WELCOME
FAITH
ACTION
HAWAIʻI
to
CURRENT MESSAGE FROM OUR BOARD PRESIDENT
Dear Faith Action Friends and Supporters,
As we turn towards a new season, as fall begins to unfold before us in Hawaiʻi, we may not always see or feel the seasonal weather changes, but they are happening. I am reminded that about this time of year, many of us are hitting that wall of emotional and physical exhaustion. This is perfectly normal, especially within a society that perpetuates an unhealthy cycle to produce more and more. Thus, the need to rest and find balance. In my spiritual tradition we call this the sabbath.
The sabbath is created by the the divine One as a gift for all humanity and all creation. This ancient gift of sabbath is a holy tool that breaks up such destructive rhythms and restores balance to the human life. It reclaims the human life, shall we say. It sets it back on track and in balance. It restores the mind, body and soul. It opens up, space for those who live with abundance, with additional resources, with disposable income. It gives those who have power and privilege to attend to those in need, to the have-nots, to work for justice, to ensure that all people have the same gift of sabbath as well.
For this reason, we, as the board of Faith Action have advanced in this goal. It is my pleasure and excitement to announce Rev. Dr. Estela Chao-Reza as our full-time Director of Faith Action Hawaiʻi. She comes to us with great theological and pastoral underpinnings and a heart for justice and equity that will be impacting for her role. We believe Estela embodies the values of Faith Action: Faith, Justice, Equity and Boldness.
We are excited for this upcoming season as Estela leans into her new role with us and surely, you will hear from her at some point. We as your board are well aware of the arduous journey we have walked through for the past year and half. And today we get to celebrate the turning of the page into a new season of service for the poor, mistreated, and abused. Faith Action will continue to speak up with boldness in the name of Creator who is in favor of humanity, of all creation. As our new mission statement says, “Compelled by our faith, we will act justly and speak boldly for all of the divineʻs creation in Hawaiʻi.”
Please join us in welcoming Estela and thank you always for your support and participation. Part of the next steps into the future will be to rebuild partnership with churches, faith communities and other organizations, and non-profits who align with our heart and mission to serve the people of Hawaiʻi. If you are interested in exploring this further please email us at info@hifaithaction.org.
These are good times, exciting times to be people of faith in a world that needs people to stand in solidarity, to give dignity to every human person, calling the people of faith to a deeper level of spiritual and social solidarity with the underbelly of the world. We are part of the flow!
Seeing the Creator in all things,
Pastor Moses
The Rev. Dr. Moses D.Barrios, Faith Action Hawaiʻi Board President
Rev. Dr. Estela Chao-Reza has over ten years of experience in local church ministry, spiritual care, and community engagement. She has lived in numerous states and countries and has practical knowledge of marginalized urban and multicultural communities in various contexts. Growing up in an immigrant household surrounded by family and neighbors cultivated genuine hospitality, thus igniting a passion for connecting people and working toward social justice in every community. Estela holds a Bachelor's degree in urban studies, a Master's degree in Intercultural Studies, and a Doctorate in Spiritual Formation. She is an ordained Elder in her local church. Her dissertation, "Addressing Racism within the Church: Moving Towards Restorative Justice," reflects her dedication to promoting hospitality. She loves traveling and visiting her family with her husband, Micah. She enjoys sipping on a refreshing matcha latte or indulging in a robust cup of coffee while chatting with friends. In her free time, she loves knitting and unwinding with a good book at the beach.
You can reach Estela at director@hifaithaction.org
FOLLOW US & SUBSCRIBE
UPCOMING ADVOCACY
EMPTY HOMES TAX [PRESENTED BY HiHAC]
(Hawaiʻi Housing Affordability Coalition)
How can the Empty Homes Tax help with affordable housing?
While housing is increasingly purchased as investments rather than
being used to house our local community, ownership and rental costs rise. Money generated from the Empty Homes Tax can help alleviate the cost burdens associated with housing.
