08/03/2026
What happens when four hours of great music and really good food become the backdrop for more than 150 folks, ages 4 months to 94 years old? At Messiah Lutheran Church in Ewa Beach, that is Mele on the Lawn.
On August 1st we hosted our second annual Mele on the Lawn right here on our campus, and Ewa Beach got treated to the best of vibes. We opened the night with our very own Hunter Bailey, bringing a little "kuntry twang" straight from his deep south roots. Then a trio of local artists serenaded us with that island Hawaiian flavor. Our Tongan Church Choir followed and lifted the whole lawn, belting gospel in Tongan and English. Messiah's own Worship Team Lead by our worship leader Bronson, carried us into worship with Hawaiian rhythms running through it. Then two of the Lorenzo boys, Makaio and Jonstin, brought the house down with their hula. And Native Roots closed out all four hours with reggae beats and an absolute bang.
The whole time, the popcorn never stopped. Neither did the nachos, the chili rice, the kalua pig, and a dessert table that did not disappoint.
And the keiki were never bored for a second. Lawn games ran all evening, and our resident kendama expert, Illijah, set up and taught the kids the art of kendama, the cup, the ball, and every trick in between. Nobody went home empty-handed either. Our free raffle kept sending folks off with prizes all night long.
The best part was watching who showed up. Families from our church Ohana. Their friends. Neighbors setting foot on our campus for the very first time. Folks just passing by on the street who pulled up a patch of grass. All of them together in the real Aloha spirit, love and fellowship on full display.
And here is the part we cannot take credit for. This was our God flexing a little in Ewa Beach, moving through the music and the Aloha, using the vision and the sweat of one small church to gather His people and a whole neighborhood besides. Every bit of it was a gift, and every bit of it pointed back to the Giver.
Mahalo to everyone who sang, cooked, set up, cleaned up, and simply came. We will see you at the next one.
