+ What happened to the golf course?

In 2017, we signed a 10-year lease with a company to run the golf course. This summer, due to economic difficulties related to COVID, our lessee decided to terminate their lease early. On September 30, 2020, the company paid an early termination fee to the church and shut down golf operations. While we’re disappointed the company terminated the lease early, they were the 5th company in 28 years that was unable to make the course financially viable. Even aside from COVID, the rainy conditions at Koolau make it difficult to profitably run a golf course. Golf isn’t entirely gone: Kevin Ralbovsky and his non-profit KMR School of Golf continues to provide private golf lessons every day on the driving range.

+ Now that the golf course has closed, what happens to the property?

Our 246-acre parcel is zoned Conservation land. We believe that God has a vision for the property that will serve our island. We are committed to retaining the conservation character of the property for the long-term. We see the responsibility of the stewardship of this property and we are only just beginning to imagine the possibilities of how it can further serve our mission and the community.

We’ve retained Pono Pacific Land Management LLC as consultants to assist with developing a long-term vision for use of the property that better aligns with the Church’s mission and the future needs of our Ko’olau community. Pono Pacific will also advise on transition options and will help develop interim plans for the property. Pono Pacific has provided natural resource management and large-scale land management expertise in Hawaii for the last 20 years.

+ Aren't we obligated by the DLNR to run a golf course as part of the land use agreement?

Because our property is on Conservation land, it is subject to a Conservation District Use Permit (CDUP). Golf is a permitted use under our CDUP, but not a required use. We are allowed to run a golf course, but we are not forced to run a golf course.

+ How soon can we use our property for other purposes aside from golf?

Our current Conservation District Use Permit (CDUP) allows us to run a golf course. In order to do anything else on the property, we'll need approval from the Department of Land and Natural Resources. We’ll need to develop and prepare new plans and revise our CDUP. We have already begun discussions with the DLNR and look forward to working cooperatively with them to be good stewards of conservation land. That process will take months or longer. We’re looking forward to 2021 and exploring all the new opportunities.

+ What are you asking me to do?

First and foremost, we are asking that you pray and seek God’s leading on what He is asking of you. Prepare your heart to hear Him, and then listen to what He says. Commit to attending all four weeks of the FRESH WIND sermon series. Participate in a special four-week small group study. Make a commitment to JOIN, FINISH STRONG or EXPAND during our Commitment Sunday worship service on Nov 22nd.

We are asking that you make a sacrificial commitment to gospel-centered generosity whatever it is that God leads you to do.

+ How much were we aiming to raise? And why do we need it?

At the beginning of this Raise the Sails journey, we trusted God to move through us in investing a total of $15.5 million from December 2019 to December 2021. The money we raise impacted three areas:

A. Ministry Operations: $9 million will be for current First Prez ministries and day-to-day operations. Our annual budget is $4.5 million, multiplied by 2 years, equals $9 million. This includes Worship, Programs, Outreach, Campus, and Administration.

B. Repairs & Renovations: $5 million for repairs and improvements at our Ko’olau campus. Our Ko’olau campus was constructed in 1992. Recently, a member of our Buildings and Grounds Team stated, “We’re approaching the end of life of every major system on campus.”

The three biggest items for repair were:

• Roof: approximately $1 million to repair our roof. We currently have leaks in the sanctuary, office and children’s ministry.

• Sewer System: approximately $1 million. The City and County is requiring us to decommission our existing multiceptor system and install and retrofit a different sewer system.

• Parking Lot Paving: Approximately $1 million to repave our driveway and parking lot.

Additional projects to be addressed with the funds include elevator repair, renovation of the sound and lighting systems in the Fellowship Hall, and capital replacement over the next few years.

C. Ministry Expansion: $1.5 million will go to expanding the reach of God’s Kingdom locally and globally through new ministries, including at The Vine satellite campus, marketplace ministries, staffing, and training of new leaders and interns.

+ Another fundraising appeal? Haven't we done a bunch of these recently?

Yes, we have. Thank you for your incredible generosity. In recent years, we’ve made a number of requests: $316,000 for the fee to change denominations in 2014; $1.8 million to retire the remaining balance of our loan on the 10th anniversary of our move to Ko’olau in 2016; $547,000 to launch the Vine satellite campus in 2018; the annual request to address the operating deficit. We made the decision during each of those appeals to ask for just the specific amount needed to accomplish the specific goal. For each of those appeals, we considered rolling those requests into a larger multi-million dollar campaign, but decided against it. The result was more frequent, smaller appeals instead of one larger campaign spread out over a longer period. We had previously conducted longer, larger, multiyear campaigns in 2000, 2006, and 2011. We are now embarking on a larger, multi-year campaign that includes all funding needs for the next few years: special projects, repairs and renovation, and our regular annual operating budget.

