What better place for choirs to join together to celebrate the third annual Aloha Hymn Festival than in the oldest church of Hawaii? The Kawaiaha'o church in Honolulu, once the church home of the Ali'i (kings and/or queens) of Hawaii, became the place where the voice and bell choirs of Hawaiian Mission Academy and Hawaiian Mission Elementary and Intermediate School joined with choirs of the Kawaiiaha'o church and various guest artists in singing the great hymns of the Christian church.

With the 14,000 massive stone and coral slabs that make up the church structure, the walls scattered with 21 portraits of former kings and queens of Hawaii, the royal pews (vacant since the end of the monarchy), and the 2,500-pipe Aeolian-Skinner organ, this "church of the chiefs" is often called the Westminster Abbey of Hawaii. This prominent historic church was dedicated in 1842 on the site of the first church established by missionaries who came to Hawaii in 1820. The Hawaiian kings and queens accepted Christianity very early and King Kamehameha III was a major contributor to the building fund. Its cornerstone holds a copy of the complete Bible in the Hawaiian language, just off the press at that time.

James Woods, music director for both HMA and HMEI, felt that this festival would be a wonderful gift to the community. "I thought that this church with its wonderful acoustics, inspiring architectural beauty and historical significance should now have another tradition in its history," he explained.

Woods approached the director of music and organist at the church, Buddy Nalua'i, about this joint festival. Nalua'i, a graduate of HMA, and Woods worked together on the festival that would feature talent as diverse as the Samoan Gospel Heralds, well-known gospel singer Star Williams, trombonist Duane Hilliard, the Kawaiolaonapukanileo Vocal Ensemble, the Halau Hula O Kawaiaha'o, and the church and school choirs.

The program included opportunities for the congregation of approximately 1,500 to sing some of the great hymns. "It was so inspiring to hear the voices and the organ resound with not only Wayne Hooper's ‘We Have This Hope,' but also two very well-known Hawaiian hymns — ‘Nu Oli,' and ‘Ho'ola Nani' (Fairest Lord Jesus)," said Woods.

The HMEI Elementary Choir sang a medley of early Advent hymns and the first- and second-graders included a song about David and Goliath, which Woods arranged for the occasion. Throughout the program, Curtis Kekuna, the senior pastor of the Kawaiaha'o Church, and other staff members narrated.

"That was one impressive afternoon," said one student participant. "You could feel God's spirit; you could hear the angels singing with us. I don't think I'll ever forget it."