Unitarian Universalism in Puna

By Karyn Chambers

Years ago, when I was in grad school, I asked my professor, Marcus Borg, renowned Historical Jesus scholar, to recommend a spiritual community that was interfaith and non-dogmatic.  I was recovering from involvement in a fundamentalist, apocalyptic group that I had been part of for twenty years. He suggested attending the Unitarian Universalist group where his wife was a minister.  Yes, one of the few denominations that ordain women. I went and felt inspired by the huge picture window that invited nature to be included in the service. I loved when the minister invited the children into the center for a story, reminding us of our own innocence and vulnerability. Music played during meditation time. The sermons focused on themes of social justice, education, and cultural/religious diversity. 

Each week that I attended, I wept, healing from my religious trauma. Many of the attendees also had been through religious and emotional wounding of some type. Bible readings/references and the focus on Christianity were absent from the service.  No one was pushing doctrines, specific rules, or membership with new attendees. I felt free to attend and quietly heal, due to the elements of nature, music, and children being at the center–the interconnected web of life.  They were non-denominational, welcoming, and accepting of all people, regardless of previous religious backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, or dual traditions. 

A few weeks ago, I learned we have Unitarian Universalists in Puna, here in HPP to be exact. They meet every Sunday at 10:30 am, at 15-1791 14th Ave, Kea’au. So I decided to investigate and research their origins and teachings more deeply. I was impressed by what I learned. 

History of Unitarian Universalism

Unitarian Universalism is the consolidation of two religions in 1961: Unitarianism and Universalism. Unitarians arose in Poland and Transylvania in the 1500s as part of the Protestant Reformation movement, embracing inclusivist, humanist, and pluralistic spiritual teachings. Interestingly, they rejected the Trinity, emphasizing the Oneness of God. Arriving in America in 1825, their teachings promoted reason, conscience, and inherent human goodness. Ralph Waldo Emerson, a Unitarian minister, helped move it beyond Christian limits, advocating for direct spiritual experience rather than strict doctrinal enforcement. He later became a Transcendentalist, advocating divine truth discovered through personal intuition and self-reliance rather than through organized religion. 

Universalism originated in the 18th Century in Europe, speaking out against Calvinism, with its teachings of predestination and hellfire, coming to America in 1793. It centered on the belief that a loving, all-powerful God would never damn a soul to a fiery hell, and that all human beings would eventually be reconciled to God. Universalists advocate unification of humanity through shared values such as human rights, ethics, and social justice. 

In 1961, when the convergence of Unitarian Universalism occurred, the tradition evolved beyond Christianity to include those who identify as agnostic, atheist, humanist, Pagan, Buddhist, or Jewish. They are united by the search for truth rather than a specific creed, advocating for justice, equality, value of every human, and respect for the interdependent web of all life. Spirituality is based on individual choice and considered a private matter, ensuring a creedless, non-dogmatic focus. 

Teachings and Practices

Unitarian Universalists believe that reason, freedom, and acceptance take precedence over doctrines or religious creeds. They are united by their affirmation of the individual’s spiritual quest and shared values, encouraged to follow their own conscience and wisdom found in a variety of religious traditions. 

These seven principles reflect deeply held values among Unitarians: 

1. The inherent worth and dignity of every person.
2. Justice, equality, and compassion in human relations. 
3. Acceptance of one another and encouragement of spiritual growth in community.
4. A free and responsible search for truth and meaning.
5. The right of conscience and use of the democratic process in community and society as a whole.
6. The goal of a world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all.
7. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. (uua.org)

The above principles were drawn from science, poetry, scripture, and personal experience. They encourage their members to form their own opinions/beliefs regarding God, the afterlife, and sacred texts. There’s a huge emphasis on ethical living, democratic processes, and social justice. 

History of Unitarian Universalists Coming to Hawaii and Puna

The oldest Unitarian congregation first came to Hawaii in the 1950s, founded by Rosemary Matson and Ruth Iams, who worked to build an interfaith community that included Buddhists and Jewish folks, which attracted free-thinkers associated with the University of Hawaii. It officially became a church when they hired their first minister, Rev. Frank Ricker, in 1957. In the 70s, they sheltered famed atheist Madalyn Murray O’Hair and assisted in providing refuge for those protesting the Vietnam War.  In 2012, the Honolulu group included a meaningful partnership with the indigenous Hawaiian religion and cultural group, protecting sacred traditional sites.  The first Big Island group met in Hilo in 1986, where they had at least thirty-five members.  They moved to Kea’au in 1991, meeting at the Kea’au Community Center, eventually purchasing an Ohana house in 2011.

UU in Puna is a lay-led community, offering a spiritual community focused on progressive values, social justice, environmental harmony, and spiritual exploration for Big Island participants. The Puna group is a recent formation founded in the early 2000s to serve the needs of the Puna community. They work as a civic and environmental base, reflecting on the sacred history of Puna, with its volcanic activity associated with Pele. It honors many religious and cultural lineages, sharing values such as love, equality, and interdependence. As mentioned earlier, they meet on Sundays at 10:30 am in HPP, 15-1791 14th Ave, Kea’au. They host public forums and support for the League of Women and Voters of Hawaii County. You may attend in person or through Zoom. 

In June 2026, I attended their service via Zoom. A beautiful violin duo with a string quartet opened the meeting. I was pleasantly surprised by how inclusive they were in including online attendees, asking them to speak and introduce themselves. They welcomed folks from Orchidland, Ainaloa, Hawaiian Acres, HPP, and Pahoa. They sang an opening hymn along with an online choir. They lit the chalice, a primary symbol of faith and hope, the light of reason and warmth. Then we were invited to joys and concerns. Again, online attendees were welcomed as participants. It was actually Father’s Day, so “Papa Says,” a poem was read to honor fathers. 

A community member then led a discussion of Jalal al-Din Rumi, the Sufi Mystic Poet who established the Mevlevi Order and the Whirling Dervishes that spin in alignment with the planets circling the sun, as a way to abandon the ego. The presentation involved playing several of Rumi’s metaphysical poetry along with music in the background. It was quite lovely. After final announcements, they sang a closing hymn, “Come, Come Whoever You Are,” and stood for the last song. 

Unitarians of Puna welcome all people regardless of sexual orientation, age, religious affiliation, race, or cultural background. They are an informal, lay-led group that would love to expand their numbers. The first Sunday of every month, they have live music and a larger turnout. Joining them provides an opportunity to participate in breathing new life into their community and becoming more involved with issues of social justice and environmental concerns here in Puna. Check them out Sundays at 10:30 am at 15-1791 14th Ave (off Paradise Dr) in Kea’au or online. They have a Facebook page and website uuhonolulu.org where you can subscribe to their newsletter and stay up to date with community happenings.