Ahistoric gilded gold leaf sign, “Ua La‘a No Iehova” (Dedicated to God), was recently uncovered and reclaimed after it was hidden from view for 90 years on the back wall of Haili Church in downtown Hilo.
The sign, which was put on the wall behind the choir loft in the late 1800s, was removed from view in the late 1920s during alterations to the church’s pipe organ.
Kahu Brian Welsh had discovered the sign early on in his ministry at the church, which began in 2003, and decided to do some research. He found that a man known as “Blind Deacon Kawaha” had used his own monies to put a visual reminder of the church’s mission and vision.
“That all may see that the place is dedicated to the Lord, even if my old eyes cannot look upon the words,” Kawaha reportedly said at the sign’s original dedication, “But my heart is established thereon, and that the young generation may reverence the name of Iehova.”
The simple, yet profound message, inspired a generation of Hawaiians in their Christian faith until the large pipes of the new organ covered the wall in 1929.
It wasn’t until 2019, when the pipe organ underwent a massive upgrade and renovation by Specialist James Gruber, that the sign was finally revealed and cut out of the wall in order to preserve it.
In order to restore the sign to its original purpose, local artist Miles Sumida framed it in curly koa and it was re-hung at the rear of the sanctuary.
The sign was covered and then revealed during the Haili Church Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, where Kahu Welsh and the church Diaconate revealed the sign in its authentic glory and message.
A formal dedication followed on Dec. 29 with a Hawaiian oli by Kumu Moses Crabbe and anointing during the church’s end-of-the-year Unity Service.
The members of Haili Church welcome and encourage the community to come worship and be inspired by this historic sign during regular Sunday services.
For more information, visit http://hailichurch.org.