E alohaia mai oukou, a e maluhia hoi i ke Akua, e ko kakou e Makua, a e ka Haku e Iesu. (Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus.)

As the church in Hawaii petitions God to transform these islands into a nation that truly honors the Lord, I write to alert you of a particular lingering condition that, I believe, represents a significant obstacle — a serious offense that casts a dark shadow over these islands socially, politically, economically, culturally and spiritually. This offense is not only a hindrance to transformation, it is a source of curses upon this nation.

The offense was unleashed 125 years ago with the blatant theft of the Hawaiian Kingdom and has been compounded with each successive unjust act devised to conceal or ignore or dismiss or even justify the offense. The real offense is not just the political changes or the prolonged illegal occupation of Hawaii. It is not even the stealing of a nation. It is the spirit of wickedness that allows such injustices to continue unrestrained.

Proverbs 18:19 says: “A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a citadel.” Over the years, the hearts of our offended Hawaiian brothers and sisters have become encased by the walls and bars of the citadel formed by the accumulating record of offenses.

I believe that if we expect to see transformation in Hawaii we, who are the church in Hawaii, need to deal with this issue. As followers of Jesus, we know that the real battles in this world are spiritual in nature. To win in this battle, we have to see with spiritual eyes and fight with spiritual weapons. We have to see it from God’s perspective and use His strategies.

How are Christians in Hawaii supposed to deal with an offense that happened 112 years ago? How can we make this right? By applying God’s remedies.

The promises of God to heal and restore are many. But it comes with the condition that we humble ourselves, call out to Him and turn from our wicked ways (2 Chronicles 7:14). If His people are willing to repent, God will not only deliver them from destruction, He will heal their land and bless them. Repentance brings healing, restoration, blessings — transformation!

Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:23-26 that we must take an active role in reconciling an offense. It is up to us Christians to acknowledge offenses and to do what is necessary to make things right. Otherwise, we are to not bother bringing our offerings before the Lord.  “… leave your offering beside the altar and go and be reconciled to your brother…”

As we pray for Hawaii to be transformed, I believe we are being called to deal justly with the long-festering offense. To continue to ignore the offense as if it didn’t happen, will only serve to hamper the transformation Hawaii so desperately needs. Indeed, if Hawaii is to become a dwelling place for the Spirit of the Living God, shouldn’t we do all we can to put our house in order that we may receive Him? Shouldn’t we leave our offerings beside the altar and go and be reconciled to our offended brother?

Ke Akua me ke Aloha,

Your servant in Christ,
Leon Siu