Kihei Lutheran Church is an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and part of the Pacifica Synod.
Whether you are a resident of Maui or just visiting, we welcome you to our church.
Purpose
To share the love and word of God through worship and service to others.
Mission
The congregation determined to make the following three items the church priority for the next three to five years:
- Develop a solid youth and family ministry program that includes programs for K-5th, 6th-8th and 9th-12th grades for our KLC ohana and the community, as well as find ways to keep college-age and young adults connected to the church family.
- Demonstrate our priority of grace and love to all people and all ages with a goal of programs to support our KLC ohana and the community. Be aware of the need for connection to both families and retired ohana within and outside KLC.
- Extend community outreach by making the church facilities available for programs, activities and events within the KLC ohana and the surrounding community.
We now look forward to identifying ways to accomplishing these priorities.
History of KLC
In 1986 a group of dedicated individuals contacted the Lutheran Church Mission Board to request an ELCA church in Kihei, Hawaii. The request was approved, and in 1987 Pastor George Bement and his family arrived. The first service was held later that year in the cafeteria at Kihei Elementary School. Because the congregation did not have use of additional space for Sunday School, classes for children were held afternoons in the pavilion at Kalama Park. As the congregation continued to grow, and as an outreach to children in the community, Sunday School was held Thursday afternoons, was renamed “Thursday Club” and was moved to St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, forming one of our first ecumenical relationships. KLC continues to enjoy a healthy ecumenical relationship with area churches.
With continued growth, steps were taken to acquire a church and parsonage. The parsonage was purchased in 1988. Walter Witte, an early commercial developer in Kihei, donated $250,000 toward the purchase of the future building site at Piilani Hwy and Moi Place. In 1996, Pastor Dave Krueger and his family joined KLC. Pastor Dave led the campaign to build a permanent church, the congregation enthusiastically jumped on board and the funds were raised. They broke ground in February 2004, and on March 11, 2006, the first service was held in the new church. The service included a Hawaiian blessing and a dedication by Bishop Finck.
This was a very exciting time. Although there was now a beautiful new building, the congregation understood that it is the people who make a church, not the building. That belief was a key reason that the church continued to thrive, prompting the need to hold two services during the busy winter months. In 2008, a member of the congregation generously donated $250,000 to pay off the building loan, and part of the parsonage loan. A short campaign by the congregation raised the funds to pay off the balance in 2010.
Positive energy and the strong faith of this congregation continued to draw new people, and the church was once again filled to capacity, prompting the need to expand the building. A new campaign began, and in 2013 and addition was built. Shortly afterwards, Pastor Dave retired. Pastor David Barber joined us as our interim pastor, and we began our call process. After two years of searching for the best fit for KLC, we were blessed with the arrival of Pastor Joel Martyn and his family in August 2017.
Throughout all the changes and challenges, the congregation never lost sight of its mission to reach beyond the walls of the building. KLC rose from a humble beginning and is now a thriving congregation ready to embrace the future. KLC has a strong foundation, and the purpose statement, “to share the love and word of God through worship and service to others” continues to be the cornerstone of the dynamic, grace-filled church.