+ Who made the decision to embark on this generosity journey at this time?

As Presbyterians, all decisions are made and approved by our Session (our volunteer Board of Directors), in consultation with the Holy Spirit, other volunteer teams, and the staff. Our Session, Finance Team, Buildings and Grounds Team, and staff all prayerfully considered and agreed with the necessity to launch RAISE THE SAILS in Dec 2019.

+ If I am committing to Raise the Sails, how does this change my giving to the Operating Fund, or Missions, or other Special Offerings?

During this two-year period, every contribution to God through First Prez is a contribution to our RAISE THE SAILS generosity journey. Every aspect of the ministry vision that God is calling us towards for the next two years will be funded through RAISE THE SAILS. There will not be separate funds. Therefore, every weekend becomes a day to celebrate and contribute towards what God is doing in us and through us as we move God’s mission forward here at First Prez and beyond.

+ Are there additional ways besides cash that I can give more towards Raise the Sails?

Be creative as you explore ways you and your family can give towards RAISE THE SAILS. You might have stocks, property, or other items of that nature. Or you may have other stored resources that God has blessed you with in the past that He might be calling you to donate. In a past campaign, a generous donor sold his motorcycle and gave the proceeds to the church. Please let us know if you need assistance with facilitating gifts of property or stock, and we would be happy to help you with that. You can contact Chris Pan at chris@fpchawaii.org to make a gift of this type.

+ How long is my commitment?

In Nov 2019 we asked that everyone make a two-year commitment. The fulfillment period, or the time that we will actually be collecting your donations, began on Sunday, December 1, 2019 and continues through December 31, 2021. You will have that entire two-year period to give to RAISE THE SAILS. All donations given between December 1, 2019 and December 31, 2021 will go towards RAISE THE SAILS.

But at the midpoint of our journey, Nov 2020, we have just one year to go. So for those of you who are new to the church, we ask that you prayerfully consider a one-year commitment to Raise the Sails. This would run Dec 2020-Dec 2021.

+ What if I have never given to First Prez before?

RAISE THE SAILS was developed specifically with you in mind. RAISE THE SAILS is a “one fund” generosity initiative, meaning that it is different from a traditional capital campaign where you are called to give an extra gift above and beyond your normal giving thus creating two steps for people who are not yet giving. RAISE THE SAILS is a call to sacrificial, gospel-centered generosity for absolutely everyone at First Prez, both members and those attending. If you have never given before, this is your chance to get in the game with a committed sacrifice. We really hope you will.

+What if I am new around here?

RAISE THE SAILS is about the vision for our church and our personal discipleship in giving as followers of Jesus. We believe that the local church is one of the most compelling missions to give towards, and we would really love for you to make First Prez your home and join us in RAISE THE SAILS. If you are ready for it, this is a perfect time for you to put a stake in the ground and make this your church. We need you on the team!

+ Why is there one fund? We have never done it that way before.

We’re collecting for one fund over two years to honor and appreciate all the giving from the congregation, including people’s regular tithes and offerings. ONE FUND means we celebrate both your regular giving, and celebrate additional generosity through increased tithes or additional one-time gifts.

As the leadership, we’ve decided that for the next two years, our total generosity at First Prez will be going to one fund. Raise the Sails will extend from December 1, 2019 through December 31, 2021. In those two years, every gift made to First Prez will go to Raise the Sails to help us raise our sails and be filled with the Holy Spirit’s power and purpose.

+ Why doesn't Ko‘olau Ballroom or Ko‘olau Golf pay for the building repairs?

First Prez owns our 246-acre campus and shares it with Ko‘olau Ballrooms, our wholly owned subsidiary, and Ko‘olau Golf, our tenant. As the landowner and landlord, we are ultimately responsible for the capital repairs and improvements. Ko‘olau Ballrooms and Ko‘olau Golf contribute significantly to the cost of maintaining the facility and the grounds, by offsetting hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of expenses, like property tax, landscaping, utilities, room set-up and custodial and maintenance.

+ Any additional questions?

Please do not hesitate to speak with any of our staff. You can start with our Executive Director Chris Pan: chris@fpchawaii.org.