‘Praying for recovery’: Small Waiohinu church left devastated after Hurricane Lala

WAIOHINU (HawaiiNewsNow) - WAIOHINU (HawaiiNewsNow) - It’s been nearly a month since Hurricane Lala hit Hawaii Island, and some rural Kau communities are still reeling from its impacts. The Kauahaao Congregational Church in Waiohinu was established in 1841, and served as a symbol of faith in the town for generations. “We’re a small community membership church, but we have a lot of faith in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. We don’t let things like this slow us down,” kahu Debbie Wong Yuen said. Named after the Haao rains that fell over the area, the church sat right in the path of the devastating floods from Hurricane Lala. “When I first saw it the day after from pictures that were sent to me, I couldn’t help but cry and every time I talk to someone, I just spoke for a little bit and I’m breaking down crying,” Wong Yuen said. Inside the sanctuary, furniture, community spaces and priceless artifacts sit ruined by the floodwaters.

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