DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Kalahikiola Congregational Church Pastor George Baybrook talked with Lingle as Jennie Vega looked on.
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2 quake-damaged Big Island churches found unsafe
Two historic Big Island churches -- including the oldest Christian church in Hawaii -- were "red-tagged" by county officials yesterday, declared unsafe for occupation because of damage from Sunday's earthquakes.
Contractors have told members of Kalahikiola Congregational Church in Kapaau it will cost from $800,000 to $3 million to rebuild.
Photos of the damaged church were among the first images published of Sunday's earthquakes.
The first reaction of members is a desire to rebuild the North Kohala church, said the Rev. George Baybrook, interim pastor. The church council took a "straw vote" at a Tuesday meeting, he said. "The majority felt we should rebuild. But it is not a definitive decision. The congregation makes the decisions in a Congregational church."
County inspectors also declared Mokuaikaua Church in Kailua-Kona unsafe after examining the floor-to-ceiling cracks that developed near the corners in both east- and west-side walls. The structure dates back to 1835, making it the oldest Christian church in Hawaii.
"The wall did not fall," said the Rev. Henry Bochard. Church leaders did not consider the cracks in 4-foot-thick lava rock walls to be dangerous, and the 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday services were held as usual.
A structural engineer is expected to assess the damage next week, but "from a lay standpoint, we figured about $500,000 to repair, reinforce the walls," Bochard said. That comes on top of $200,000 spent for recent updating of the electrical wiring and sound system.
"The Civil Defense does not want to take the risk of the public coming into the church. With this disheartening decision, we don't know what the cost will be," Bochard said. "The red flag is conditioned on our structural engineer's decision."
Both churches have insurance through the national United Church of Christ denomination to which they belong. Both qualify for loans and grants from the denomination's local and national offices, said the Rev. Charles Buck, Hawaii conference minister.
The pastor said as many as 250 people attend each Sunday service at the landmark church in the midst of Kailua-Kona hotels. Services will be moved to the activity center on the grounds, which holds about 150 people.
The North Kohala congregation will meet in the social hall for the 9:30 a.m. Sunday service.
"We had offers from other churches to share space, but we decided to stay at our own site," said Baybrook.
Quake Updates
Kona hospital units back up next Friday
Kona Community Hospital expects to have services fully restored by next Friday after having to shut down some units and relocate several of its patients because of earthquake damage.
The hospital will welcome back today 29 long-term-care patients who have been staying at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa Convention Center, and another six acute-care patients who were airlifted to Hilo Medical Center.
The quakes damaged one operating room and the hospital's birth unit. Despite the damage, six babies have been delivered since Sunday.
Also, the hospital is partnering with state Civil Defense to set up a mobile emergency treatment unit for tomorrow's Ford Ironman World Championship triathlon, which should attract some 20,000 competitors.
Laupahoehoe library to remain closed
The Laupahoehoe Public and School Library on the Big Island will remain closed until further notice because of earthquake damage.
The book drop will remain closed as well.
The state Department of Accounting and General Services inspected the building and found it unsafe, according to a news release from the state library system.
Customers may visit neighboring libraries.
Landfill accepting damaged electronics
Computers, television sets and other electronic waste damaged by the earthquakes can be taken to the Puuanahulu landfill on the Big Island for proper disposal, according to a news release from Waste Management Inc., the private company that operates the landfill.
West Hawaii residents may also drop off "e-waste" at county transfer stations, but the items should not be put down the chutes.
Sensors, electrical switches and gauges can contain mercury and are banned from normal household disposal.
Some components in electronic devices also can break down and potentially cause soil and ground-water contamination.
Used electronics could have parts that can be recycled.