Our History "The Beginning...Trinity's History"

Rev. Richard Peterson: 1965-1966

Late in 1964, leaders of the major Protestant denominations in the Honolulu Council of Churches gave the green light to the Methodist Church, asking them to establish a church for the Pacific Palisades community.  At this time, Hawaii was a mission and not yet a district in the Pacific and Southwest Annual Conference.

In June 1965, the Hawaii Mission of the Methodist Church, led by Dr. Frank Butterworth, appointed the Rev. Richard Peterson to organize a Methodist congregation for the Pacific Palisades community.  Rev. Peterson had been pastor at Parker Methodist Church and served as Chairman of the Board of Missions of the Hawaii Mission of the Methodist church. The first planning meeting took place at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Yuh on Sept. 17, 1965.

In addition to the Yuh’s and Rev. and Mrs. Peterson, present were Mrs. Richard Baldewin and Mr. and Mrs. Lee Adcock.  The first meeting to deal with the actual beginning of worship took place November 4, 1965, at the home of Peterson’s. Present were Rev. and Mrs. Peterson, Mrs. Richard Baldewin, Mr. and Mrs. Santiago Agcaoili, Mr. and Mrs. Larry Nakasone and Stanley Yuh. Arrangements were made to use Palisades Elementary School on Kamehameha Highway for Sunday morning worship service. The first service of worship was held there on Sunday, December 5, 1965.  Thirty people were present.  The Church School began Sunday December 12, 1965, with 39 presents.

Rev. David J. Twigg: 1966 – 1968

On December 27, 1965, it was announced at a service at Harris Memorial Methodist Church that Bishop Gerald Kennedy had appointed David J. Twigg as the new pastor for Trinity to be effective on Feb. 1, 1966.  Rev. Peterson was appointed as Administrator of Desert Crest Home in Phoenix, Arizona. Dr. Butterworth, who made the announcement of the appointment, also announced that the church would be formally organized on January 2, 1966. In his conference report for 1966, Rev. David Twigg stated “Trinity is more than a history of dates and events.  It is the joy and hope of a young congregation coming alive with the support of fellow congregations”.

Rev. Lawrence Bjorklund: 1968-1972

The membership of Trinity grew and by 1969 there was a total of 121 members.  Weekly services were held at Pearl City Elementary School, but it was evident that it was time for the new church to begin building a home of its own.  Setting up for Sunday morning worship was quite a job as various members unloaded hymnals from their car trunks, the organ was pulled out from behind the stage and the cafeteria was transformed into the House of the Lord.  Plans were made to “break Ground” for the new building on the corner of Waimano Home Road and Komo Mai Drive in November of 1969. Jerry and Carol Walters oversaw planning this most meaningful groundbreaking which included all leaders of the church and district. Members of the community were present as the active Fishermen’s club of Trinity had passed out 600 leaflets to the community.

During this time Trinity became quite active in mission and outreach.  They regularly supported a “Banana Patch Family” in Pearl City.  One of our youth, Joan Hamasu, traveled on a work team to Samoa and each year we participated in the dinner for the dependents of the Armed Forces at the YMCA. The First Sunrise Service on our own property was held in 1969. A cross was erected on the corner and after the service breakfast was service at the parsonage. 

Trinity’s multi-purpose building was completed in 1970, and members made the transition by beginning morning worship at Pearl City Elementary School and then concluding the worship at our permanent building on Waimano Home and Komo Mai Drive on July 26, 1970.

On October 10, 1971, forty Samoan families formed the Trinity Samoan Congregation under the leadership of Vaise Alailima.  They had a separate language service as well as monthly joint services with the English-speaking congregation.

Rev. Sung Wai Kim: 1972-1975

Rev. Sung Wai “Kimbo” Kim, formerly pastor of Palolo United Methodist Church, arrived at Trinity with his family on July 1, 1972.  

The dreams of Trinity in the form of the educational building came true in 1974 and the multi-purpose building was mor comfortable on Sunday morning as the 175 children and adults who regularly attended Sunday School were able to spread out in the new classrooms.  To help us meet our financial obligations and provide a needed service for the Pearl City community, we leased out the educational building space during the week to the Alphabetland Pre-School.

1975 was a year of testing the strength of the lay people of Trinity.  Rev. Sung Wai “Kimbo” Kim became ill and was unable to fully participate in conducting worship service.  Through the lay leadership of Chief Fau’olo and Ray Keesling, the pulpit was filled with lay speakers and ministers from many denominations and walks of life. The death of Rev. Kim on December 14, 1975, saddened not only the friends and members of Trinity but also many people throughout the world who had been touched by this humble man.

