Before the arrival of the first Hawaiians, 90% of the land area of Hawai‘i was covered with lush forests, made up largely of endemic (found only here) plants. But with humans came the invasive trees and plants which, in many places, have pushed out the native/endemic vegetation that originally covered the island and provided habitats for native birds and other species and that filtered our water and helped store it for later use.
To bring back some of what’s been lost, the Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative, also known as Legacy Trees, “works to preserve economically viable and sustainable endemic/native Hawaiian forests, protect Hawaii’s endangered species, sequester carbon, and recharge watersheds.” They have planted more than 600,000 endemic trees, and LCH can feel proud that we have joined the cause. Last year, a group of LCHers planted trees on land the organization leases from Gunstock Ranch. Since that parcel of land is almost fully planted now, Legacy Trees recently purchased a new plot of land in Hale‘iwa. The 400-acre parcel was originally owned by Princess Victoria Kamāmalu and will be home to 150,000 newly planted endemic and native trees. Besides the ecological benefits from reforesting the area in native/endemic vegetation, the Hale‘iwa land will have agricultural and cultural uses, too. In fact, the project director says that restoring this land will “serve as a world class example of how agroforestry can sustain both the community and the environment.”
This year, our adventure will be on Saturday, May 25, from 9:00 am to noon, and it promises to be just as exhilarating as last year’s. The present plan is to plant a tree dedicated to the LCH ‘ohana and then plant endangered ferns next to the Hale‘iwa Stream (since this year’s theme is water); we may even get to see Legacy Trees’ new healing garden that’s filled with medicinal plants traditional Hawaiian healers have used for centuries. If spending a Saturday morning submersed in the natural world appeals to you, please see Cindy in the courtyard after church to sign up or email her at cschein@iolani.org.
As part of this year’s Creation Care theme of water, on Saturday, April 27, from 9:00 to 11:00 am, LCH will once again be partnering with students at ‘Iolani School to pick up trash along the portion of the Ala Wai Canal that runs behind ‘Iolani School, Ala Wai School, and the community garden.
Lenten Soup and Salad Suppers at 6:00 pm in the Hörmann Courtyard
As the new year begins, we welcome back Pr. Jeff and Jean Lilley from Jeff’s three-month sabbatical in Texas. The sabbatical allowed Pr. Jeff to work on physical, mental, and spiritual health as well as music and visual arts. In addition, he was able to be with daughter Meghann for the birth of twin granddaughters in November. The photo shows Jeff and Jean with Meghann, her husband, the granddaughters, and their grandson.
The congregation of LCH comes together again on Saturday, November 18, in the Hörmann Courtyard, for the first half of our Annual Meeting. We will begin promptly at 4:30 so there will be enough time to do our business and then turn our attention to a grand party.
Come celebrate our Lutheran heritage at our annual LutherFest, where we eat, drink, laugh, and have fun in the Hörmann Courtyard. Festivities begin at 5:30 pm with light pūpū and non-alcoholic punch provided. Beer and wine are available for a benefit donation, with proceeds going to Maui Strong.
Join us Sunday, October 8, for a special worship service to bless any of your furry friends and to remember dear pets who have died.
Pastor Jeff Lilley has been granted a period of sabbatical beginning October 1 and extending through the end of the calendar year. He will concentrate on physical, mental, and spiritual health, including working with a spiritual director. In addition, he plans to work on music and visual arts. He is thankful for the opportunity for renewal, and he and Jean plan to spend significant time with family (especially twin grand-daughters due in November).
The First Mondays Concert Series remembers September 11th with a concert of sublime and transcendent music. An orchestra of outstanding local musicians led by Alexander Peña will be joined by soloists Helen Liu (violin), Alex Hayashi (oboe), and Kathleen Long (cello). The program includes Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber (1910–1981), Concerto for Violin and Oboe in c minor, bwv 1060