Under the leadership of Father George DeCosta, Malia Puka O Kalani Catholic Church blossomed as a pastorally vibrant community on the Big Island noted for its outreach to the poor, sick, and unchurched persons, as well as the native Hawaiian community. The parish was best known for its annual sponsorship of the Big Island Liturgy and Arts Conference (BILAC) that attracted prominent artists, musicians, liturgists, and clergy from around the world to the Big Island. In 2003, conservative Catholic Bishop Francis DiLorenzo announced the retirement of Father DeCosta and the appointment of an interim pastor, Rev. Scott R. Bush, for the parish, effectively ending an era of pastoral ministry and outreach, as well as sponsorship of the BILAC conferences.
DeCosta started a new Catholocism-based church, where the outreach program to the homeless (specifically in the economically devastated Fern Forest area of Puna, Hawaii) continues at Hale Lokahi in Volcano Village.
As it turns out, our wedding coordinator is a member of Hale Lokahi and it is here, at Sunday service, where we first met her. She drives 100 miles every Sunday to come here. We were very impressed with how warm and non-traditional this church is. In spreading love and helping the poor, they are adhering closely to what Jesus preached. During service they gave Melanie and I a blessing and sang the Hawaiian Wedding Song to us. It was their potluck day -- they invited us for lunch -- we had a fantastic meal with these very nice people.
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