark,” he told our congregation.
Mokuaikaua’s faithful rallied with dedication. Civil engineer David Ross and architect Mike Franke stepped forward, offering their talents.
The congregation’s prayers were answered through what Pastor de Carvalho simply describes as “miracles that needed to happen.”
Miracles that Needed to Happen
Just when the preservation plan stalled, Peter T. Young, former Hawaii County deputy managing director, felt led providentially to visit the church. “He was driving by, saw the church steeple and felt like God was telling him to come and talk to me,” Pastor de Carvalho recounts. Young’s volunteered expertise proved to be God’s provision for navigating the permitting process.
Then came Alan Quesnel of Canada, moved through a Sunday message to offer an initial $450,000 matching grant—which he later increased to $3 million. Kennedy Wilson, a global real estate investor, contributed another $250,000 through the faithful efforts of project contractor Nathan Hendricks of Ali’i Builders.
The National Fund for Sacred Places recognized Mokuaikaua’s significance with a $250,000 grant, acknowledging the vital role historic churches play in strengthening communities. The Historic Hawaii Foundation contributed $75,000 specifically for steeple restoration.
Honoring God’s House for Future Generations
When work began in April 2019, the preservation workers faced another challenge: how to preserve the authentic character of an 1837 house of worship while ensuring it could serve God’s people for another two centuries.
Massive steel beams were installed for stability, then carefully covered with ohia wood to maintain the sanctuary’s historic beauty. The team replaced damaged ohia posts and beams—some of the 50-foot spanning timbers that had been harvested from Kona’s upland forests nearly 200 years ago.
They strengthened the entire structural system from the ground up, adding steel tie-beams to stabilize the stone masonry walls during seismic events. The roof, which had never been properly attached to the walls in the original construction, was finally secured with custom brackets.
Electrical systems were modernized to safely serve modern ministry needs, and the historic bell was painstakingly restored to once again ring for Kailua-Kona!
Perhaps most significantly, they preserved and strengthened the inspiring steeple, designed by renowned Honolulu architect Charles Dickey in 1926.
A Testament to Faithfulness
The preservation project represents more than structural renovation; it reflects the providence and community effort that built the original church. Just as Governor Kuakini coordinated the efforts of 4,000 people to construct the first sanctuary in 1837—with Hawaiians working alongside missionaries—the 21st-century restoration became a testament to what God accomplishes through faithful people.
Today, Mokuaikaua Church stands stronger than ever, its walls reinforced not only with steel and engineering expertise but with the prayers and sacrificial giving of a congregation that refused to let this beacon of faith, hope and aloha fade away. The sanctuary continues its 200-year mission and welcomes thousands of visitors annually to learn about Hawaii’s heritage of faith in Iesu Kristo – Christ Jesus.
Our Legacy of Faith Reneweddefault
The project required approximately $6 million and represents one of the most comprehensive historic preservation efforts in Hawaii’s history. Yet its true value lies in the preservation of a sacred space where the Gospel first took root in Hawaiian soil, where Christian community continues to flourish, and where future generations will gather to worship the same God who brought those first missionaries safely across the seas.
Thanks to the enduring effort of our community, Mokuaikaua’s steeple continues as a historic landmark of Kailua-Kona, pointing heavenward as a reminder of God’s aloha!
Special Thanks to Preservation Donors
Alan Quesnel donated 3 million
Alii Builders donated over 75K in gratis work. Nate Hendricks is the contact.
Atherton Family Foundation gave 150 thousand
Bill McMorrow / Kennedy Wilson Charitable Foundation donated $550 thousand
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