Weekly Ward Message 9/20/26
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Faithful at the Station
By Wes Yee, Ward Clerk
In recent years, life has been extremely difficult for many. For myself, to cope with these challenges I often take a step back and remember a true story about a dog named Hachikō.
The story takes place in Tokyo, Japan, in 1924. A Tokyo University professor named Hidesaburō Ueno was given a purebred Akita puppy whom he named Hachikō. An Akita is a dog breed that comes from the Akita Prefecture in Japan. Akitas are well known for their loyalty.
As Dr. Ueno and Hachikō became acquainted with each other, their bond became very strong. Each day Dr. Ueno would travel by train to Tokyo University where he worked. He would go through Shibuya Train Station. In the afternoon, Hachikō would walk to the train station to greet his master, and they would walk home together.
This became their daily routine.
One day Hachikō went to the train station, but Dr. Ueno did not return.
Unfortunately, Dr. Ueno suffered a stroke while at the university and passed away. Hachikō went home alone that day. The next afternoon he returned to Shibuya Station, but his beloved master again did not return. Hachikō continued returning to the train station each day for nearly ten years.
Although Dr. Ueno’s family and others tried to care for him, Hachikō would often return to the station to wait for his master. During those years, Hachikō was sometimes treated as a stray and was not always treated kindly. People formed opinions about him because of his outward appearance, but as they began to learn the story of this loyal Akita, they began treating him with greater kindness.
What stands out to me most about Hachikō is his loyalty. Day after day and year after year, he continued returning to the same place and waiting for his master to come home.
Hachikō’s loyalty reminds me of the scripture found in Matthew 6:24: “No man can serve two masters.” To me, his example is a reminder that we also need to decide where our loyalty will be.
I also believe Hachikō’s example can help us think about faith.
President Gordon B. Hinckley once taught, “And so it is with our eternal journey. We take one step at a time. In doing so we reach toward the unknown, but faith lights the way.”
There are many times in life when we do not understand everything that is happening. We may not know why certain things happen or when answers will come. But faith helps us continue moving forward.
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin once said, “We must be able to withstand the various tests of faithfulness and loyalty that life puts to all of us from time to time.”
Hachikō’s determination was simple. He continued returning to the station, looking for his master and waiting for him to come home.
It has also been said that toward the end of his life, Hachikō visited some of the people and places that had become familiar to him over the years. These were people who had shown him kindness and helped care for him along the way. I like this part of the story because it reminds me that none of us makes our journey alone. The Lord places people in our lives to help us, strengthen us, and care for us. It also reminds me of ministering and the importance of looking after one another as we make our way through life.
When he passed away, many people were saddened by the loss of this loyal dog who had touched so many lives.
Today there is a statue and memorial dedicated to Hachikō at Shibuya Station. I was
privileged to visit this memorial myself. Hachikō has become a national symbol of loyalty in Japan. His story became so well known that Helen Keller was inspired by the Akita breed and helped introduce it to the United States.
Hachikō’s story is remembered because of his loyalty. For many years he returned to the station each day waiting for his master to come home.
To me this is a simple example of faith and loyalty. We do not know when the Savior will return, but we know that He will. Until that day we can continue to have faith in Him and remain loyal to Him.
Jesus Christ showed us the greatest example of love and loyalty through His life and through His Atonement. When life is difficult and we do not understand everything that is happening, we can still pray, worship, trust Him, and continue moving forward.
Life can be tough and less than kind at times, but I know that through the Savior’s Atonement I can continue to have faith in Him and remain loyal to a loving Father in Heaven. Just as Hachikō faithfully waited for his master to return, we can faithfully look forward to the day when we will be reunited with our Master.
Sometimes faith is simply continuing to return to the place where we know our Master can be found.
In the name of Jesus
Christ Amen.
Weekly Family Message
By Elder & Sister Chun
Marital Advice from Elder and Sister Chun
Elder Chun's Advice
Aloha Faithful Fighting Fourth Members,
Just a few words of my eternal marital bliss experiences with my eternal companion, Mary Kathleen Cargile Chun. Our relationship began in the basement of Deseret Industries in Orem,Utah where my ward met, with a stake Christmas square dance in December 1973, where I just got her name! Thankfully, I saw her on the large Brigham Young University campus a number of times and finally got her phone number and we had our first date the last day of April 1974. We were sealed in the Laie Hawaii Temple For Time And For All Eternity, 5 months later on September 21, 1974 and blessed with 3 children, born in the covenant and never spanked. We have had our share of disagreements and more than our share of wonderful opportunities to grow closer together, because it was not easy, in fact, it’s not supposed to be easy! Brethren, you have to give up being right and just work at getting along, because she’ll be right most of the time anyway! Always put her first and treat her as the queen. Now the really hard part of the relationship, since you’re the man, you’re supposed to lead in doing everything that you need to do to get your family into the highest degree of the celestial kingdom, to lead from the front and by example!
