Change is Here, But Our Commitment Remains
Aloha Faith Action ʻOhana,
There are seasons when an organization is called to pause, to grieve, and to imagine a new way forward.
This is another one of those seasons for Faith Action Hawaiʻi.
After careful discernment and in response to significant budget cuts, Faith Action Hawaiʻi is transitioning from a staffed organization with an Executive Director to a volunteer-based nonprofit. This is not a reflection of the value or impact of the work. Rather, it is a difficult response to the financial realities we are facing—and to the broader truths about what it means to be a faith-based organization.
Since 1996, Faith Action has been driven by a deep spiritual commitment to improve the quality of life for its members and all the people of Hawai‘i through finding common ground and building collective power. In recent years, in light of our capacity, Faith Action Hawaiʻi has focused on building bridges: connecting faith communities with organizations and movements working for justice in our local communities, especially communities and partners who have not historically had a connection with faith communities. We believe faith communities have a unique role to play in the work of building a more just Hawaiʻi—not by speaking for others, but by listening, learning, showing up, and adding our voices and resources alongside those already doing the work.
This transition brings with it a deep sense of sadness as we say a hui hou to our Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Estela Chao-Reza. 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 fully into its mission.
While we grieve what we are losing, we also hold hope for what can continue. The legacy of Faith Action Hawaiʻi lives not only in an office, a position, or a budget. Faith Action lives in people who have learned to see their faith as a call to justice. It lives in congregations willing to listen across differences. It lives in relationships built between faith communities and community organizations. It lives in the courage to speak up for our neighbors and to believe that a more just Hawaiʻi is possible.
We hope you will help us carry that legacy forward.
As we enter this new season, your generosity matters more than ever. A gift to Faith Action Hawaiʻi will help sustain the network, relationships, education, and faith-rooted advocacy that have been built over the years—and give our volunteer leaders the foundation they need to continue this work.
If Faith Action Hawaiʻi has ever helped you see your faith, your community, or our shared responsibility to one another in a new way, we invite you to invest in that vision.
We may be changing how we carry the work, but we are not giving up on the work.
Mahalo for walking with us, believing with us, and helping us carry this legacy into the future.
In faith and solidarity,
Faith Action Hawaiʻi
What This Means for Our Faith Communities
Faith Action Hawaiʻi has always believed that faith communities have an important role to play in building a more just Hawaiʻi. Our transition to a volunteer-based organization only emphasizes that belief.
In many ways, this new season invites us to return to the heart of our work: people connecting with people, communities learning from one another, and people of faith putting their values into action.
You may notice some changes in how Faith Action Hawaiʻi operates. With a volunteer-based structure, we will have fewer staff-led programs and activities, and our capacity will look different. But we hope to continue showing up, building collective power, and creating collaborative opportunities for faith communities to learn about issues affecting our neighbors, connect with community organizations, and find meaningful ways to partner in the work of justice.
We also hope this transition will invite more people to see themselves as part of Faith Action Hawaiʻi—not simply as supporters of an organization, but as participants in a movement.
If you are a congregation, faith leader, or person of faith who believes that our communities are stronger when we work together, there is a place for you here.
This next chapter will require all of us. It will take generosity, volunteer leadership, relationships, and a willingness to keep showing up for one another.
We are hopeful that what has been planted through Faith Action Hawaiʻi will continue to grow—not because one person or organization carries the work alone, but because we carry it together.
Stay Connected & Reach Out!
Want to keep up with our work, join upcoming events, or stay involved in the movement? Follow us on social media:
Instagram: @FaithActionHawaii
Facebook: Faith Action Hawaiʻi
Questions or Inquiries?
For any questions, partnerships, or general inquiries, please email us directly and our volunteer board members will do their best to respond:
Note: As Rev. Dr. Estela Chao-Reza transitions out of her role as Executive Director, the director@hifaithaction.org email address will no longer be regularly monitored as of September 1st. Please use the Board or Info emails above to ensure your message reaches us!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Faith Action Hawaiʻi transitioning to a volunteer-based organization?
Faith Action Hawaiʻi is responding to significant budget cuts that have made it necessary to transition from having a paid Executive Director to operating as a volunteer-based nonprofit. This is a difficult organizational decision, but it allows us to continue the mission and relationships that are at the heart of our work.
Does this mean Faith Action Hawaiʻi is ending?
No. While our structure is changing, our commitment to building a more just Hawaiʻi continues. We are entering a new season that will rely more deeply on the leadership, relationships, and participation of our faith communities and volunteers.
What has Faith Action Hawaiʻi accomplished?
Our work has focused on helping faith communities engage more deeply in issues of justice and connect with community organizations and movements. Over the last two years—highlighted in the photos—we have worked to educate, train, build relationships, and create opportunities for people of faith to bring their values and voices into collective efforts for a more just Hawaiʻi.
Why did Rev. Dr. Estela Chao-Reza leave?
We are deeply grateful for Rev. Dr. 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.
Why does Faith Action Hawaiʻi need financial support now?
This transition has made every contribution especially meaningful. Your generosity can help us maintain the relationships, education, advocacy, and network-building that have been cultivated over the years while we develop a sustainable volunteer-based model for the future.
Why do faith communities matter in this work?
Faith communities hold tremendous potential to be places of learning, compassion, courage, collective power, and action. We believe people of faith can bring a unique perspective to community efforts—not by speaking over others, but by listening, building relationships, showing up, and standing alongside organizations and communities already doing the work.
What gives you hope for the future?
We believe the legacy of Faith Action Hawaiʻi is bigger than any one staff position or organizational structure. It lives in the people who have been inspired to connect their faith with justice, in the relationships that have been built, and in the communities that continue to work toward a Hawaiʻi where everyone can thrive.
What gives you hope for the future?
We believe the legacy of Faith Action Hawaiʻi is bigger than any one staff position or organizational structure. It lives in the people who have been inspired to connect their faith with justice, in the relationships that have been built, and in the communities that continue to work toward a Hawaiʻi where everyone can thrive.
How can I help beyond making a donation?
There are many ways to help. You can invite your congregation or faith community into this work, volunteer your time and skills, host or participate in educational events, share Faith Action Hawaiʻi's work with others, and help us build bridges between faith communities and community organizations.
What will my donation support?
Your gift will help sustain Faith Action Hawaiʻi's core mission and provide resources for volunteer leadership, faith-community education, relationship building, communications, and opportunities for people of faith to engage in community efforts for justice.
How can I be part of this next chapter?
Stay connected. Join us. Give if you are able. Volunteer. Bring your faith community into the conversation. Help us continue planting seeds of justice, compassion, and solidarity across Hawaiʻi.
The structure may change. The work continues. And we hope you will continue to be part of it.
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