ACCW: ONE MAN’S VISION HELPS THOUSANDS By Cindy Schumacher, Regional Reporter
ACCW Van Blessing in 2013
[April 11, 2024, Hawaiian Church Chronicle] With a leap of faith, Keku Akana, a member of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Wailuku, retired Maui County Deputy Chief of Police, and Founder & President of A Cup of Cold Water (ACCW), realized his vision for a community care-van ministry. In October 2013, the four Episcopal churches on Maui, Holy Innocents in Lahaina, St. John’s Kula, Trinity-by-the-Sea in Kihei, and Good Shepherd in Wailuku, moved on the initiative of one man to serve the growing unsheltered population on the island. The ACCW ministry began with a rotating team of volunteers working to improve the situation of the unhoused in the community.
“Our most important program measure is that we offer nourishment and hope to our fellow citizens and neighbors,” said Keku. “We realize these simple acts of ‘no-strings-attached aloha’ are more necessary than ever. We cannot help everyone, but we can help someone. We are not here to solve poverty. We are here to comfort while we look for ways to minimize the effects of poverty and restore human dignity.”
Now, the all-volunteer outreach ministry includes participants from various church groups, Hongwanji missions, Seabury Hall, medical practitioners, businesses, organizations, and those with no particular affiliation. ACCW makes three van runs a week. Beginning at their supply room at Good Shepherd Church, they visit Central, South and West Maui. With the growing number of items being handed out on every run, maintaining supplies has become a large effort. In addition to bottled water and food pantry items including peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, the van delivers clothing and slippers, tarps, towels, first aid, hygiene items, and more. ACCW also helps clients locate and maintain partnerships with other Maui County support organizations. The volunteer tasks are varied, including van drivers and riders, storage and distribution room organizers, administrators and others.
ACCW is a shining example of how dedicated people can bring compassion into the public arena to serve the common good. “We began offering items to the keiki also, such as reading books, coloring books, crayons, shoes and clothes,” said Keku. “Our goal is to continue to provide hope and comfort where there is need and to serve unselfishly to benefit others.”
When the August wildfires devastated Lahaina and destroyed homes in Kula, donations of money poured into the Diocese. The Rt. Rev. Robert L. Fitzpatrick, Bishop of the Diocese of Hawai'i, immediately designated ACCW to receive some of the funds and distribute them to people displaced by the fires. The all-volunteer ACCW staff struggled to quickly establish financial procedures for handling relief funds, and to adapt its van runs as folks were moved into available housing. Distributing funds to those in need is handled through the Maui clergy, and just recenlty, an administrative Outreach Ministry Aide has been hired.
ACCW is a breathtaking mission for all who encounter it. It is a testimony to the Lord. A well-organized effort, ACCW constantly needs a cadre of goodwill messengers to keep the wheels turning. Volunteers all agree, “It is not about us doing this. It’s about ACCW doing it. It’s about giving and sharing and acknowledging that there are people who need help. It’s a joy for us to be able to help. The joy of someone caring fills the clients’ hearts and minds, not just their stomachs. ACCW is a church beyond its walls; it overflows into the community.”
A Message from Keku Akana, Founder and First Prsident of ACCW
“We must continue to work together in collective community as a result of the great need to feed our homeless and houseless in Lahaina and throughout the island. This model of service that we have created on Maui is a truly all-volunteer representation which places its mission in spiritual gratitude and the spreading of responsibilities. Committed volunteers are now from all walks of life and faiths.
“Our ACCW objective was and is to (1) fulfill our baptismal covenant as Christians to seek and serve Christ in all persons and (2) help fill a gap in direct services to the houseless population and help support some of the existing direct-contact street outreach programs and services, both faith based and secular. We made a concentrated effort to avoid any duplication of services to the target population.
“We formed a Board of Directors and decided that the Mission will be a faith-based 501c3 non-profit organization under the Hawaii Episcopal Diocese, using the shared ministry participation concept with all of the Maui Episcopal Churches and friends. Various responsibilities were assigned to Board members and we began to seek dedicated and committed volunteers, conduct presentations to the Episcopal Church vestries, conduct mandatory church trainings, obtain monetary donations, apply for Church and other non-restrictive grants, work out operational logistics, study our mission field to develop routes and locales, set up a small supply room, design tee shirts and informational brochures, and secure a new and functional van which would be the cornerstone of our mission to service with mobility.
