On October 22, an early morning fire destroyed much of the building that is home to the Central Union Church Preschool in Hawaii. 

The first person on the scene was a custodian, who received a call from the fire department when the new fire alarm that had been recently installed triggered an alarm. No one was hurt in the blaze. Pastor Larry Corbett received the call at 4:50 a.m. on October 22 notifying him of the fire.

Preschool Director Marie Hook immediately initiated a school phone tree and within an hour all 170 families were informed.

Larry said everyone is grateful for the outpouring of love and support since the fire. One of the preschool parents owns a modular home building company and provided portable units for affected classes to use when school resumed on Monday, October 27. He said many others in the community, including other schools, churches, and community groups, offered whatever assistance the school needed. 

The preschool was about to embark on a major fundraising campaign to replace the 104-year-old building. The fire will lend a sense of urgency to the campaign and hasten the timeline for the new building project.

Coincidentally, the Board of the United Church of Christ Insurance Board (UCCIB) was meeting that week in Honolulu. UCCIB President Cathy Green and Vice President for Insurance Operations David Nelson visited the church.

Dave said the atmosphere among the church and preschool members was calm as they worked to clean up what they could. Dave and Cathy both said they were impressed with how much had already been accomplished in the first hours following the fire. 

"We were glad to have been there to assure Larry and the church that we will be following the case and assisting wherever needed," said Cathy.

She said that although it is the insurance adjusters who will settle the loss, the UCCIB is always available to be an advocate for the church when needed.

We, at the IB, extend our sympathies to all who are affected by this.

Article courtesy of the UCC Hawaii Conference Website.