Thoughts From Sister Chun
On September 21st, we celebrate 52 years of marriage, a wonderful endeavor to become supportive and loving companions to each other. My husband’s leadership in church services, going the second mile, and working on his own improvements, inspire me to work to become the best person I can. Our love grows daily and we feel so much gratitude to Heavenly Father for our eternal union and ability to help each other learn to grow more towards perfection. Marriage gives us joy, eternal joy!
Missionary Corner
An Update from Brother Matthew Yadao
Aloha K4 Ohana,
I've been asked to write a little bit of my personal mission experience and some of the things that personally changed my life.
While serving in the mission field I had the special privilege to serve in the Odyssey House, The Haven. C.O.R.E halfway homes that were located in salt lake city. Over the course of the mission I got to see many of my friends enter the waters of baptism 33 in all. One of these friends was (who for the sake of privacy I'll call Joe) Joe had suffered from addictions to alcohol that ruined his life he was homeless and couldn't find a way out but finding his way to the Odyssey House met with the missionaries for the first time.
For the first time in his life he heard the plan of salvation, coming from a Southern Baptist background he had a belief in Christ but had never truly understood Christ's atonement. He read the Book of Mormon and found that it truly did testify of Christ. Through the Savior he found the strength to continue in his treatment and eventually accepted his baptism and graduated his treatment. Immediately after coming out of the water Joe raised his hands high and yelled in a loud voice hallelujah. And I couldn't help but say amen.
People ask me what was the biggest thing I learned on my mission and I always like to tell them this story. One day I was talking with an elder and we were talking about serving and why we left to serve the lord. Then he presented me this question. He said Elder you know we were promised all these blessings for going out on our missions we have been taught them since we were little. But elder the last few months have been the hardest for me my family isn't doing great and to be honest I don’t feel like I am either. So I ask you where are the blessing? After a pause looking thinking of my own experience a singular thought came to my mind. The blessing is that we learn to rely on Christ. I reminded him that not all blessings we will receive in this life and sometimes bad experiences can turn to become blessings in disguise. If we learned nothing did we learn that when things got hard we could rely on Christ.
Brothers and sisters this is my humble testimony of the power of God to change lives and the sureness of his promises if we will learn to rely on Christ.
And I say that in the name of Jesus Christ, amen
Sharing the Gospel in Natural Ways
Take a minute to listen to a message on sharing the gospel from our missionaries, Elder Garner and Elder Guillermo. If you like the message, see the next section.
Missionary Meals
Feeding the missionaries is a happy little service with a big impact. Please add your name to the SIGN-UP SHEET and spread some aloha, or call Elders Garner & Guillermo at 808.253.8666 to meet with them.
Meet the Ioanes
Hello everyone,
We are Charlie and Lorie Ioane. We have recently moved to Kaneohe 4th Ward from Olomano ward in Waimanalo.
Lorie has served in the Primary, Young Women's, and Relief Society presidencies. Holding leadership positions as President of the Primary and the Relief Society.
I have served on the bishopric, Young Mens, elders quorum, ward mission, and Sunday school. Holding leadership positions as Elders Quorum President, Ward Mission Leader, and Sunday School President.
Our family is a his, hers, and ours situation. This is a second marriage for both Lorie and I. Lorie had four children, two boys and two girls from her first marriage. I had three girls from my first marriage. And together we have one son. Our oldest daughter is now 41 years old. Our youngest son is 23 years old. We have two son-in-laws and one daughter-in-law. We have two grandsons and four granddaughters.
Our son Kekoa also attends church with us. Kekoa is 32 years old and has Down syndrome. Kekoa is a prolific dancer and a Special Olympian. Kekoa has performed on the mainland, especially at the World Special Olympic Games opening ceremonies in Los Angeles. He served a Service Mission in 2020 to 2022 and is also currently volunteering weekly at the Food Pantry in Honolulu. Lastly, Kekoa dances hula with Kumu Mandi Scott of Na Maka O Puuwai Aloha and part of the Pakalana class which consists of other friends with special needs.
