Hawaii Conference

Back-to-School Bash

With summer nearing an end and children everywhere about to return to school, an enterprising group on the Hawaiian island of Oahu decided they would not allow the season to end without one last hurrah. Therefore, plans were laid for the first annual Back-to-School Bash. The event was held at the Honolulu Central church, and children from all over the island were invited to be part of the festivities.

Activities and food were provided—all free of charge. Kids were able to jump in an inflatable bouncer, snack on s’mores, eat a cookout-style dinner, play a variety of games, and try their skill at the dunk tank. The dunk tank featured some of Hawaiian Mission Academy’s teachers and the principal, Joe Lee. After dark, Pastor JR Bonilla set up the inflatable screen, and families were invited to stay and watch a movie under the tree.

Central Church member Nolan Low had organized a summer-long collection of school supplies. Kids and parents stopped by the supply table to pick up anything they might need for the upcoming school year. Nolan said that this was by far the most donations he has received in several years of running the collection.

All in all, students had a great time saying goodbye to summer vacation and getting ready for school’s opening bell. The adults had fun too and are looking forward to planning next year’s event.

____________________ By Travis Sager

HMA Ka Lama Iki’s Mission to Help, Even from Miles Away

Beach clean ups: canceled. Education Sabbaths: postponed. Elderly home visits: canceled. Amid the challenge of COVID around the Oahu community, the staff at Hawaiian Mission Academy Ka Lama Iki was struggling to provide students with a true mission outreach. Students and teachers hesitated to try to raise money during a time of financial hardship. They had already sent cards to hospitals and given thank you treats to parents at dismissal. What could be done on campus to inspire students during their first Encounter Bible units centering around transformation and furthering the kingdom of God? The idea for an outreach project came to mind when teachers were cleaning out the staff resource closet.

Ka Lama Iki had made the switch from Go Math to Big Ideas, leaving stacks of pre-ordered, unwrapped math books and teacher guides gathering dust. School administrators had sold a few boxes and sent a box or two to other schools, but ultimately they couldn’t bear to just throw the rest out. Then it clicked: Send the books to a school in need.

Teaching principal Sarah Traczyk was approached by a local group of missionaries headed for Cameroon, Africa, asking for any possible book donations. Overjoyed by the opportunity, her fifth- and sixth-grade homeroom students were tasked with packing 30+ boxes with math books, older Bible textbooks, library books, and books on tape. They sealed up the boxes with encouraging notes and Bible verses.

During the process, the cafeteria was littered with uplifting messages to children abroad. Missionaries visited the outdoor cafeteria for a safe pick up, and they are heading to a Christian school in Cameroon, Africa, in January to first repair a critical drinking water well and then assist in repairing the local school, which houses over 650 students.

Ka Lama Iki students were asking what else we could send to Cameroon, and they look forward to hearing from the missionaries when they arrive after the new year. Traczyk said, “There is nothing more rewarding than seeing the excitement and love flowing out of students tasked with making a difference!”

____________________ By Sarah Traczyk