Retreat in Honolulu, Hawaii…read more.. I heard about this weekend retreat from my Wednesday night Bible class. I looked up "BCC" (Basic Christian Community) online, found it, signed up, and paid through Eventbright. Easy! BCC emailed instructions and reminders! I was curious! I didn't know anything and hadn't really spoken to anyone about the BCC retreats. There was a list of what to bring (umbrella, flashlight, towel, pillow, toiletries, etc.). Val, from my Wednesday night group, suggested that I bring a sleeping bag. I found the St. Anthony's Retreat Center with GPS. I drove slowly and saw the entrance on the right side of Kalihi Street. I stopped at the sign where participants could drop off their car key, have the valet park their car, and someone would help with bringing luggage to the assigned room. The buildings were old-school cool. This place used to be an orphanage in 1909. It was run by the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary until Hawaii became the 50th State and Foster Care looked after orphans. In 1974, Sister Gertrude changed St. Anthony Home into St. Anthony Retreat Center. It was renovated and expanded in 1999 to 2008. Our group used the dorms (which had running water, beds, and showers with hot water), dining room and chapel downstairs, and the meeting hall in the building next door, which had 4 restrooms. The grounds were very beautiful with white statues of an angel, Jesus, and St. Christopher. I found the grotto with Mary, but I didn't find the outdoor Stations of the Cross. I'll have to go exploring in the future!

The St. Anthony Retreat Center was originally built in 1909 as the Kalihi Orphanage by the Brothers…read moreof the Sacred Hearts. The facilities are divided into the Historic Halls (original Kalihi Orphanage), Historic Circle Heritage Centers. Each hall has its own parking lot and is separate form each other which affords private and quiet to groups who may be having concurrent events. These facilities are located deep in Kalihi Valley with surrounding plant life that looks like you're in an Old Hawai'i tropical forest and you can even hear or see the Kalihi Stream running through the property. We've had the pleasure of attending birthday celebrations for my husband's aunt and family reunion dinners at this lush and secluded Catholic ministry retreat. Over the past 6 years, we've been here 3 times and only ONCE have we experienced clear blue skies. Perhaps we're receiving a Blessing from the Heavens but, our experiences here have been nothing less than stellar. Anyway, we've been fortunate that our family has gotten reservations at the Mother Alexandrine Hall which has a capacity for 77 people and a kitchenette. This dining hall is air-conditioned, well-kept and ensures private and quietness to retreat groups or celebrations. Parking for attendees or deliveries is convenient to each hall. We hope that we'll be able to return for more family reunions and to celebrate a few more birthdays for my husband's aunt.

Loving, kind folks here - they will personally teach you the Bible Truths for free! Looks like they…read moredoing a lot of construction right now, but looks pretty from outside.

Came here to attend a funeral. Like most Kingdom Halls ( that is the name of the place of worship…read morefor Jehovah's Witnesses ) it is very clean and modest. There is no stained glass and it's not dark and dreary like most churches are but well lit and warm and welcoming. There were lots of people attending the funeral so the parking lot got full and people had to look for parking outside. Wished they had more parking and a little bit wider would be nice too.

A funeral brought us to Anchor Church…read more The drive over from the airport via the H3 was relaxing and beautiful. The views didn't stop here as they've got a nice perch on the slopes of the Koolau looking down to Kaneohe Bay. The facilities are a mix of wooden structures and canvas tents, though a billboard in the open air lanai suggested a new permanent structure is in the fundraising works. The service was held inside a big windowless tent, complete with an HVAC system, sound, lighting and a stage. This looks to be where church services are held as well. A small kitchen supplied legit coffee and teas post service on their breezy patio.

