In the eye of the storm

LCC walks alongside Hawaii church partners during challenging hurricane season fueled by El Niño

By Molly Poppe, LCC Correspondent

As Category 4 Hurricane Lala approached Hawaii in mid-August with 130 mph winds, residents across the islands sheltered in place. The eye skirted the state’s Big Island, but massive rainfall and high winds caused road washouts, mudflows, and widespread structure damage on Hawaii and Oahu.

Three weeks later, Category 3 Hurricane Lowell made a glancing blow to Niihau and Kauai, taking the lives of three people, knocking out power across the state, and damaging the seawall.

And just this week, Hurricane Nolo menaced offshore before taking a detour away from the island chain.

For LCC ministry partners Our Savior Aiea and Emmanuel Maui, the active tropical weather has brought damage to their buildings and challenges to their congregation and neighbors. But both churches didn’t have to wait long for assistance from Lutheran Church Charities, which called “within hours” and provided funding for repairs. 

On Sunday, August 16, Pastor Mitchell Gowen of Our Savior Lutheran Aiea postponed Sunday services, as did all churches on Oahu. Residents across the Hawaiian Islands sheltered in place, waiting for Hurricane Lala to pass. According to the US Geological Survey (USGA), the tropical storm was Hawaii’s third-wettest tropical cyclone on record, with some locations reporting more than 43 inches of rain and significant impact sacross the island chain. 
 
A gushing waterfall down the main school staircase greeted Pastor Gowen when he came to assess the damage at Our Savior. “One-third of the roof blew off the school … flooding two classrooms,” he shared. He and two church members patched the roof, knowing a permanent, durable fix would be top priority to come. Due to the 2026 El Niño, a “challenging” hurricane season isn’t over yet, Pastor Gowen predicted.
 
But he and the Our Savior congregation got funds from LCC for roof repairs. 

The relationship between Our Savior and LCC blossomed in August 2023 when the Maui wildfires hit. Fellow Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) congregation Emmanuel Lutheran Church on Maui didn’t have a pastor, and resources on an island were not easy to obtain. Pastor Gowen called LCC. “They put a team together and were there within a week.”
 
LCC donors’ generosity and commitment made an immediate action possible. “We cannot predict where God’s hands and feet will be needed,” said LCC President/CEO Rev. Chris Singer. “But because you continue to give, pray, and trust LCC, we are able to provide urgent funding where it will do the most good.”
 
The next few months will be difficult for the residents of Hawaii. The National Oceanic and Aeronautical Administration’s Central Pacific Hurricane Center outlook predicts a 70% chance of an above-normal season, and the USGS historical data confirms that Hawaii sees both more frequent tropical cyclones and more erratic storm tracks during El Niño years.
 
Pastor Eddie Hosch, installed at Emmanuel Maui in August 2024, remains concerned. Emmanuel is still providing much-needed care around Lahaina and the island as families rebuild homes and businesses, but it has been a painstakingly slow process. “Our partnership with LCC has helped us to stay actively engaged in the Lahaina community,” Hosch said. “The people of Maui have prevailed thus far, but they are tired,” he said.
 
Both Our Savior and Emmanuel hosted Rev. Singer earlier this year to lead Spiritual First Aid training. Pastor Gowen is thankful both for LCC’s quick response to disaster and thorough preparatory training. “LCC is … already thinking about what’s next,” shared Pastor Gowen.
 
Pray God will strengthen the people of Hawaii to know that they are in His hands through the hurricane season. Pray for opportunities for Emmanuel Lutheran Church and School and Our Savior Lutheran Church and School to share the mercy, compassion, and presence of Jesus Christ.