Christmas program offers Nativity, alii

Kawaiaha’o Church and One Love Ministries are sponsoring a free Christmas program with a live Nativity on its grounds, 957 Punchbowl St. As Honolulu City Lights gets underway across the street, the church will present "Sharing the Faith of Queen Kaahumanu and other Christian Ali’i."

Among the season’s highlights are concerts and a Hawaiian queen (dressed as Santa) giving out gifts beginning today, from 4 to 6 p.m.

The program’s hours will change to 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday,Tuesday and Wednesday; Dec. 15-20, 22 and 23. (There will no Nativity on Dec. 14 and 21, when Kawaiaha’o holds its annual Christmas concerts, 7 to 10 p.m.)

Other churches participating in the "Sharing the Faith of Queen Kaahumanu and Other Christian Ali’i" program are Resurrection and Life Ministries, Calvary Chapel Pearl Harbor, Calvary Chapel Honolulu, Mililani Baptist Church, Cornerstone Multimedia, Mauka-Makai Ministries-Windward, and Faith, Hope & Love Christian Center.

For more information, email pastorsoffice@kawaiahao.org or call Kanani at 469-3000.

Statue pays tribute to Damien assistant

A statue honoring Joseph Dutton, one of St. Damien’s most trusted helpers in caring for victims of leprosy at Kalaupapa, was dedicated Nov. 26 at St. Francis School in Manoa.

Dutton was known as Brother Dutton, although he never took the vows in the Catholic Church, according to a news release. He arrived on Molokai in 1886, three years before Damien’s death, and worked there until his own death in 1931.

Dutton was an alcoholic and was divorced before dedicating his life to helping those with leprosy. During the dedication, Sister Joan of Arc Souza, who heads St. Francis School,said Dutton set an example for others as someone who had failed but did not give up on life and made something of himself, the release said.

The statue, sculpted in China, shows Dutton in a Union uniform because he spent four years in an infantry regiment in the Civil War, serving as a quartermaster. He left the service with the rank of captain. The statue was commissioned by Jon Perreira, a retired Hawaii businessman.

There has been some discussion among Catholic leaders to pursue beatification for Dutton, which could lead to sainthood, the release said.