Wānanalua Restoration

The congregation of Wānanalua is the oldest church in East Maui, founded in 1838 as the church of “second prophecy,” the name of a Hāna ahupuaʻa, or traditional land division. Wānanalua was historically the “mother church” for the other congregational churches in East Maui: in Ke'anae (Lanakila Ihiihi O Iehova O na Kaua Congregational Church), in Lower Nahiku (Nahiku Congregational Church), in Kīpahulu (Palapala Ho‘ommau Congregational Church), and in Kaupo (Hui Aloha Congregational Church). 

The original pili grass structure was located near Kapueokahi (Hāna Bay). In 1842, the construction of the current structure was begun by dedicated members. Stone for the church was gathered from the ruins of a heiau, and the original roof was thatch. The framing timbers came from the mountains and coral was gathered from the ocean. The coral was burned for lime and used to make mortar. 

The bell tower and steeple were added around 1897. The roof was reframed in 1856, which allowed for a shingle roof to be installed in 1862. In 1897, the building was reroofed, refloored and replastered. A repair project was conducted in 1988-89, which included replacement of the shingle roofing.

Worship has been conducted every Sunday since the church’s founding in 1838. The congregation honors our heritage as a Hawaiian church by using the Hawaiian language in the service, through our cultural values, and by celebrating Ali'i Sundays.