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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, October 12, 2002

WHERE WE WORSHIP
Church services rock in nightclub venue

By Zenaida Serrano Espanol
Advertiser Staff Writer

Name of church: Mana'olana

A band plays loud rock 'n' roll music during Mana'olana's Sunday morning services at Pipeline Cafe, which is a bar and nightclub.

Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser

Our denomination: Foursquare Church, based in Los Angeles

Where we are: Pipeline Cafe, 805 Pohukaina St. in Kaka'ako

Our numbers: About 100 to 120 people attend services, held 10 a.m. every Sunday.

Our senior pastor: Ka'ala Souza, a licensed minister who received training through Hope Chapel Kane'ohe Bay

What's special about us: Church services are held in a venue that normally operates as a bar and nightclub.

"We didn't set out to be in a bar," Souza said. "The reason we're in a bar is simply because there's a roof in case it rains and the sound system is unreal."

Music is a big deal to the congregation at Mana'olana, he said. A band plays what Souza describes as loud rock 'n' roll music.

"It's more feeling, it's more passion, it's more energy," Souza said. "That's absolutely vital and important to us."

A common misconception many people have about Mana'olana is that services are attended by "derelicts and alcoholics," he said, or by a much younger crowd, which is not the case. Congregants come from all walks of life.

Despite its unusual location, Souza said Mana'olana isn't trying to be different.

"In fact, we're trying to be the same as, ultimately, the church in the New Testament," he said. "I'd rather be doing real simple stuff: be together, fellowship, read the Bible, pray together, watch people get healed, eat together and worship together."

Our history: Mana'olana, one of the newer Foursquare churches in Hawai'i, held its first worship service Sept. 15 with about 150 members in attendance.

What we believe: As a Foursquare church, members believe in Jesus Christ as savior and baptizer, Souza said. Members also believe the Bible is the absolute word of God.

Although there are no set schedules yet, baptisms and communions are celebrated.

The church ordains women and those who are married, but not noncelibate homosexuals.

Mana'olana, a combination of the Hawaiian words "mana'o" and "lana," "talks about hope, confidence and helping people to rise above what is in the world today," Souza said.

The mission of the church is to train and equip people through the Bible, prayer and worship, and to "release them to change their particular world," he said.

What we're excited about: A concert featuring several acts, including rappers Gideon's Army and the Mana'olana band, is slated for 6 p.m. to midnight Nov. 24 at Pipeline Cafe. Tickets will be sold at the event; prices are pending.

A portion of proceeds will go to River of Life Mission, a homeless ministry.

"I'm really excited about our children's church," said Souza.

Some 20 to 30 youth attend a children's Sunday service on the cafŽ's second floor. Before service, volunteers cover up the music posters near the bar and make the bathrooms kid-friendly with stickers, stools and fish-shaped soap dispensers.

Contact: Call 372-4150, visit www.manaolana.com or e-mail info@manaolana.com.

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If you'd like to recommend a faith organization for the weekly feature, Where We Worship, e-mail faith@honoluluadvertiser.com, call 525-8035 or write: Where We Worship, Faith Page, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802.