Faith Action for Community Equity

14/09/2026

What are the impacts of the military in Hawai‘i? As people of faith, why should we care?

The HCUCC Justice & Witness Missional Team invites all to their monthly meeting to learn more on September 15 at 7:00 p.m., Hawaiʻi time, on Zoom.

Hear a presentation by Kyle Kajihiro who is known for his work on demilitarization.

Join on Zoom: https://bit.ly/jw0915

14/09/2026

Giving thanks for Rev. Dr. Estela Chao-Reza and her time with Faith Action as Executive Director!

In March 2024, after over a year without staff and discerning whether to close the org or be Faith Action in a new way, our Board decided to search for a Director and see what more we could do. We are glad Estela found us and we were excited to welcome her to the team.

Over the past two years, she has poured her leadership, faith, relationships, and heart into this work. She understood the challenges of our organization from the start and still chose to partner with us through much uncertainty. We are grateful for the seeds she has planted, the relationships she has nurtured, and the ways she has helped Faith Action Hawaiʻi continue to live into its mission.

Our last post shared about the recent transition which brings a sense of sadness as we say a hui hou to Rev. Estela as our Director. While there is grief and regret, there is even deeper appreciation and hope.

Mahalo, Rev. Estela! 🌺

12/09/2026

UPDATE: Faith Action has been around since 1996. A lot has changed since our organization was established, but we continue to honor our history and believe in what people of faith can, and must, do together.

We find ourselves in a tough season where we must pause, grieve, and imagine a new way forward. After careful discernment and as a result of our financial realities, Faith Action Hawaiʻi is transitioning from a staffed organization to a volunteer-based nonprofit.

👉View the full update: https://bit.ly/FACEtransition2026

We are deeply grateful for Rev. Dr. Estela Chao-Reza’s leadership over the past two years. Her departure is a result of our financial circumstances and lack of funding to sustain staff—not a reflection of her leadership, dedication, or impact. We are grateful for the relationships she strengthened and the seeds she planted, and we say a hui hou with nothing but deep appreciation and hope.

We may be changing how we carry the work (our capacity will be even more limited), but we are not giving up on the work.

In this new season, we will rely more deeply on the leadership, relationships, and participation of our faith communities and volunteers… YOU! We hope to continue showing up, building collective power, and collaborating in meaningful ways to partner in the work of justice.

29/07/2026

Grief and hope lived side by side today.

Today our Executive Director, the Rev. Dr. Estela Chao-Reza, shared in the reading of names of people whose lives were taken after encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Every name represented a life that mattered and a community forever changed. Sixty-four empty chairs were set up in memory of each person.

Today we also celebrated the signing of new Hawaiʻi laws that strengthen due process protections for immigrants and expand access to visas—a reminder that change is possible.

We cannot stay silent, and we cannot let these lives be forgotten. May we honor their memory by continuing the work for justice.

Mahalo to all those who advanced legislation to protect our immigrant neighbors this session.

July 28, 2026 - Hawai‘i State Capitol

01/06/2026

18/05/2026

In a three-hour service on Saturday, May 16, 2026, following the 78th anniversary of the ongoing Nakba (“catastrophe” in Arabic), we shared from our various faiths and spoke aloud the names of 968 individuals under one year old and 262 journalists killed in Gaza between October 2023 to July 2025.

Grateful to gather as people of faith and conscience to hold space, to remember and honor the lives taken, to know we are not alone in our grief, to allow the magnitude of loss to move us.

While our Community Vigil for Peace centered around Gaza where over 75,000+ have been killed since October 2023, our thoughts and prayers include all who have been maimed, murdered, held captive around the world.

We affirm our shared commitment to peace, justice, and the dignity of every human life.

View the live stream: https://www.youtube.com/live/EALyCjP3pmg?si=uA_y976ZXWVTFNFi

15/05/2026

Join us for a Community Vigil for Peace on Saturday, May 16, 3-6 PM in the Sanctuary at Central Union Church of Honolulu.

This interfaith service will include a speaking of the names of people who have been killed in Gaza, interspersed with prayers and readings by representatives of various faith traditions.

Join, as you’re able, to mourn and honor the lives lost. Come and leave as needed.

May our grief be transformed into collective action for peace and justice.

🕊️ Community Vigil for Peace
🗓️ Saturday, May 16, 2026
⏰ 3:00-6:00 PM
📍 Central Union Church (1660 S. Beretania Street, Honolulu)
🅿️ Free parking available on campus
🚏 Bus stop along Beretania Street

The service will also be live streamed: bit.ly/vigil4peace

07/05/2026

A great opportunity for community and learning on FOUR islands: O‘ahu, Kaua‘i, Maui, Hawai‘i (Hilo)

29/04/2026

Join us tomorrow to honor the Negros 19 in grief and solidarity.
📍Thomas Square
925 S Beretania St. Honolulu, HI 96814
⏰ 6:30- 7:30 PM
Justice for the Negros 19!
Justice for Lyle Prijoles! Justice for Kai Sorem! Justice for RJ Nichole Ledesma! Justice for Alyssa Alano! Defend Negros! Cancel Balikatan! End U.S. military aid to the Philippines! U.S. out of the Philippines!