The Beginning
The story of our church begins with the early missionary movement in Hawaii. Following the arrival of the first missionaries to the islands in 1820, a new group arrived in Honolulu in 1832. Among them was Rev. Lowell Smith, who was assigned to the vast Ewa District—an area stretching from Red Hill to Nanakuli.
After surveying the land, Rev. Smith wrote a letter in 1836 stating, "The time to build the House of the Lord has come."By 1837, they had built a thatched-roof meeting house on Haupuu Hill in Waiawa. This became the Ewa Hawaiian Church (later known as Kahikuonalani), acting as the "Mother Church" for our entire area.
The story of our church begins with the early missionary movement in Hawaii. Following the arrival of the first missionaries to the islands in 1820, a new group arrived in Honolulu in 1832. Among them was Rev. Lowell Smith, who was assigned to the vast Ewa District—an area stretching from Red Hill to Nanakuli.
After surveying the land, Rev. Smith wrote a letter in 1836 stating, "The time to build the House of the Lord has come."By 1837, they had built a thatched-roof meeting house on Haupuu Hill in Waiawa. This became the Ewa Hawaiian Church (later known as Kahikuonalani), acting as the "Mother Church" for our entire area.
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Planting Roots in Pearl City
By the early 1900s, the local population had shifted, and a Sunday School began meeting right here in Pearl City to serve local families. They faithfully gathered in school cafeterias and Japanese language schools, but they needed a permanent home. A generous land grant from the Dillingham family gave a group of Hawaiian believers the property on Lehua Avenue where our church sits today. To establish their new home, they physically moved a building—called the Waterhouse Chapel—from lower Pearl City up to this site. |
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Our Original Hawaiian Name
In those early days, this group wasn't called Pearl City Community Church. They carried a Hawaiian name that perfectly defined their mission: Hui Hoike Nani O Ka Haku O Iesu Kristo. Translated, this means "The Assembly that Proclaims the Glory of the Lord Jesus Christ." That name remains a core part of our spiritual DNA. We exist to proclaim His glory.
In those early days, this group wasn't called Pearl City Community Church. They carried a Hawaiian name that perfectly defined their mission: Hui Hoike Nani O Ka Haku O Iesu Kristo. Translated, this means "The Assembly that Proclaims the Glory of the Lord Jesus Christ." That name remains a core part of our spiritual DNA. We exist to proclaim His glory.
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A New Chapter
By the 1950s, the growing congregation needed to organize formally. On February 27, 1955, the members voted to officially change their name to Pearl City Community Church. Later that year, they called their first full-time pastor, Rev. Hiro Higuchi, a chaplain who had served with the famous 442nd Regimental Combat Team during World War II. Under his leadership, the church experienced rapid growth. |
Building for the Future
By 1956, the little chapel was bursting at the seams with 170 members and 200 Sunday School children. Knowing they needed to build for the future, the leaders broke ground on a new sanctuary. Completed in 1959, this is the exact A-frame building we worship in today. Today, we consider ourselves stewards of this rich legacy, continuing the work they started over a century ago.
By 1956, the little chapel was bursting at the seams with 170 members and 200 Sunday School children. Knowing they needed to build for the future, the leaders broke ground on a new sanctuary. Completed in 1959, this is the exact A-frame building we worship in today. Today, we consider ourselves stewards of this rich legacy, continuing the work they started over a century ago.