Members of the Honolulu Japanese church and their guests celebrated the opening of the recently remodeled Cooper Hall in two ceremonies in late May and early June.
The Japanese Adventist church held its first church service in Cooper Hall in 1967, but the building itself had already become a monument of importance in Honolulu. Cooper Hall was erected in 1895 by Judge Cooper, who was a major figure in the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy. He built the structure initially as a residential mansion, constructing it largely from granite that was carried from Australia as ballast on ships. The ships exported sandalwood to Australia for perfume, art, medicines, and furniture.
"It is so beautiful," many of the hundreds in attendance at the ceremonies commented. Outgoing senior pastor, Lyle Arakaki, and pastor Richard Among untied the maile lei, to signify the completion of the renovation. Some of the members, including charter member Amy Obata, recalled the first church service forty years earlier.
During the opening ceremonies and the fellowship meal afterward, members talked about charter members Teruo Funai and John Tamanaha, who, in 1967, coordinated volunteers in raising steel beams in Cooper Hall and installing massive prefabricated wooden beams in the sanctuary. These gentlemen, and others, are still active members of the current congregation. The recent renovation saw many of these original workers, and a large cadre of current members, volunteering many Sundays to assist with the reconstruction work.
Before Adventists bought Cooper Hall, it was a Baptist college. When the college ran into financial difficulties in the 1960s, it was put up for sale by auction. Harold Kono, then Japanese Church pastor, has often told how, believing the hall would be a beacon of light to the community, he bid beyond the church-approved limit. Cooper Hall served the growing congregation as the primary worship facility until the current sanctuary was completed in 1969.
Over the years this building has been a resource for Sabbath School classes of all ages, youth social activities, weddings and other celebrations, a variety of classes, cooking demonstrations, health screenings, church socials and weekly Sabbath potlucks.
Church leaders plan to expand upon this tradition of community service. Three committees—a Lifestyle and Health Committee, a Spiritual Life Committee and a Functions Committee—are each seeking God's will in conceptualizing a vision for utilizing Cooper Hall as a premier resource for service and ministry to the larger community.
