King’s Cathedral
Drive-in service continues
Amid mixed messages from county and state officials, one of Maui’s largest churches is moving forward with drive-in church services on Easter Sunday.
King’s Cathedral said it still plans to hold its drive-in service at 7 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., as well as a healing communion service at 6 p.m.
“We’re not in any way putting anyone in danger,” Senior Pastor James Marocco said Friday. “Now, if we were having church inside our building, I could see why people would be concerned about that.”
When asked about King’s Cathedral’s service during a news conference Friday, state Department of Health Director Bruce Anderson said that he didn’t see a problem with it.
“As long as people maintain the physical distancing, at least six feet, and respect that throughout the activities, I don’t see any problem whatsoever with that,” Anderson said. “But they do need to be careful about that and not to let down their guard.”
However, during a news conference later in the day, Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino said he was asking all religious groups “to really reconsider any services, such as a drive-in service.”
“If they can do it by videoconferencing or through television or through the internet or even teleconferencing, I’ll be happy with that, but I would and I’m asking them not to have any drive-in services this weekend,” he said.
However, Marocco said by phone Friday afternoon that he had “just finished talking with the mayor,” who had agreed to let King’s Cathedral proceed.
“People are extremely in need of a touch from God,” Marocco said. “When I shared that with the mayor, he’s a man who has a real sensitive heart, and he said, ‘Well, go ahead.’ ”
Victorino said in a statement Friday evening that “I’m not happy about it, but I’m going to allow it.”
“They’ve said that they’re doubling down on their saniti