“Several key factors contributed to the timely launching of ACCW. We received a United Thank Offering National Grant of $15,000, a Diocese of Hawaii Commission on Ministry Beyond the Church Grant of $5,000, the unbelievable gift of $15,000 from an anonymous donor, several gifts of $1,000 from committed Episcopalians, and the generosity of our Maui Episcopal Churches all giving $800-1,000 each from their respective church budgets. In addition, we received donations from Grace Episcopal of Molokai, the Outreach Committee from St. Peter's Church on Oahu, and numerous other financial gifts from church members, along with friends and family from outside the Church. We have also been blessed with some church members who have decided to give ACCW a generous monthly donation.
“Also, we must mention the staunch and focused support of Bishop Fitzpatrick and his Diocesan staff of Irina Martikainan, Peter Pereira and Sybil Nishioka; and our Maui clergy, including Mother Linda Decker and her husband John, Father Marvin Lee Foltz, Father Austin Murray, Father Bill Albinger, Rev. Kerith Harding and the Rev. Amy Crowe.
“Also critical was our application for a new 501c3 non-profit organization and ensuring that we had proper legal counsel and direction both in financial matters and the organizational formation of ACCW to include By-laws, Articles of Incorporation, and the Application for the 501c3
recognition by the IRS. For this we must thank our Diocesan Financial Chief Peter Pereira and Senator Gil Keith-Agaran.
“Without our faithful Episcopal Women, ACCW would never have gotten off the ground. It was Jean Fiddes who first gave the vision an attentive ear and was a driving force from St. John’s, Mother Linda Decker who encouraged us to explore the idea further, Kit Hart who was the first volunteer from St. John's to jump up and say, "aye Captain, warp speed", Paula Baldwin of Trinity, who does stalwart work for us in prayer and determination and always offered of herself in any way to see this mission through. Plus, Donna Tarsitano was our beacon of light at Holy Innocents and West Maui. Louise Aloy is always on red alert for supplies and was part of the National UTO Board that gifted us. Cora Brown is our "accidental secretary" at our outreach hub, always doing duty for Good Shepherd while gracefully handling any ACCW activity which crossed her path at the hub.
“And let us not forget Jeanne Abe of Good Shepherd, the morning star of our supply room, and brudda George! Susie Davis of Trinity, who bought up nearly every storage bin on Maui and hunted down the ACCW van when it first arrived on Maui, tape measure in hand, excited and ready to stock the van to the brim. More recently, Marilynn Hirashima has assumed oversight of the supply room at Good Shepherd. Some of her responsibilities include shopping at Costco and elsewhere and ordering online. Her husband John also assumed responsibilities including van maintenance, run leader, and scheduling van routes. Mention must also go to Cindy Akana who was asked to perform many tasks "behind the scenes" from a sometimes overly aggressive ACCW president and husband.
“Lastly, I must save special mention for Mary Lou Mellinger, who gave us "outreach acupuncture", while using a cattle prod and branding irons to jostle us Christians to "hit the road jack". It is to her that this President and the entire ACCW Board of Directors dedicate the launching of ACCW by the grace of God. Mahalo plenty, Mary Lou!
“As in any task of this measure, we can never say thank-you enough times to all of you. We always bear the possibility of forgetting folks who have given of themselves in so many ways. Please forgive us. Mahalo!”
Paula Baldwin: The First ACCW Woman President
Paula Baldwin took over the position as the first woman ACCW president. “Baldwin did a fantastic job!” Keku said. “Becoming the president of an all-volunteer homeless outreach ministry with more than 70 volunteers and plenty of moving parts is no easy feat. Under Paula’s leadership the ACCW group, and other wonderful volunteers, have realized all-around better communications. We launched the ACCW e-newsletter, organized a hard-copy filing system including operational and administrative forms, ensured regular and timely board meetings, and created open communications among the various units of ACCW, including van run leaders, ride volunteers, supply team, and support staff. Most of all, Paula worked her way through many of the subtle and behind-the-scenes challenges that an outreach such as ours encounters as we deal
with day-to-day operations. She kept things within the realm of simplicity, safety, and specificity, keeping it focused on the chronic houseless poor as we serve on the streets of Maui.”
