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

Aloha Kahalu’u ohana! As graduation season fills our homes and hearts, I’ve been thinking about all of our graduates and the exciting opportunities ahead of them. Life opens up with so many choices, possibilities, directions, and voices competing for our attention. It’s exciting—but sometimes overwhelming too. Recently, my mom got a new smart TV for the living room. Now she has access to all her favorite channels and streaming services—Disney+, Hulu, YouTube, and more. But wi

Aloha Kahalu'u Ward Ohana! Between the wild weather and everything life keeps throwing at us, I pray you, your families, and your homes are safe, and that through it all, you all had a restful weekend. I've rotated different quotes on my medicine cabinet mirror pretty much my entire adult life. Scriptures, reminders, things I need to see every day. One that's been up there recently was: "Stop complaining. Solve the problem." Simple, blunt, and the more I thought about it, the

Mother’s Day Message Is there any message more important this week than that of mothers? I don’t think so. Motherhood is one of God’s holiest callings — full of compassion, wisdom, and, let’s be honest, a good dose of patience for knuckleheaded kids. As Isaiah 66:13 says, “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.” And in my case, that comfort once came in the form of… creative divine intervention. Back in high school, my brother and I went to South Carolina and

Aloha Ward Family, In this weekʻs Come, Follow Me lesson, we explore the theme of "Holiness to the Lord." It’s a powerful reminder that while the ancient Israelites built a physical Tabernacle to house the Spirit of the Lord, we are called to build lives that also do the same. In Leviticus 19, the Lord gives a simple yet profound command: "Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy." What’s beautiful about this chapter is that the "holiness" spoken of isn't just about

Hi Kahalu'u Ward, My name is Aden Tano and I'm the new Priest Quorum 1st Assistant so I was told that I have to write a message to the ward. Umm... a few weeks ago, my family went on a trip to Japan. We had an amazing time touring different cities, eating good food, and enjoying the Japanese culture. While on my phone, I saw a social media post pop up that quoted a Japanese legend. It goes like this: If you get on the wrong train Get off at the nearest station The longer it

Life often asks us to be patient in ways we don’t immediately understand. Growth, answers, and even peace don’t always come instantly—they come over time, through trust and steady effort. Faith is a lot like waiting with quiet confidence, even when you don’t yet see the result. As for example this past week was our ward conference and for zone 1 we went fishing. When we all went out to fish with our fishing poles we didn’t expect to catch something the moment the line hits th

Aloha Kahalu’u Ward!! As we head into our ward conference, I took some time to ponder the theme for our ward conference this year: (Matthew 11:28-30) Focussing on the invitation to strengthen gospel teachings in the home. Just to prepare myself to be taught by the spirit through our Stake leaders this Sunday. I love how the Savior here says, “Come…”. No matter what, just “Come”. Let’s begin with that. This is an invitation to accept Him. To encourage me to move forward towar