Kawaiahao Church is a historic Hawaiian church known
4.7 187 reviews 957 Punchbowl St, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
Kawaiahao Church is a historic Hawaiian church known for its beautiful architecture and rich cultural heritage. It serves as a spiritual center and hosts various community events, making it a significant landmark in Honolulu.
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Kawaiahaʻo Church in 957 Punchbowl St, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA. $0 avg. price for typical events. Popular for Cultural Tours, Religious Services. Amenities include Historic Site, Community Events, Weddings, Guided Tours, Parking. Request a quote to check availability, packages, and date holds. The location offers convenient access for guests and vendors, with flexible layouts to suit seated dinners, cocktail receptions, and hybrid programs.
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Rating: 4.7/5 (187 Google reviews)
- 5.0/5:
Kawaiahaʻo Church–the national house of prayer located in Downtown Honolulu near ʻIolani Palace, Hawaiʻi. Kawaiahaʻo Church was established under Kuhina Nui (Queen-Regent) Kaʻahumanu I in the year 1820. Known as the "Westminster Abbey of the Pacific," Kawaiahaʻo Church was the first Christian Church built on Oʻahu. Dedicated on July 21, 1842, “The Great Stone Church” is made of 14,000 coral slabs from ocean reefs that were hauled from the sea by native laborers and missionaries. The church and the grounds were named a National Historic Landmark in 1962. "Kauikeaouli clock," donated by King Kamehameha III in 1850, still tolls the hours to this day. To the right of the entrance you’ll find the peaceful tomb of King Lunalilo. This popular King ruled for just a little over one year and he wished to be buried “among his people” at Kawaiahaʻo Church rather than in the Royal Mausoleum. To the left of the church you’ll also find the Kawaiahaʻo Fountain. The High Chiefess Haʻo bathed in this sacred spring, giving the church its name: Ka Wai a Haʻo, or the water of Haʻo. Kawaiahaʻo Church still serves as a center of worship for Hawaiʻi’s people, with services conducted every Sunday in Hawaiian and English. Portraits of the royal family adorn the walls of the second floor.
– Doug Ho
- 5.0/5:
We enjoyed it very much. The 4 string quartet musicians were very good. And the candle light made it feel very special. My granddaughter and I both enjoyed it very much!
– Shirley Leman
- 5.0/5:
We only got to see the outside, so here's more from Wiki: Kawaiahaʻo Church is a historic Congregational church located in Downtown Honolulu on the Hawaiian Island of Oʻahu. The church, along with the Mission Houses, comprise the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site, which was designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark (NHL) in 1962. In 1966 it and all other NHLs were included in the first issuance of the National Register of Historic Places.
At one time the central church of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi and chapel of the Hawaiʻian royal family, the church is popularly known as “Hawaiʻi's Westminster Abbey”. The name comes from the Hawaiian noun phrase ka wai a Haʻo (“the water of Haʻo”), because its location had a spring and freshwater pool of a High Chiefess named Haʻo.[4] It has also been called hale pule lahui (“Great Stone Church”), the Hawaiian Tabernacle (luakini), the Mother Church, the Kingʻs Church, the Kingʻs Chapel, and the "Aliʻi Church".
Today, Kawaiahaʻo continues to use the Hawaiian language for parts of its services. It is the oldest church on Oʻahu and one of the oldest standing Christian places of worship in Hawaiʻi, although four thatched churches stood at or near the site of the present coral church. The oldest standing church is Mokuaikaua Church on the Island of Hawaiʻi. Denominationally, it is part of the United Church of Christ."
– Kelly Thomas