Keku added, “Baldwin is a visible miracle, a woman of great strength, grit, and tenacity. She answered a call at a time in life when most women, or men, are content with a slow pace, a ‘me’ calendar, and an ‘I’ lifestyle.” Agreeing, ACCW volunteer Jean Fiddes said, “I want to thank Paula for saying ‘Yes’ to this earnest work, and for her heartfelt service.”
Paula herself said, “It gave me joy to use my organizational skills, join committed friends, and watch ACCW continue to grow as a life-giving project—life-giving for those we serve and life-giving for us. We are all one community, serving and being served. I have always found that helping those in need brings more happiness to our own lives.
“We are a smooth-running wheel with many spokes. ACCW will not solve the homeless issue on Maui, we will not find housing for all, and we will not change the life of the mentally ill on the street. But we can and do offer hope, some healing, and help as we arrive on time at the same place each week with the cold water, snacks, freshly-made peanut-butter sandwiches, the slippers really needed right then, the new t-shirt needed so someone can go to a job interview, the sweater to make it through another cold night.
“These tangible items of hope, healing, and help are given with honor, smiles, hugs, prayers, talk-story, and compassion. There is another gift given on each van run. Each run leader and the run riders come home tired, yes, but we come home covered with the smiles and blessings and thanks we have received as gifts from those we served. I honor every volunteer who has given hours, hard work, brain power, and their gift of honor to the others. Each job is equal in importance. Mahalo nui loa.”
Deb Lynch: ACCW Second Woman President (and first woman van driver!)
Deb said, “In 2020, right after I became President, Covid interrupted people’s lives and the van runs. Covid-19 was hard on our mission, but it didn’t stop the love and caring that so many gave ACCW so that it could continue to share God’s love with hands and hearts.
“We continued to offer water, nutrition, hygiene, masks, and comfort to Maui’s neediest citizens, along with offering spiritual food, hope and referrals for those who desire it. The South and West Maui mission runs were then still on hold until further notice. ACCW also supplied other on-going outreach programs, such as Maui Mental Health Kokua, Hale Kaukau, and the Salvation Army, with perishable food items, hygiene and first aid.
“ACCW began their direct services mission as a no-salary, all-volunteer mission. In 2019 they made almost 10,000 homeless service contacts through their weekly mission runs to Central, South, and West Maui.
“Thanks to our core of volunteers from within the community, and our wide range of supporters, the program has grown into a very loved outreach ministry for the island. Van drivers and riders,
storage and distribution room organizers, administrators, donors, and other volunteers, are a shining example of how dedicated people bring compassion into the public arena to serve those in need. During this time of great need, we encouraged everyone to also vigorously support local frontline charities with monetary or food donations. For example, support is always needed at the Maui Food Bank, the Salvation Army, Feed My Sheep, Family Life Center, Hale Kaukau of Saint Theresa’s Catholic Church, Ka Ohana Kitchen of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, Maui Rescue Mission, Ka Hale A Ke Ola, and food pantries. Every outreach ministry of our greater community needs help.
“The entire Maui community, individuals, businesses, thrift stores, churches, Buddhist Temples, and Maui Humane Society, all generously made in-kind and financial donations to us. Wailuku McDonald’s always supplied ice for our cold water and the Good Shepherd office team was always supporting and helping. There are so many to thank. Truly, people do care about the unsheltered here and want to help.
“It has been a blessing for me to serve during the past few years of the pandemic as president of this wonderful ministry. I also plan to help Cathy Paxton-Haines transition into the President position. She has fresh ideas and a true heart for the unsheltered here on Maui. ACCW gratefully welcomes her and looks forward to her inspiration, compassion, and guidance.