Come learn about the tax in a presentation by HiHAC (Hawai‘i Housing Affordability Coalition) and see how we can support this effort to get more of Hawai‘i housed!
Thursday, July 25, 2024 (6:00 - 7:30 PM)
Central Union Church, Women's Building
1660 S. Beretania Street
Please join us! RSVPs are appreciated but not required.
Sponsored by HiHAC in partnership with Central Union Church Community Ministry - Housing Now! still in action
While our organization has been undergoing transition over the past year and a half, and we've had to pause much of our primary work due to a lack of staffing, members have continued to put their faith in action.
Our Housing Now! task force joined with others in the community and are working toward affordable housing as a coalition. Check out their website, hihousing.org, and learn a bit more about the Empty Homes Tax.
PAST ADVOCACY
ADVOCATE TO PROTECT HEALTH CARE ACCESS FOR TRANS AND OTHER GENDER EXPANSIVE YOUTH AND PARENTS
Aloha e,
HB 2079 is essentially a gender-affirming care sanctuary bill: it would protect health care access for trans and other gender expansive youth as well as their parents/guardians. As anti-trans vitriol and legislation gains traction throughout the US continent, we need to be prepared to defend against outside states who might try to prosecute families and providers in our islands for accessing gender-affirming care.
This bill has been passed out of the Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives, but it is losing steam in the Senate. It has two referrals, each to two committees (Senate Committee on
Health and Human Services + Commerce and Consumer Protection, then Judiciary + Ways & Means). We are asking our supporters to contact the Chairs of the first two committees so that we can get the bill moving towards success.
Please feel free to copy and paste the following message (and add edits/personal comments if you would like) and email it to Senator San Buenaventura (Chair of the Senate's Health and Human Services) & Senator Keohokalole (Chair of the Senate's Commerce and Consumer Protection).
Here are their email addresses:
sensanbuenaventura@capitol.hawaii.gov
senkeohokalole@capitol.hawaii.gov
Subject Line:
Requesting a Hearing for HB 2079 - RELATING TO HEALTH
Aloha Chair San Buenaventura, and Chair Keohokalole,
I am writing to you today to respectfully ask that you give HB 2079 a hearing.
HB 2079 seeks to allow telehealth prescriptions as part of gender-affirming health care services, which would greatly benefit lesser served communities in our islands. The bill also expands the protections for our residents and health care providers from out of state laws and court actions targeting transgender healthcare.
HB 2079 is needed to protect our beloved transgender community members, ‘ohana, and health care professionals that provide gender-affirming care. Our youth deserve nothing less.
Mahalo nui loa,
INSERT YOUR NAME & ZIP Code
After doing that, if you have time and want to do more - PLEASE call their office and ask that they give HB 2079 a hearing. If you get voicemail please leave a message stating your name and city/zip code.
Senator San Buenaventura - 808-586-6890
Senator Keohokalole - 808-587-7215
COME, LEARN FROM TWO YOUNG JEWISH AMERICANS
SATURDAY, MARCH 9TH @ 4PM
ISRAELISM uniquely explores how Jewish attitudes towards Israel are changing dramatically, with massive consequences for the region and for Judaism itself. Two young American Jews are raised to defend the state of Israel at all costs. When they witness Israel's mistreatment of the Palestinian people with their own eyes, they are horrified and heartbroken.
Date: Saturday, March 9th @ 4pm - 7pm
Location: Central Union Church, 1660 S. Beretania, Honolulu
Faith Action will be sponsoring the event and in partnership with Jewish Voice for Peace. A panel from the film will be sharing thoughts after the screening. The documentary screening will be free. For more information please vist israelismfilm.com
OUR VALUES
JUSTICE
FAITH
EQUITY
BOLDNESS
OUR MISSION
Compelled by our faith, we will act justly and speak boldly for all of the divine's creation in Hawaiʻi.
