Service in D.C. honors
culture of Hawaiians

Native Hawaiian culture will be spotlighted at a special worship service Jan. 9, marking "Hawaii State Day" at the landmark Washington National Cathedral.

The 11 a.m. service will feature gospel and Scripture to be read in Hawaiian and will be attended by worshippers and notable public figures from Hawaii.

The cathedral honors individual states at Sunday services throughout the year. Prayers are offered for the government and people of the honored state, with each state highlighted once each year.

On Jan. 9 the right Rev. Richard Chang, Episcopal bishop of Hawaii, will preside as celebrant. U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye will take part in the service, and poet and author Kathleen Norris, who went to high school in Honolulu, will be the guest preacher.

Invited guests include Gov. Linda Lingle, U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, U.S. Reps. Ed Case and Neil Abercrombie, and members of the Hawaii State Society, the organization of Hawaii transplants to the Washington area.

Worshippers from Hawaii will bear Communion elements and offer gifts to the poor.

The state flag will be displayed at the cathedral for the following week. Anthuriums and other native flowers also will adorn the cathedral.

Following the service, the National Cathedral Association will host a reception.

Docents will later lead visitors on a special tour highlighting Hawaii elements in the cathedral, including the state seal and a scene of Molokai.