Janet Makua has worked at St. John's since 1981.  She is originally from California and was raised in the Baptist Church. Janet’s husband Sparky Makua attended Sunday School at St. John’s.  Sparky and Janet met in California and moved back to Maui in 1970 and live in the home he grew up in, a mile and a half from St. John’s.  Janet started with St. John’s as a volunteer, answering phones and helping to recruit other volunteers and now has been the Church Administrator/Parish Secretary for over 40 years! She was confirmed at St. John’s by The Rt. Rev. Edmond L. Browning. Janet and Sparky have 4 children, Christine, David, Andrew and Sarah who all attended Sunday school and served as Acolytes and Crucifers.  And her grandchildren followed that tradition. Janet has worked with Rev. Heather Mueller, Rev. David Moore, Rev. Kerith Harding, Rev. Andrew Walmisley, and now Priest-in-Charge Rev. George Wong.

“I'm excited, and deeply honored, to begin serving as Music Minister at St. John's. I first began working as a church musician way back in the 8th grade, at Messiah Lutheran Church, in Ewa Beach, on Oʻahu. In high school, I served as Organist at Prince of Peace Lutheran in Waikiki and then at St. John Lutheran in Kailua. In college, I studied philosophy, but I eventually returned to music full-time, earning an MFA in Choral Conducting at Cornell, where I also served as Music Director for the Protestant Cooperative Ministry. Since moving back home to Hawaiʻi in 2016, I've served as Choir Director & Organist at Keawalaʻi Congregational and Makawao Union. What I love most about music, and in particular about singing, is the way that it creates and nurtures community. My aim will be to bring that passion to my music ministry at St. John's, and I very much look forward to getting to know you all.”

John has a B.A. in Philosophy earned at Stanford University which clearly informs his understanding of the awesome capacity for music to build connection and deepen relationships.

Stay tuned for Mary’s biography