Posted on: Wednesday, August 4, 2004

Church concedes to worship less loudly

By Anna Weaver
Advertiser Staff Writer

Leaders of a Kalihi church say their 5 a.m. worship service six days a week reflects the congregation's Korean culture, which has a tradition of early-morning worship.

Some neighbors, however, say the joyful noise is a nuisance so early in the morning.

In response to complaints, Hawai'i Cedar Church last week told area residents it would close its windows and not use a microphone for the morning services attended by about 130 people, said pastor Rev. Duk Whan Kim and deacon Johan S. Huh, spokesman for the church at 1545 Kamehameha IV Road.

The church leaders made the pledge to work with neighbors at a meeting Friday with several nearby residents. Church officials said it was the first time they were told directly of the complaints, but some residents say the church noise has been a problem for years.

"Most of us are working people, and that's when we're still sleeping," said Lena Usu, who lives in an apartment building next to the church.

Emily Garcia, who lives in a house next to the church, said she's lost count of the number of times she called police to complain about the noise. "I want to move out because of the noise," she said, but is doubtful she'd find a buyer.

Resident Bruce Ah Leong said he got about 30 of his neighbors to sign a petition asking the church and government officials to "tone down" the services. Police Maj. Susan Ballard of the Kalihi substation said HPD had received four noise complaints about singing at the church since June 1, including three logged at about 5 a.m.

"They say they're exercising freedom of religion. It's the noise level that's the concern, not the religion," said Ah Leong, who lives in the same building as Usu. He said in addition to the morning services, the church's twice-weekly evening services disturb residents as they settle in after a workday.

The church will close its windows for those evening services as well, and will try to rig a sound shield to dampen the drums used in services, said a visiting minister at the church, the Rev. Gary Branham.

Hawai'i Cedar Church is an Assembly of God church whose congregation is made up largely of people of Korean ancestry.

Dr. Ho-Min Sohn, director of the Center for Korean Studies at the University of Hawai'i, said early worship is a part of Korean culture.

"It's a long tradition that's quite popular in Korea, too. As soon as they wake up, they go out and pray, and then come back to have breakfast," said Sohn.

"With the Korean Christian community, it's their tradition to wake up extremely early for services," said the Rev. Donald Watkins of Hawai'i Cedar Church, who gives the 11 a.m. English-language service on Sundays. He says he can understand the noise complaints, but that he's "been in other churches that have been a lot louder."

"Once we're pumped up and praising the Lord, we're singing," Huh said at Friday's meeting.

"We're not complaining about your religion," area resident Gary Fansler told Huh. "All we're asking is the volume comes down."

"This is the first time (neighbors) have formally told him" said Huh, translating for the Rev. Kim, who is not fluent in English. "He's going to talk to the neighbors and find out what the issues and problems are."

The church changed hands about a year ago, when the Rev. Kim became the new church director and renamed it Hawai'i Cedar Church. Since then the congregation has grown from a handful to 200 members.

At an April 21 meeting of the Kalihi-Palama Neighborhood Board, architect Russell Ito asked for the board's support of a planned expansion to the 4,000-square-foot church.

Ito had mailed letters to area residents about the expansion and announced a meeting for neighbors to voice any concerns. He said he got one call about the noise problems, from Ah Leong.

"I did mention to the church that they should be aware of the neighbors' complaints," Ito said, adding that he had suggested air conditioning and treated windows to cut down on the noise.

At the board's May meeting, Ah Leong spoke about noise problems and the petition going around the neighborhood. After the meeting, Anne Stevens, office manager for state Sen. Gordon Trimble, R-12th (Waikiki, Ala Moana, Downtown), helped Ah Leong get in touch with a police officer who could address his complaint. Ballard said HPD "will be assigning someone to meet with the church leaders to discuss the concerns of the neighborhood."

Reach Anna Weaver at aweaver@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2455.