Ho`ike August 2025

 

Celebrating a Life Well Lived

by Erik VanDenburgh, President

Graduation season is a time of celebration. Across our Hawaii Conference, students are stepping across stages, receiving diplomas, and moving into the next chapter of their lives. These are joyful moments—full of smiles, lei, and the happy tears of family and friends. And yet, for many, graduation is also bittersweet. One of the hardest parts of any transition is saying goodbye to the friendships we’ve made and to the teachers who have shaped our journey.

This spring, our conference family said goodbye to someone who shaped countless journeys—not in a classroom but through her steady service, kind heart, and unwavering faith. Auntie Norma Galiza retired from the Hawaii Conference office in December after over 30 years of dedicated service. Shortly thereafter, she fell ill and passed away on April 9.

Auntie Norma wasn’t just an employee—she was part of the heartbeat of our office and our church community. She served with distinction as administrative assistant to multiple presidents and as our volunteer Women’s Ministries Coordinator. But titles don’t fully capture her impact. Auntie Norma brought warmth, a kind smile, and elegance to everything she touched.

When I began serving as conference president, I would often sit by her desk and listen to her stories—many of them about how God had led previous presidents through difficult times. Her words reassured me, not just with wisdom but with hope. She took great pride in her work, protected our mission, and always paid attention to the details.

Anyone who knew her will remember her perfectly wrapped Christmas packages. The paper was never thin or flimsy—it was thick, often glittered, and the kind you almost didn’t want to tear open. Her bows were tied to perfection and perfectly formed with wired ribbon. Once, I admired the gifts she placed under the office Christmas tree and asked what was inside. She laughed and told me they were empty—just for decoration. But even empty, they were beautiful.

After she passed away, I found one of her wrapped packages. She used to keep a stash of presents on hand for me to give to important guests visiting our islands. I had taken one of these small gifts that I thought I might need but never ended up using. It had made its way from my office to my glove box and eventually into my garage. Over time, it got a little dusty, the bow was crushed, and some of the glitter rubbed off. But it was still her package—still valuable, still hers. And I thought of her.

In many ways, that package is like us. When God created humanity, the Bible says He formed us from the dust of the ground and breathed into us the breath of life (Genesis 2:7). We were His masterpiece—perfect and full of glory. But sin entered the world, and the beauty began to fade. The glitter rubbed off. The world grew hard.

Yet even in our brokenness, God still saw our worth. That’s why John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.”1 Jesus came not only to die for us but to restore us—to breathe life into death and bring us back to Himself.

Auntie Norma believed in that promise. She followed Jesus, loved His church, and gave her life in service to Him. Because of that, we don’t say goodbye forever. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” (John 11:25).

Still, her absence is felt. There will be holidays, birthdays, graduations, and celebrations where we will miss her dearly. Jesus understands this. When His friend Lazarus died, the Bible simply says, “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). Grief is not something we were created for. It wasn’t part of Eden. But Jesus meets us in our sorrow and reminds us that death is not the end of the story.

Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout…and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive…shall be caught up…to meet the Lord in the air.” What a reunion that will be.

And in Revelation 21:4, John gives us a glimpse of what comes next: “There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying,…for the former things have passed away.” One day soon, everything broken will be made new.

Auntie Norma’s life was a gift. Her presence in our office, our churches, and our lives was beautifully wrapped in grace, faith, and aloha. And now, that precious gift is waiting to be unwrapped by the One who created her in the first place.

Until that day, we hold on to the hope found in Christ.

“Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).

_________________

1 All Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version.

 


 

Congratulations

2025

Graduates!

 

 

Adventist Malama Elementary School

Carley Cardines
Tehani Cruz
Maxumus Quon-Kaleiopu
Alwyn Sione
Avriel Trinidad


Hawaiian Mission Academy

Isabella Auala-Ellis
Eliot Baek
Makaylah Baker
Noelani Butler
Ethan Ferro
Devin Gaboya
Jared Galiza
Daniel Hovanski
Danica Isagawa
Kassidy Kaneshiro
Laifone Laolao
Julianne Latag
Hope Matsuura
Marcellus McCullah
Sophia Nelson
Arlee Pasion
Austin Sager
Dominic Selch
Kokona Takebe
Zion Tener
Brian Vasquez
Katelyn Ventar
Kirstin Wee

Hawaiian Mission Academy Ka Lama Iki

Keira Agao
Brennan Asao
Aubree Black
Nalia Kekauoha-Kama
Anna Matautia
Alexa McKinney
Blayz Pascal-Martinez
Idelle Reyes
Mia Velazquez Dominguez
Leo Yoon


Hawaiian Mission Academy Maui

Nicolyna Fonua
Kaira DeCambra


Hawaiian Mission Academy Windward Campus

Jax Kirstein
Danika Klein
Ella Price
Sofia Scott
Alexandria Spera


Kahili Adventist School

Danae Daligcon
Jayli Rivera


Kona Adventist Christian School

Jaylene Zavala


Mauna Loa School

Hannah Abogado
Noah Everly
Stanley Gammill
Riley Hirae
Abigail John
Kale Matsuura-Mahuka
Shelby Shim
Derek Sielicki
Alijah Spruell