Rev. Harry Y. Pak: 1976-1977

August of 1976 was truly a happy time as we welcomed our new pastor Harry Pak, his wife Carmen and their children from the Philippines.  After being “on our own” for nearly a year’s time, we were all in need of a leader.  The church presented its first gift from the Future Minister’s Fund to Karl Hamasu, a student at Simpson Bible College.  The choir continued to grow under the able leadership of Carol Keesling.   

Rev. John Rousseau: 1977-1979

Rev. Pak was appointed to be the new pastor of First Church in Honolulu and in July of 1977 the Rev. John Rousseau, formerly of the Ewa Beach United Methodist Church, and wife Cecille and their two sons, came to the pastorate of Trinity. Rev. Rousseau emphasized evangelism and outreach and it was during this time that the Tongan congregation was formed.  A large group of Tongan-speaking families met each Sunday afternoon at Trinity and joined the English-speaking congregation one Sunday a month for joint worship and communion services, and the Tongan choir provided special music.

Rev. Kirby Pickus: 1979- 1985

Rev. Kirby Pickus and his wife Jean, with their son, came to Trinity in July of 1979 from Camp Verde, Arizona United Methodist Church. One of the first events planned by Rev. Pickus was a Workshop on Witness (WOW) which incorporated team visitations by lay members of Trinity.  1981 saw and increase in lay leadership training.  Four members of Trinity, Roby Correa, Steve McMullen, Sinaipa Langi and Kiteli Alapati became certified lay speakers and Trinity recommended to the Annual Conference its first candidate for the ministry, Sinaipa Langi.

Rev. Carmen Utzuurum Pak: 1985 – 1989

Rev. Pickus was transferred to San Diego in 1985, Rev. Carmen Pak was appointed as pastor of Trinity.  She had formerly been part-time pastor at Waimanalo United Methodist Church and an instructor at Hawaii Loa College. The Tongan congregation continues to thrive under the leadership of Rev. George Kuma and several of the Tongan families join the English-speaking congregation each Sunday.

Rev. Samuel Domingo: 1989-1995

Rev. Samuel Domingo (Pastor Sam) was appointed to Trinity to replace Rev. Pak.  Pastor Sam came to us from Seal Beach, California but he was truly a “local boy” returning home. He had grown up in Aldersgate United Methodist Church and done interning at First Church and had served at Haalehu-Pahala (Naalehu-Pahala) before going to Seal Beach.

In 1993 a formal dinner completes with white tablecloths and fine china kicked off our “Called to Follow Jesus” and building renovation campaign.  This renovation of the kitchen, bathrooms and the addition of a nursery was completed and dedicated in 1994. One of our members, Roby Corea, was appointed to the ministry at Naalehu-Pahal on the Big Island and we sent her with our love and support.  Early 1995 we received the news that Pastor Sam had been asked by Bishop Sano to serve at Harris United Methodist Church.

Rev. Richard Matsushita: 1995 – 2002

Rev. Dr. Richard and Carol came to Trinity from Aiea United Methodist Church just a few miles down the road.  We have all been touched by his deep sense of commitment to the ministry as well as his caring pastoring.

We have had a strengthening and growing together of both the Tongan and English language congregation as we grow together to become one.  Rev. Atonio Toluta’u as associate pastor has become actively involve in the ministry.

2002 – 2009: Rev. Colleen Kyung Seen Chun  

2009 – 2015: Rev. Robert Miyake-Stoner

2015 – 2017: Rev. Dae Gyu Peter Lee

2017 – 2024: Rev. Amy Wake 

2024 – Rev. Viliami O. Koli: (Pastor in Charge) 

PACIFIC ISLANDER MINISTRY

1972 – 1973: Rev. Fa’agi Tafate’e

1981 – 1982: Rev. Viliami Vailea 

1985 – 1988: Rev. Siaosi Fine Kuma 

1988 – 1994: Rev. Tevita Siaosi Feleunga              

1994 – 1999: Rev. Atonio Toluta’u               

1999 – 2011: Rev. Taike Lolohea   

2011 – 2019: Rev. Solomone Ulu’ave                   

2019 – 2024: Rev. Viliami Ongo Koli 

2024 -Rev. Viliami Ongo Koli  (Pastor in Charge)