Aloha Kahalu’u Ward Ohana, As I prepare for my mission I often think about what it would be like serving the lord full-time. I am excited and nervous, but comforted to know that if I trust in the lord and seek his “will” I will be successful in my missionary work. I am sad to leave my family and friends but I know that this experience will become a strong foundation for the rest of my life. 3 Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work; 4 For behold t

Aloha Kahaluʻu Ward family! As the month of October comes to an end, I realized that I have about two months left before I begin my mission in Tokyo South, Japan. It's coming by fast and in preparation I've been reading the Book of Mormon like my life depends on it! In 2 Nephi 2:25, we read, “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.” I think it’s important to recognize that there’s a difference between temporary happiness and lasting joy. Sometimes

Sometimes in life, when you feel a profound or deep sense of loss, recovering your love and hope for the future, requires a shift in perspective. It requires moving oneʻs focus away from temporal events and anchoring it in God’s unchanging love and the reality of grace. Remember Your Own Need for Grace Reflecting on the fact that we all fail and need forgiveness helps melt away resentment and fosters empathy for others who stumble. In Romans 3:23 it states, "For all have sinn

Aloha. I'm Elder—Auwai. I'm Elder Hess, and yeah, we're stoked to give the message this week for the Kahaluu Ward. And I just wanted to start off with a scripture from 1 Nephi chapter 8, and it's verse 12. This is Lehi explaining his vision to his family, and he goes on to talk about this tree and how it tasted, and then also what happened after. And he goes: "And as I partook of the fruit thereof, it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirou

Aloha e Kahaluʻu Ward Family, One of the messages that stood out to me, from last week’s General Conference, came from Elder Alfred Kyunguʻs address, “Using the Language of Peacemakers.” In ward families, we are brought together from diverse backgrounds, personalities, and perspectives. Because we rub shoulders closely on a weekly basis (sometimes much more), misunderstandings can happen, and sometimes careless words or unmet expectations can cause hurt or offense. Elder Kyun

Aloha Kahalu'u Ward Ohana! It’s General Conference weekend—and somehow, it also happens to be fall break! Whew! After a hectic few months of weather, rain, flooding, and all the busyness that life seems to bring, I think many of us are feeling like we could all use a little break. And yet, maybe that’s exactly what makes General Conference such a gift. It gives us a chance to slow down, renew, and gather our families back to what matters most. It’s an opportunity to recenter

I used to drive a little Toyota Corolla not too long ago. One day I pulled into the parking lot at CPB Kalihi, and the whole lot was empty — not one other car. I parked in the stall closest to the bank entrance and started to get out. That's when this guy in a massive lifted truck pulls in and parks in the tiny stall right next to me. Not one of the dozen other open stalls. Right next to me. And he's a big guy too — so big that getting out of his truck meant squeezing and smu

Aloha e Kahaluʻu Ward Family, With all the storms passing near or through our islands this hurricane season, itʻs in our best interest to be prepared before any emergencies arrive. Like many of you, I recently started preparing or double checking our preparations. After sitting in the dark during the latest black out, we decided it was time to pick up a new generator. We ordered it, it came in, and I felt like I was ahead of the game for the next blackout. But during the mo

Aloha Kahaluʻu Ward, Coming off a family home evening focused on Proverbs and the timeless truth that "a soft answer turneth away wrath," our household discussion was lively, to say the least, and delightfully challenging to get through without a few raised voices. But we made it. Yet, it took only a few days before dear old dad needed a humbling reminder of the very lesson we had just preached. It is remarkably easy as parents to focus on how our children should behave, forg

Aloha Kahaluʻu Ward, As we close up this 3rd week of reading the psalms, I must say I have a different perspective of this book now. It has truly added to my daily prayers. So much more things to pray for and about. This book makes you think more about the daily things we go through. The blessings right before our very eyes. The hope that the is truly there. Those who had a hand in writing them were able to express their most inner thoughts and feelings. You can just feel the

Aloha Kahaluʻu Ward, This past week I had to travel to Yokosuka Naval Station in Japan for work. Leeah and Aden decided to tag along with me on this trip, so it became a nice time for us to spend time together with Aden knowing that he would soon be off on his mission soon and starting his journey into adulthood. On our first night, around 2 o'clock in the morning, we awoke to our hotel room rumbling and shaking side to side from an actual earthquake! I jumped out of bed a

Aloha Kahaluʻu Ward, Last weekend was mine and Jeff’s anniversary. it was also a wedding of our really good friend’s daughter, so we had the opportunity to spend our anniversary witnessing another couple starting their eternal journey together. I’m ashamed to admit that we have never spent our anniversary at the temple ( ashamed face emoji) but it was so special to sit there and be reminded of the promises that we made to each other and to God 18 years ago to the day. I am so

