WAHIAWA UMC
ABOUT US
Nestled in upper Wahiawa, just below Leilehua High School, our church is a multi-generational mix of keiki and kupuna, locals and those new to Hawaii. We especially welcome military families!
REVEREND SAMUEL DOMINGO
The Reverend Samuel L Domingo was born and raised in Kalihi Valley, the eldest of three children of Prudencio and Marcelina Domingo. He attended public schools, Kalihi-uka Elementary, Dole Intermediate and graduated from WR Farrington High School in 1970. He attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa and received a BA in Sociology. He received his seminary training at the School of Theology at Claremont, California, and was ordained in the California-Pacific Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church in 1979.
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Sam was nurtured in faith by the wonderful folks of Aldersgate UMC. Early on Sam was offered opportunities in leadership in Sunday School as his dad, who was Sunday School Superintendent, assigned Sam duties in leading worship and other activities. At the District level, Sam participated in summer camps and youth sports. In college Sam was active with the campus ministry at the Wesley Foundation. Sam led Jr. High Summer Camp at Kokee for a number of years. Sam gives credit to Glen Murray, Gaius Thede, and Frank Butterworth, whose mentorship led Sam on the path to ordained ministry.
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​Sam served for 37 years in a variety of church settings: rural, city, suburban, small and large, but always multicultural, in parishes in California and Hawaii: Pahala/Naalehu on Hawaii Island, First UMC, Honolulu, Shell Beach Community UMC in Pismo Beach, California, Trinity UMC in Pearl City, Harris UMC, Honolulu, First UMC, Honolulu, Keolumana UMC in Kailua, Kilohana UMC in Niu Valley.
He has enjoyed the teaching, preaching, and community outreach aspects of local church ministry. Sam was heavily involved with the interfaith community organizing effort known as FACE, Face Action for Community Equity, since its beginning in 1993. He has been involved in Aikea, community members supportive of UniteHere-Local 5, Hotel Workers’ Union. Sam also serves as the Coordinator for the Annual Ecumenical Easter Sunrise Service at the National Cemetery of the Pacific at Puowaina (Punchbowl Crater). His most recent involvement has been in the creation of the Hawaii Workers Center in May 2020, which is an organization that seeks to support nonunionized low-wage immigrant workers.
His passions include music, books on history and current events, swimming at the beach, golf, local food and of course his family. Sam married Lily Bloom on Valentine’s Day 1981. She is a consultant and trainer working mainly in the non-profit arena facilitating groups of various sizes to hold meaningful conversations about their mission. Their son, Evan, lives and works in Waikiki. The Bloom-Domingo household also includes Lily’s mom, Dorothy Bloom, and three cats, Forest, Cruise, and Tomo.
REVEREND PIULA ALAʻILIMA
Rev. Piula Ala’ilima has been a UMC Ordained Elder for 43 years, serving churches in WA state and throughout the islands, including Wahiawa UMC, where his parents were faithful parishioners. He officially retired July 1, 2024 and is excited to experience “half retirement” as he serves Wahiawa UMC and finishes his Doctor of Ministry dissertation.
Piula and Kim fondly remember the celebration of their marriage and first pregnancy while at WUMC. Their oldest daughter, Salani, is a rising freshman at UH, studying art and education. Their younger daughter, Iona, is a rising 7th grader, active in the honor band and with the local swim team. Kim is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, with a Honolulu private practice for the last 15 years. She is also a coach and consultant for a national training program, equipping other clinicians in the trauma intervention of EMDR.
Dr. Lucio “Leo” Pascua
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Born and raised in Wahiawa, Leo has been behind the piano at our church for the last twenty five years! He brings an eclectic and dynamic style to our worship experience.
A pediatrician by profession, during the week he serves at the Waipahu Satellite Clinic of the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center.
Jaylina Feliza Sagon Abuy
OFFICE MANAGER
Appearing on Wahiawa UMC's doorstep during the peak of COVID, Jay has since learned everything it takes run an office and church. Also from Wahiawa, she is grateful to work within the community that raised her.
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A graduate of the University of Hawaii, West Oahu with a BAS in Media and an AA in Teaching, Jay also works with the Hawaii Restaurant Association, its Educational Foundation, and is a freelance photographer.
OUR VISION
God is calling Wahiawa United Methodist Church to make disciples of Christ through mission and service to others. Our purpose is to nurture our community, meet its needs, and to be welcoming to all.
OUR BELIEFS
We believe that God’s love and grace are available to all people. Through Jesus Christ, we experience God’s healing and transformation. The Bible is the authority of our faith, which we interpret with the help of reason, tradition, and experience. We live out our faith in community and service to others.
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Wahiawa United Methodist Church affirms that all people are God’s children and deserve God’s love and grace. We welcome all, especially those who have been excluded or discriminated against due to their race, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, ethnicity, marital status, physical or mental ability, family configuration, political affiliation, education, economic status or theological perspective. We are an open and affirming congregation that welcomes and celebrates the full inclusion of all people in the life and ministries of Wahiawa United Methodist Church as we journey together toward reconciliation through Jesus Christ.