Church cutting costs, not corners

By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer

HAU'ULA — The members of the small, historic church Kamalamalama O Keao — the oldest Hawaiian chapel in Windward O'ahu — know how to stretch a dollar.

Kahu Raymond Kalili stands in the newly built pulpit of Kamalamalama O Keao in Hau'ula. The old pulpit was destroyed by termites. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

After raising $3,500 last year selling Hawaiian plate lunches, the church was able to recreate an exact replica of its pulpit, which had termite damage; rid the interior of mildew and paint it; and replace the termite-damaged floor under the pulpit at a cost of about $1,900.

"We try to keep it as original as possible," said Kahu Raymond Kalili Jr.

Despite estimates of $3,500 and $2,500 from private contractors to redo the pulpit, the congregation got the work done for $1,900, $100 more than the cost of the material.

"We did the estimate to find out," said Kalili, 63. "Oh, boy, they would take all our money. No more nothing."

But Kalili's 70-year-old uncle, who had been a carpenter and general contractor at one time, agreed to work for free, becoming one of many over the past year who have volunteered time, equipment and services to help restore and repair the historic building.

But the work is far from done.

Tomorrow, the congregation will try to raise additional money to replace termite damage and wood rot to the outside, hoping to replace one side of the approximately 20-foot by 15-foot building.

Last year, Aloha Termite & Pest Control and Gima Termite Control treated for free the church and another building on the property next to Sacred Falls State Park.

A painter dropped by to help. People from Kalihi got rid of the mildew. And Moses Kalili, the uncle, not only built the replica of the pulpit but helped construct 12 picnic tables that will be used at the fund-raiser tomorrow.

Of course, church members were always there as well, said Lenny Kalili, 60.

"Things just come," she said. "We don't expect it. They just come. We feel good, really thankful."

The tiny church is gearing up for another Hawaiian plate lunch fund-raiser, selling a 16-course meal for $10. Also on sale is kalua pig — but tickets are running out — shave ice and hot dogs.

Entertainment will be provided, and orchid plants will be available for sale.

The plate lunch will include kalua pig, chicken long rice, squid lu'au, lomi salmon, poke, raw crab, lomi 'o'io, opihi, poi, rice, salad, haupia, cake, fried fish, juice and loko, upon request, said Raymond Kalili.

Loko is prepared with the innards of pig mixed with belly pork and pig blood and cooked in the imu, he said, adding that not everyone likes it.

Last year, the benefit's 300 plate lunches were sold out by 1 p.m., but this year the group plans to prepare 500 to 600 plate lunches, Raymond Kalili said.

From left, Ah Han Silva, Steve Horibata and Terrence Gomes prepare the site of tomorrow's plate-lunch fund-raiser at the church. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

Last year, Raymond Kalili was told that the lumber would cost $108 for each piece because it would have to be specially milled to match the lumber used in 1932 when the church was built. Lumber sold today has different measurements.

But a local Windward lumber supplier is working to get the necessary material at a fraction of the cost, Raymond Kalili said.

The church needs 684 pieces just for the one side, and the supplier is talking about charging about $13 for an 8-foot piece, at a total cost of close to $9,000, he said. At $108 each, he would have paid about $74,800.

When Raymond Kalili became pastor 13 years ago, he recalled that the former kahu told him the church had selected him. He said he tries to fulfill his obligation to the members as well as to this historic building.

"This is a very slow process, but it's been there since 1932," he said. "We try do what we can."

Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com. or 234-5266.