Representatives of Hawaiʻi’s Bahá’í community participated in the 62nd Annual Nuʻuanu Valley Interfaith Thanksgiving Service hosted at the United Church of Christ on Judd Street in Honolulu on November 21st. Some 200 people attended in person with another 100 attending online.
The theme for this year’s service was “Strong Roots, Strong Life,” in celebration of “our common roots of faith that nourish and giving thanks for creation, and in remembrance of the people of Maui.”
The program for the event, which was co-hosted by Soka Gakkai International, a Buddhist organization, included an opening ‘oli (chant), a processional of faith symbols, sharing of words from sacred scriptures, choral music, prayers, and a hula rendition of Lāhainā Luna by the Interfaith Ensemble.
Also present was Kēhau Meyer from the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, who spoke about the Foundation’s work in support of recovery efforts following the devastating fires on Maui. Participants contributed $1,014 to Maui recovery.
“Faith communities in Hawaii can be proud that we have maintained what is believed to be the longest running annual interfaith service in the United States,” noted Mollie Sperry, Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Hawaiian Islands, one of eight Bahá’ís present at and supporting the service.
Other faith groups represented in the planning and facilitation of this unifying evening were: The Pacifica Institute of the Muslim community, First Unitarian Church of Honolulu, Community Church of Honolulu, the Hawaiian Church of Hawaiʻi Nei, Honpa Hongwanji Hawaiʻi Betsuin, Nuʻuanu Congregational Church, Temple Emanu-El, and Harris United Methodist Church.
The Interfaith Thanksgiving Service program service can be viewed here:
https://www.youtube.com/@unitedchurchofchristjuddst9924/streams