“The challenges of the pandemic were both a hardship for those surviving on the streets and a wonderful time of compassion and creativity for those who were determined to continue to help them. The number of friends who helped make peanut-butter and jelly sandwiches, work in the supply room, and so much more, is astounding, heartfelt, and much needed. I saw courage, innovation, dedication, loving-kindness, thoughtfulness, gratitude, generosity, prayers, hope, and humor in the genuine sharing of God’s love. I learned that sharing God’s love is one of the greatest gifts we have to give, not only to those we serve, but also with each other.”
Cathy Paxton-Haines: Current ACCW President
Cathy Paxton-Haines, from St. John’s Kula, was busy taking care of her family for years, as well as with caring for her mom, who passed away at the age of 95. It was then that she decided it was time to become involved with ACCW.
Cathy said, “The year 2023 has brought encouraging changes. The number of those whom ACCW serves is growing. During the pandemic, some van runs were suspended, but it was clear that ACCW is well loved, desperately needed, and is continuing.
“I am so incredibly grateful to the handful of dedicated people who continued the ministry through all the challenges presented by Covid, and I am excited now to be a run leader, a driver, and also the new ACCW President. I hope we can continue to attract more volunteers and funds in order to continue serving the unsheltered on Maui.
“Prior to Covid there were more than 70 volunteers, and that number dwindled to about 7 during the pandemic. However, very recently, we have recruited more volunteers, and now a much needed paid employee, to help in all aspects of the ministry.
“Since the August 8th wildfires, ACCW has been providing direct assistance to residents who have lost their homes and businesses. The worst of the damage was experienced by Maui’s West Side community of Lahaina, where the Holy Innocents Episcopal Church building, now lost to the fire, had stood in historic Lahaina town since 1927. The Hawaii Diocese immediately coordinated relief efforts through ACCW and the Bishop’s Pastoral Fund. Donations were made to the US Disaster Fund for Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD) to directly provide support in collaboration with local partners. In addition, the ERD sent representatives to Maui for a healing workshop and continues to offer support. We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of so many people near and far. There has been a great outpouring of loving-kindness here. There has been so much devastation, but so much love and compassion at the same time.
“Bishop Fitzpatrick said he was moved to tears by all of the love and generosity from donors and ACCW volunteers. He wrote, ‘The greatest gift has been your solidarity and your prayers; thank you. These months have reminded us in Hawaii of our need for one another and to trust in God’s Love.
“Presently, we are on the West Side in Lahaina on Tuesdays, Central Maui on Thursdays, and Kihei in South Maui on Saturdays. We also do an occasional Wednesday medical van run to Paia. Looking towards the future, I am excited about what we can do together. This is an incredibly important ministry!”
Final Thoughts from our Maui Clergy
Rev. John A. Hau’oli Tomoso, Trinity-by-the-Sea in Kihei, shared, “Since 2013, ACCW has helped us, as Episcopalians, to live out and nurture our Baptismal Covenant in and among those we love. Every time I go on a run in the van, I feel the love.”
Rev. Moki Hino, Good Shepherd Church Wailuku, agreed, “ACCW helps disciples to honor their Baptismal Covenant. We do this by seeking and serving Christ in all persons and respecting the dignity of every human being.”
Rev. George Wong, St. John’s Kula, said, “Since its founding, ACCW has met the houseless community where they are, on the beaches, street corners and back roads of Central, South and West Maui. Providing basic essentials and a compassionate presence in the aftermath of the wildfires and the increasingly acute housing crisis; the mission of ACCW is ever more important and relevant and will remain urgently needed for a long time to come.”
Rev. Amy Crowe and Rev. Heather Mueller have also been going on van runs. Both have noticed, “When asked if they would like a blessing, almost without exception, people say they would. Nearly all seem hungry for spiritual nourishment as well as food.”
Keku, Paula, Deb, and Cathy thank all those in the Diocese of Hawaii and beyond who have sent prayers and support for ACCW from its beginning and especially now during one of the most challenging times we’ve ever had. With the help of many other individuals, businesses, hotels, private foundations, and friends, Keku’s vision to take the love of Jesus Christ out onto the street to those who live in despair and poverty continues. ACCW remains an ecumenical Christian outreach mission to the poor and destitute who live in the Maui community.
