GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM Yesterday was Good Friday, the traditional remembrance of the death of Jesus. Retired Salvation Army Maj. Richard Taba left a handwritten prayer on a cross on the altar of the Salvation Army on Vineyard Boulevard. Churches around the island will celebrate Jesus' resurrection tomorrow with services beginning at sunrise.

Easter joy greets the sun

Gathering at dawn on Easter Sunday to celebrate Christ's resurrection is a tradition that is especially suited to Hawaii's clement temperature.

Island Christians have gathered for an Easter sunrise service in Puowaina crater -- Punchbowl -- for 106 years, a tradition started before it became the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

The 6:15 a.m. service tomorrow will include an Easter message by the Rev. Charles Buck, United Church of Christ Hawaii Conference minister, music by the Royal Hawaiian Band and South Pacific recording artist Lagani Laveti, and a liturgical dance by Maryknoll Sister Yoo Soo Kim.

Gates will open at 4:30 a.m. TheBus will run special shuttles at 5 and 5:20 a.m. from Monsarrat Avenue, with stops on Kuhio Avenue, Kalakaua Avenue, Alapai Terminal. For information, call 384-8701.

Other sunrise services include:

» Magic Island, 6 a.m. -- Calvary Chapel Honolulu will hold a contemporary worship service with hula and a message by Pastor Bill Stonebraker, followed by baptisms in the lagoon. Children's ministry will be provided under tents. Call 524-0844.

» Kakaako Waterfront Park, 6:30 a.m. -- Our Redeemer Lutheran Church will hold a worship service at the Diamond Head pavilion.

» Kaiaka Park, Haleiwa, 6:30 a.m. -- A service of music and ministry under a big tent will be sponsored by eight area churches. The park is on Haleiwa Road across from Waialua Fire Station. Call 638-9686.

» Kaaawa, 51-558 Kamehameha Highway, 6:30 a.m. -- Hope United Methodist Church will celebrate Christ's resurrection at 6:30 a.m. on the meadow just north of Kaaawa Fire Station. Egg hunt will follow.

» Palama, 296 Vineyard Blvd., 6:30 a.m. -- The service at the Salvation Army, Kauluwela Mission Corps, is open to the public. Salvation Army services also will be held at 11 a.m. at Kaneohe Corps, 45-175 Waikalua Road, and 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Leeward Corps, 98-612 Moanalua Loop, Aiea.

» Kaneohe, Koolau Golf Course, 6 a.m. -- The First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu will sponsor an outdoor service on the greens. Easter services in the sanctuary will be at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. Free child care is available for all services. Call 532-1111.

» Makiki, 1660 S. Beretania St., 6 a.m. -- "Youth on the Move" will lead the contemporary service at Central Union Church.

Other Easter services:

» Aala Park, Beretania and King streets, 10 a.m., contemporary service by Lighthouse Ministry.

» Central Union Church, 1660 S. Beretania St. Easter services at 7 and 9 a.m., followed by an egg hunt. Contemporary worship at 11:30 a.m. in the parish hall features jazz trumpeter Valery Ponomarev and Samoan Gospel Herald group.

» First Christian Church, 1516 Kewalo St. 9 a.m. pancake breakfast, 10:30 a.m. service, 12:15 p.m. egg hunt.

» First United Methodist Church, 1020 S. Beretania St. Joint English-Tongan service at 10 a.m., followed by egg hunt.

» Moanalua Community Church, 4867 Bougainville Drive. Service at 10:30 a.m. followed by Easter carnival with bouncy castles, games and egg hunt from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

» Our Lady of Peace Cathedral, Fort Street Mall. Mass of the Resurrection, 10:30 a.m. All Catholic parishes will have Easter Masses.

» Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1404 University Ave. Service at 9 a.m., followed by brunch and egg hunt.

» St. Andrew's Cathedral, Queen Emma Square. Holy Eucharist at 7, 8 and 10 a.m., followed by egg hunt.

» St. John Lutheran Church, 1004 Kailua Road. Services at 8 and 10:30 a.m., 9:15 a.m. egg hunt and Easter brunch.

» Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Pacific, 930 Lunalilo St. Christ's resurrection will be celebrated at a service beginning at 11 p.m. today. At the Great Vespers of Love at 11 a.m. tomorrow, the Gospel will be read in the many different languages of the congregation.

» Wahiawa Christian Church, 1710 Royal Palm Drive. "All you can eat" breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m. precedes 10:45 a.m. worship. Cost: $4 adults, $2 children.

» Windward United Church of Christ, 38 Kaneohe Bay Drive. Worship service 9 a.m., egg hunt to follow.