Lorie and I are both Temple Ordinance Workers and we serve on the Saturday morning shift.
We both work from home in our business "CLI Systems Hawaii".
Mortgage broker
Bookkeeping
Tax preparation
Small business funding
Health and wellness
Lorie and I are both converts to the church and one of our goals is to serve a Senior Couples Mission.
Interesting fact: our family has been living in the Kaneohe 4th Ward boundary for three years. We considered moving wards earlier but we were serving in leadership positions as Relief Society president and Sunday School president. It was with the announcement from the Stake presidency that all members should attend their home wards, that we decided to move to our Kaneohe 4th ward and be obedient.
Ward Congratulations
Congratulations to Samson and Anau Siilata on their exciting new chapter as they start their life together as husband and wife. Wishing them endless love and happiness. Mahalo to Bishop Kamuela Kimokeo for officiating the wedding!
Young Women
Young Men
Primary
Check out the Primary Newsletter! CLICK HERE to view it.
Announcements
Join our WhatsApp Community for mobile Ward alerts. While on your phone, CLICK HERE
Tithing Declaration starts in September and ends on December 15. Please sign up with Brother Owen Adams to schedule an appointment.
Laie Hawaii Temple Closure - Mon, Sept 7, 2026 - Mon, Sept 21, 2026
YSA Institute (18-35) - Every Thursday at 7 pm at the Kailua Chapel
Institute (open to anyone) - Every Thursday at 7 pm at the Kaneohe Stake Center
Youth Stake Mission Prep
2nd Sunday at 2:15 pm - Keolu Chapel
4th Sunday at 2:15 pm - Stake Center
Starting on September 6, 2026, we will begin the new Sunday 2nd Hour Schedule:
11:30 am - 12:30 pm Sacrament
12:35 pm - 1:00 pm Sunday School
1:05 pm - 1:30 pm Class & Quorum Meetings
Calendar
September 20, 2026 11:30 am - Sacrament Meeting @ Kaneohe Stake Center
September 24, 2026 7:00 pm - YW Combined Activity
September 26, 2026 5:00 pm - Stake Blast to the Past Dance
September 27, 2026 11:30 am - Sacrament Meeting @ Kaneohe Stake Center
October is Chapel Cleanup Month at 7:30 am every Saturday morning
October 2, 2026 7 pm - Ward Chapel Cleanup & Dessert Activity
October 3-4, 2026 - General Conference
November 7, 2026 7:00 pm - Stake Conference Adult Session
November 8, 2026 10:00 am - Stake Conference General Session
December 6, 2026 - First Presidency Christmas Devotional
December 20, 2026 11:30 am - Sacrament Meeting Only
Annual Ward Events
October 24, 2026 - Ward Trunk-or-Treat
October 25, 2026 11:30 am - Primary Presentation @ Kaneohe Stake Center
December 19, 2026 - Ward Christmas Party
EQ/RS Lesson Schedule
Sep 20 - Alive In Christ, President Oaks
Sep 27 - The Character of Christ, Elder Christofferson
Oct 4 - General Conference, No Quorum Meeting
Oct 11 - Remember, Remember, Elder Wong
Oct 18 - “Here Am I, Send Me”, President Porter
Oct 24 - Jesus Christ Is The Way, President Holmes
Stake Temple Recommend Schedule
In-person temple recommend renewal interviews will be conducted at the following buildings and chapels during the listed times:
Buildings/Chapels | Sunday | Address | Time |
Waimānalo Stake Center Keolu Hills | 1st 1st & 3rd 3rd | 41-972 Oluolu St. 46-117 Halaulani St. 1461 Kanapuʻu Dr. | 9:30 - 11:30 am 9:30 - 11:30 am 9:30 - 11:30 am |
No appointment is necessary for renewal interviews.
First-time temple recommend holders (for your own endowment): After your
interview with your bishop or branch president, please call Dayton Labanon 808-232-9869 to schedule an appointment. You may contact the temple only after your interview with the stake president is complete.
You are welcome to attend any of the listed chapels for your interview. Please come dressed in Sunday best attire.
Mahalo for all participants this week!
Inspired by Elder and Sister Chun's marriage section!