Hawaii: A Good Witness of God’s Presence

A Good Witness of God’s Presence

The Pu’u Kahea Conference Center is located in Waianae, on the leeward side of the Hawaiian island of Oahu. Waianae is a community of native Hawaiians and has not experienced the commercialization and tourism as in other parts of Oahu. The Pu’u Kahea Center sits on 11 acres and has 11 buildings, including the Plantation Hale, the caretaker’s house and the equipment garage. The Facility Director and his wife, the Camp Administrator, are the only full-time staff. They depend heavily on the help of volunteers. They reopened the center in 2022, which had been closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

After contacting Baptists on Mission and being put in touch with the camp director, Wade and Carol Kirby served at Pu’u Kahea in February and March of 2025. They were the first couple to volunteer at Pu’u Kahea since its reopening. Since the facility had been closed and inoperable for over three years, much work was needed, including cleaning the buildings, washing and sanitizing bed linen and towels, general landscaping, and replacing toilets.

The Kirbys were tasked with preparing the Plantation Hale and the quadplex for an upcoming weekend conference. Duties included dusting, sweeping, and mopping the main floor of Hale Plantation and three of the five bunkrooms. Also, the quadplex apartments were prepared for the conference guests. The second week, the Kirbys helped prepare for an open house event held on Saturday. The objective of the open house was to generate interest and inform attendees that Pu’u Kahea was now open for use. The various Hawaii Baptist Church representatives well-attended the event. During the third and fourth weeks, the Kirbys completed landscaping chores, such as raking, weeding, and mowing. Carol was tasked with cleaning bed linens and towels from the other living quarters. The two large linen closets at Hale Plantation were thoroughly cleaned, sanitized, and restocked with fresh, clean sheets, bedspreads, and towels. The two large outdoor utility closets were also reorganized.

The local community is aware of the Pu’u Kahea Conference Center. The Kirbys always wore their bright orange Hawaii Partnership t-shirts when going to local grocery stores and restaurants. Several locals expressed their appreciation for the Kirbys’ presence in the community. Bookings for the Center are increasing, with hopes that local churches will utilize the Center. Pu’u Kahea is a good witness of God’s presence in the Community.

Baptists on Mission’s Hawaii Partnership offers couples the opportunity to make a real difference in the spiritual lives of Hawaii Baptists through service at Pu’u Kahea. The work is not easy. Couples should be in good physical condition, self-starters, and willing to work hard. They should also be willing to commit one month of service at the camp. The work is also very rewarding, and most of all deeply enjoy the opportunity to contribute. If you are interested in serving, start by contacting Mark Abernathy.

Learn more here.