Theme:  Built on a Firm Foundation
                  Kūkulu ‘ia ma ke kahua kūpaʻa

 “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts on them, will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  And the rain fell and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.  And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.  And the rain fell and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and its collapse was great.” Matthew 7:24-27

Location:
This year’s ‘Aha Makua will be hosted by the Kaua‘i Association at Kapa‘a First Hawaiian and Kapa‘a United Church of Christ, 1315 Ulu Street, Kapa‘a, Kaua‘i.

Registration: 
 A separate registration packet and form for the annual meeting of Association of Hawaiian Evangelical Churches, Christian Endeavor, State Council of Hawaiian Congregational Churches, and State Sunday School Association have been mailed to Hawaiian churches. For ‘Aha Iki information, go to https://www.hcucc.org/aha-paeaina

• All who attend must register by 4:00 pm, May 12, 2025. One form for each registrant and full payment ($165 per person) must be received at the Hawai‘i Conference Office by the close of business on this date to guarantee your registration.  (Please note that the deadline for ‘Aha Iki registration is the same.)  Churches are encouraged to register all delegates at the same time, including the youth/young adult delegate (see below under Voting Delegates).
• Late Registration: A late registration fee of $30 will be assessed for registrations received after 4 p.m. on May 12.
• Retired Ordained Clergy with standing in an association of the Hawai‘i Conference may have ‘Aha Makua fees waived. Housing cost and airline reservations are on your own. 

'Aha Youth Program:
There will be a youth track at the ‘Aha Makua. For more information, go to the 'Aha Youth Event.

Scholarships:
To donate or request financial assistance enabling all our churches to attend the ‘Aha Pae‘āina, please contact your Association directly.  The Conference Office does not handle this.

Housing:
Outrigger Kaua‘i Beach Resort (4431 Kaua‘i Beach Drive, Lihue).

ALL ROOMS ARE SOLD OUT

Transportation:

Airlines:
Delegates and visitors are responsible for their own flight reservations and payments.  Up to $70.00 of one way airfare is reimbursable for neighbor islanders.  Receipts should be submitted to Lori Yamashiro at the Hawai‘i Conference Office by June 23.

Shuttles: 
Arrivals: Shuttles will be arranged from the Lihue Airport to Kapa‘a UCC for those who fill out the transportation portion of the registration form and turn it in by May 12.  Vans will meet only the flights for which we have scheduled pick-ups.  If your plans change and you don’t need a ride, please call Lori Yamashiro at 808-292-5249 so van drivers aren’t kept waiting.

We will NOT run continuous shuttles.  Pick-up times will be arranged only for those providing arrival information on the registration form. Prior to your arrival, you will be notified of your shuttle pick-up information. Please be patient if the van is not at the airport when you arrive. 

Departures: We will NOT run continuous shuttles for departures from Kapa'a UCC  to the Lihue Airport. If you requested transportation to the airport on your registration form, a listing of departure shuttles will also be posted at the registration table.  We cannot guarantee any transportation after 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Parking:
Limited parking will be available at Kapa'a First Hawaiian and Kapa'a UCC.

Meeting Information:

Business:
Each delegate will be asked to vote on important issues and therefore it is vitally essential for your church’s delegate(s) to familiarize themselves with information about the business items.  Updated information can be found on the Conference’s website at www.hcucc.org under Quick Links “2025 ‘Aha Pae‘āina.”

Voting Delegates:
To be a voting delegate, you must be in one of these categories:  

1. Local churches with standing in an association of the Hawai‘i Conference are entitled to:

a. One lay delegate for the first 200 members and an additional delegate for every 100 members or a major fraction thereof, up to a maximum of five.  (For example, a church with 251 members is entitled to two delegates: one lay delegate for the first 200 members plus one lay delegate for the major fraction [51] above 200.  (Note that the number of church members is determined by the 2023 UCC Yearbook listing.)

b. One youth/young adult delegate, 30 years of age or younger.

2. Ordained, Licensed, or Commissioned ministers with current standing in an association of the Hawai‘i Conference.

3. Members of the Hawai‘i Conference Council and Chairs of standing and special committees.

4. Presidents of Associations and Recognized Affiliate Organizations (Woman’s Board of Missions, State Sunday School Association, Christian Endeavor Association, State Council of Hawaiian Congregational Churches, Council of Samoan Churches, Hawai‘i Pacific Islander and Asian American Ministries, and UCC Transition House).

Delegate Orientation:
For those who will be first time delegates to the ‘Aha Makua, a delegate orientation is being planned in early June. More information to follow.