A progressive voice in Hawai'i promoting the positive healing role of religion in public life by encouraging dialogue, challenging extremism, and facilitating nonviolent community activism
About us
The Interfaith Alliance Hawai‘i was incorporated in 2003 as a chapter of the national The Interfaith Alliance, receiving its IRS determination in March 2005. It is a direct outgrowth of The Bridges for Justice and Compassion, the legislative and human needs committee of the Hawai‘i Council of Churches (HCC). In March 2000, the HCC office was closed and an oversight funding committee was set up to administer two continuing small bequests. A formal “memorial service” for the Hawai‘i Council of Churches was held at Harris United Methodist Church along with eulogies about the many impressive accomplishments of HCC over more than 100 years. The hope was with the “death” of HCC, there would be opportunity for a ‘resurrection or reincarnation” of another ecumenical or interfaith entity.
The Bridges for Justice and Compassion continued to meet with volunteer leadership. Sam Cox was the chair at the time. Its membership had already become diverse with non-Christian participants. The name itself came from combining the interest of the Christian “prophetic justice” of Amos with the “the engaged sense of Buddhist compassion.” Both are needed, neither is complete alone. The mission statement at the time was:
Bridges for Justice and Compassion is a group of
concerned people of faith committed to involvement in the life
of our community. We affirm that reconciliation and connection
to one another are the ‘bridges’ that span justice and
compassion.
Interfaith Open Table
Several former HCC board members met together with other interested religious leaders from Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish, Baha'i, Humanists and other traditions. Early participants included Joan Chatfield, Sam Cox, Yoshiaki Fujitani, Florence Wheeler, Mike Young and others. After much discussion over a period of six months, the Interfaith Open Table was convened as an unincorporated organization. The agreed purpose was “To Encourage Interfaith Dialogue for Mutual Understanding and Community Partnerships.”
Controversial items are discussed but to ensure openness, positions are not taken. This group continues to meet on the First or Second Wednesday morning of every month, in tandem with the General TIAH Membership. Rev Irene Matsumoto is the current convener.
The Interfaith Alliance Hawai’i
In the Fall of 2003, The Bridges for Justice and Compassion decided to reorganize as a chapter of the national The Interfaith Alliance (TIA). Dr. Welton Gaddy, the President of The Interfaith Alliance joined us for our first Annual Celebration Dinner as our keynote speaker at Honpa Hongwanji Betsuin. During the celebration, ten boxes of legislative and human needs program files of the Hawai‘i Council of Churches were symbolically presented by Sam Cox to Yoshiaki Fujitani, representing the “rebirth” or “reincarnation” of The Interfaith Alliance Hawai‘i. The affiliation with the national TIA has given our Hawai‘i Chapter a national and world perspective. Every year, we have sent two or more delegates to national TIA gatherings. This summer of 2007, we also have send two youth delegates to the national LEADD interfaith youth camp in Maryland.