Fellowship Friday…read more.. My mahjong friend, Cecelia, invited me to Anchor Church in Kaneohe. It's located near the Kaneohe District Park, Windward Community College, and the Hawaii State Hospital. Anchor Church has a beautiful campus! The drive up is already scenic with Norfolk pines and other outstanding foliage along the way! The views from the top are amazing! The people were very friendly and welcoming! I signed in, received a name tag and a yarn lei, and was given the schedule for the month and the calendar for 2023. Wow! Very organized! There were many activities to choose from. Luckily, my friend, Cecelia, and I have the same interests and we chose crochet over exercise; and ukulele instead of hula! We listened to the guest speakers from the Honolulu Fire Department - they had excellent information! Their slide show really emphasized their message. The potluck lunch was wonderful - we had to wear face masks while in line for the buffet meal. The servers placed food on our plates - we just told them what we wanted. We didn't touch the serving utensils. Overall, this was an educational experience! If you're available, everyone is welcome! Note: I'll return this Friday for the Valentine's Day crochet lesson!

New year...new location…read more.. Ever since I can remember we've come to the temple to start our new year with humble and the calm of visiting the temple along with the fireworks that's been the tradition here in Hawai'i though this year I did have different plans as I took the kindness of Yelp friends of Suri S and Steve S to view the fireworks along with dinner and a lovely evening planned. With that going the morning after since I had the day off I decided not to slack off and still visit the temple for blessing only to see that there wasn't the priest as many flocked over and gave their donations and dropped off the old omamori ring the bell and made their prayers on their own was something that I didn't expect. Parking is the biggest issues here is the reason that I don't usually come here as there is a drop off area and you park at Farrington but since we did have a disable parking I was able to bring mom and do a quick glance around which was really nice. There were two area to do your prayers while the nearby building held the other various options to have a sip of sake, various omamori with description for each amulet and what it represents is a great detail for those that needs further representation was quite impressive. Mom enjoyed herself and was delighted of this location as it has restrooms as well as we start 2025 with a positive vibe and at peace for the visit. Thank you!

My family has been coming here for at least 5 years now to get our new years blessings, our year…read morefortune telling, and omamori (talismans for protection). We also partake in the good luck gold sake! Everyone who works here is kind and helpful. The lines can get long but it goes quickly. I always feel at peace when I am there. I feel there is good energy here and it feels like a good start to a new year. You should try and visit next year. I'll see you there!

Ring in the New Year with a visit to Izumo Mission in Honolulu. Visiting Izumo Shrine on New Year's…read moreDay has been a personal tradition of mine for many years. After watching the first sunrise of the year, I make my way here to begin the year with gratitude, reflection, and hope for what lies ahead. Each visit, I receive omamori for traffic safety and good fortune, along with a lucky arrow for protection and continued blessings throughout the year. The shrine feels especially meaningful on New Year's Day, filled with a quiet sense of reverence mixed with shared optimism from the community. Even with the crowds, the experience remains calm and grounding. If you plan to visit on New Year's Day, it's best to arrive early, as it can become quite busy later in the day. It's a meaningful and time-honored way to welcome the New Year and carry on a tradition that connects reflection, intention, and good fortune.

明けましておめでとうございます！…read more Happy New Year as we welcome the year of the horse it's 2026 and I couldn't think of a better place to be right as it hits midnight as this temple has been a long tradition to start the year right. As this shrine dresses up for the occasion many gather here for various reasons whether it's to pray for good fortune, health and happiness, you start with a purification wash first to then make your way up to right the priests and wring the giant bell to follow with the ritual for your offering and prayer which they will help you and once done make your way down for your amazake and purchase your omamori after you rid of your previous years charms. It feels great to start the year right and be grateful for what I've received and to pray for a fabulous year ahead. どうもありがとうございます！m(_ _)m

This temple really left its mark on me. The synagogue I go to back home is special to me as well,…read morebut I didn't want to leave this one. I visited two weeks in a row, and I'm sure I'll be back eventually.

I love my Temple…read more That's the review. Amazing staff, beautiful library, great location. I love Temple Emanu-El.

I have been a member since seven years old. My life would not have been as good as it has been…read morewithout Toho No Hikari (the ministers and the members) in my life.

these are very good beliefs and practices to make this…read moreworld a better place to live in. SOKE CHRISTOPHER MIYAJI OF MIYAJIRYU. FB