PUHI — The tsunami warning this week gave special meaning to the Seventh Annual Mayor’s Prayer Luncheon, Saturday, at the Kilohana Estates pavilion.
More than 700 people representing some 40 churches on Kaua‘i came together to offer prayers for the people of Japan and give thanks that Kaua‘i was mostly unscathed by the tsunami.
“People from around the island and Ni‘ihau joined together in leading beautiful worship music, and in offering sincere prayers for the families, schools, businesses, governments, military, and churches of our islands,” said Mark Beeksma, chair of the luncheon. “Prayers were also offered for the people of Japan in their present time of suffering.”
Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr., leading several of the prayer focuses and musical numbers, said he is grateful Kaua‘i did not suffer the magnitude of damage from the tsunami which affected other parts of the state and devastated Japan.
“We escaped harm this time,” he said. “But this just demonstrates the need for being prepared.”
Kaua‘i’s people are still recovering from the effects of the tsunami warning which first sounded Thursday night and extended until almost noon Friday when the mayor issued the “all clear” for the island.
A similar tsunami alert last year pulled the island together the weekend of the Mayor’s Prayer Luncheon. That tsunami, which was prompted by an earthquake in Chile in February 2009, also left Kaua‘i untouched.
The tsunami this year resulted from a big earthquake north of Tokyo, Japan. Kaua‘i’s residents and visitors were up for most of Thursday night and Friday morning.
“We have much to be thankful for,” said Millie Ah Hee, while chatting with Kaua‘i County Council member Dickie Chang in the buffet lunch line.
Hundreds of people in Japan died from both the quake and the resulting wave that washed over portions of the country.
Psalm 86.9 — “All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and shall glorify Your name” — served as the theme of this year’s luncheon. It formed the basis of the keynote address delivered by Krish Dhanam of Zig Ziglar Corporations.
That message was described by Beeksma as “inspiring, entertaining and challenging.”
The All Church Choir and Kaua‘i Bible Church Orchestra, under the direction of Pastor David Leong, and Na Wahine Hula Ho‘ano O Kaua‘i with Kumu Donna Lei Kirkpatrick serving as director punctuated the morning with music.
Carvalho opened the prayer focus with a prayer for government, judiciary and law enforcement. This was followed by Pastor Tammey FaFord of Tammey’s Flowers and Gifts praying for businesses and the tourism industry.
Pastor Alexander Young offered a prayer for the military and David Braun, the Waimea Canyon Middle School band director, offered a prayer for education, schools and youth.
Pastor Bob Hallman of the Calvary Chapel Kaua‘i prayed for churches and church ministries, and Kahu Kauwila Pahulehua of Ho‘omana ‘ia Iesu of Ni‘ihau offered a prayer for marriage and families.
“This year’s Mayor’s Prayer Luncheon was just another wonderful chance for brothers and sisters from most of the churches on Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau to gather together to share our love and faith with one another,” Beeksma said. “I greatly appreciate the all-volunteer group which worked so hard to make this annual event such an encouraging time of prayer, worship and fellowship.”
