October 8, 2026 Minister’s Message

Aloha, mai kākou,

October is off to a rousing start with our Hope for Us workshops and Sunday service, grounding us in the compassion and dignity of deep listening and understanding. Our work to ground ourselves, heal, and strengthen our relationships within this beloved congregation strengthens our ability to reach out and spread compassion, justice, and joy beyond our walls.

This is a powerful month of UU Honolulu partnering, collaborating, lifting, and protecting. Our continuous support of homeless centers, food distribution, and more expands with:

Witness for Immigrants
> Reaching out to media, congregants, and friends to demonstrate at the Federal Detention Center
> Gathering at 9:30 am at St. Elizabeth’s on King Street to bus to the center
> Demonstrating at against ICE October 10th at 10 am on the sidewalk at FDC.
> Networking with others to continue standing up for immigrant rights together.

Lead The Vote is Sacred Campaign engaging Oahu Faith Communities
> Working with partners TIAH (The Interfaith Alliance Hawai‘i) and HCAN (Hawai‘i Action Network)
> Follow up on our September “Break Bread” luncheon with October 16 Faith Feast.
> Assembling a database of 200+ leaders and representatives of Oahu faith communities
> Creating and delivering invitations, T-shirts, Immigration Rights and Ballot Plain Language Guides
> Hosting the event at our church, serving the dinner feast
> Leading the Feast program with TIAH and HCAN

Support PRIDE Month
> Pledging our 100% contribution plate to the LGBTQ+ Legacy Foundation,
> Gathering to support the PRIDE march October 17 near the end at the Waikiki Shell
> Hosting a PRIDE Festival booth with face painting, heartfelt hugs, games, prizes, and distributing our guest speaker Nico Lang’s book, American Teenager: How Trans Kids Are Surviving Hate and Finding Joy in a Turbulent Era.

Special Pleasure for Me!
It is super busy!  But later today, I will start a few days’ break as my youngest daughter, Blake, and her husband, Mario, arrive for a week-long vacation. During the depth of COVID, Blake and Mario met and decided to marry. I flew to NY, where I am licensed to perform weddings. We married them in a tiny COVID-style backyard ceremony. (See Picture) I am so lucky! Not every mother gets to do premarital counseling with her daughter and son-in-law-to-be, conduct their marriage, and hear their beautiful pledges! I savored it and love being with them in Brooklyn and when they come here. I am hoping they will come to church with me on Sunday to see and hear Pastor Keola and Gabe celebrate Dolly and Pride!

I am delighted and proud of the openhearted support our community gives to each other and beyond!

Mahalo nui,

Rev. Deborah