Page 3 - Hawaii Island MidWeek - Dec 8, 2021

THE
LIGHT
with Hau‘oli Akaka
Kahu Abraham Aka- ka was the iconic 20th century pastor of Kawaiahaʻo Church for 27 years from 1957 to 1984. His ministry and mantra was ex- emplified by Aloha Ke Akua, “God is love.”
In March 1965, the Rev. Akaka wanted to show soli- darity with his friend Dr. King, who was preparing for a third march from Selma, Alabama, to Montgomery. Kahu Akaka sent a gift of aloha to uplift their spirits, a gesture that is forever commemorated in photographs.
Aloha still is Hawaiʻi’s di- vine gift to the world.
He shared that special bond with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Both were legendary social justice leaders in their commu- nities and respective churches. These two men would eventu- ally meet and develop a special
In a letter dated March 19, 1965, kahu Akaka wrote:
A Friendship Of Two Icons
I wear your love like a lei through the summers and the winters.
DECEMBER 8, 2021 HAWAI‘I ISLAND MIDWEEK 3 SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly
— Mary Kawena Pukui
Dr. Jeffrey Akaka, son of kahu Akaka, recalled their bond, saying, “They were very close friends. They’re both in- volved in the civil rights move- ment in the late ’50s, early ’60s. And my father was actually the president of the Hawai‘i Civil Rights Commission, which was advisory to the National Civil Rights Commission. So, he and Dr. King worked very, very closely on that. One of the things that he did was to have Dr. King come to Kawaiahaʻo. Dr. King spoke and gave a ser- mon.”
friendship in their fight for so- cial justice.
prophet for all mankind,” and compared Dr. King to Moses leading his people from slavery to the Promised Land.
the mothers of the Kawaiahao church for you and our brothers in the cause of our Lord Jesus, whose commandment you obey. Feed my lambs. Tend my sheep, feed my sheep. History will honor this hour because his chosen servant was faithful. And a great nation responded to that faithfulness. Aloha, A.A. (Abraham Akaka).”
Hauʻoli Akaka is a cultur- al specialist at Kamehameha Schools. He is a kumu of Ha- waiian language, hula and also a deacon at Kaumakapili Church.
Chasing The Light is pro- duced by Robin Stephens Rohr and Lynne Johnson.
Kahu Akaka recounted Dr. King’s sermon at Kawaiahaʻo Church in February 1964, say- ing he “heard the voice of a
“Dear brother, Martin Lu- ther King, as you bring good news to the meek, bind up those that are bruised, release the captives, our prayer and aloha reach out to enfold you. These flower lei were made by
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