CHUCH IS CANCELED: Message from our Kaneohe Stake Presidency We have decided as a Stake Presidency to cancel all meetings tomorrow including all interviews. We also authorize all members to have sacrament at their homes. This decision is due to the impending hurricane. Mahalo President Ramanlal President Candari President Chong Our Stake Presidency has a great concern and love for you. As a Bishopric we are also concerned for your safety and well-being for you and all in

Aloha Kahaluʻu Ward, With the school year starting again, many of us are getting used to new schedules, activities, and responsibilities. Sometimes life can be stressful and we may wonder why we are put in certain situations or why some things happen to us. In the story of Esther, we’re reminded that the Lord has a place and purpose for each of us. Esther was put in a position where she had the chance to save her people. When she felt scared and was unsure what to do, Mordeca

Aloha e Kahaluʻu Ward Family, As summer winds down and turns into fall, our schedules go back to early mornings, school pickups, sports practices, and full calendars. It is easy to feel pulled in a dozen directions at once. I just wanted to take a moment to reflect on how fast the summer and first half of the year have gone, and how fast the moments in life seem to come and go. Sometimes we wish that certain periods could last forever, or that we could go back and redo thin

A-l-o-h-a, America recently celebrated it’s 250th birthday on 4 July 2026, marking the historical Semiquincentennial of the Declaration of Independence. America’s people celebrated the event with the largest modern maritime gathering. Others were amazed with the military fly-bys at many military installations, Veteran’s cemeteries and state capitols. Fireworks illuminated the skies from Washington to Maine, from California to Florida, including Alaska and our beautiful state

I’ve found that prayer can help refocus my day and deliver comfort when troubled. Please don’t underestimate the power or importance of continual prayer. A prayer of thanks in good times is just as important as a prayer when times are hard. In the 2026 April General Conference talk titled “Prayers for Peace,” Elder Eyring teaches the importance of prayer: “Opening the windows of heaven through fervent prayer does not require the use of many words or flowery language. Rather

As our nation celebrates its 250th anniversary this summer - and as the fireworks of Independence Day are still fresh in our memory - it is fitting to reflect on what has made America's light visible to the world: not its power or its wealth, but the character of its people. Ordinary men and women who believed in something worth sacrificing for, and who let that commitment show in how they lived. That same idea - that character is the truest light we can offer the world - is

Dear Brothers and Sisters, As we celebrate Independence Day, our hearts naturally turn to gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy. As Latter-day Saints, we recognize the hand of the Almighty which has been over this nation, creating this land of liberty. As we reflect on political freedom, I invite you to consider a deeper, more enduring freedom—the spiritual liberty restored to the Earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith. In the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord declared that He

Aloha ward family! On Friday night, I went to the Hollywood Bowl watch party for the “Songs of Hope” event with my mom. I had spent all day working and almost didn’t go, but when I saw Donny Osmond would be singing “Close Every Door to Me” and “I Am a Child of God,” I changed my mind, and I’m so glad I did! The music was SO beautiful and not your typical Tabernacle choir songs. But the overall message of HOPE was what stood out to me the most. It was exactly what the world ne

Many years ago, when I was the Primary chorister, I used to teach a special song for Fatherʻs Day. It talked about the three special fathers in our lives. These are the lyrics: The father of our home leads our family With wisdomʻs light in all thatʻs right; My fatherʻs good to me. The father of our ward tends with loving care Each memberʻs needs with kindly deeds; Our bishopʻs always there. And now weʻll sing great praise and revʻrently recall The Holy One who gave His So

Aloha Kahalu'u Ward Family, This week, we want to continue our invitation for our ward to come together in faith, fasting, and prayer for those in our ward family who are facing heavy trials. There is a unique spiritual strength that is unlocked when an entire congregation goes to the Lord collectively. In a recent General Conference, we were reminded of the deep impact of turning our hearts outward to help others through this sacred principle. President Henry B. Eyring share

In the final moments before His ascension, Jesus Christ gave His disciples what we call the "Great Commission." In Matthew 28:19-20, He commanded them: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…” This was a clear instruction for His disciples to spread the gospel far and wide. Jesus didn’t just tell them to go, He also gave them a

Aloha Ward Family, As we witness the joy of high school graduation season across Hawaii this week, it is hard not to be moved by the sight of our youth all covered in beautiful lei. Each one represents the love, prayers, and sacrifice of friends and family; care, wrapped around a child of God. While graduation marks a significant temporal milestone, it also brings a profound spiritual invitation. As our young people prepare to step out into the world—whether heading to colleg