Nonprofit director reimagines interfaith organizationʻs next steps

Just over six months into her new gig, Rev. Estela Chao-Reza serves as the director of Faith Action for Community Equity.  

With more than 10 years of experience in local church ministry, spiritual care and community engagement, Chao-Reza is an ordained church elder with formal training in urban and intercultural studies. She has a Ph.D. in Spiritual Formation, a ministry degree that focuses on research and building leadership.  

Faith Action Hawaiʻi aims to bridge local faith communities with social justice issues in the Islands, including housing and rights for the homeless, environmental challenges and more, by providing its network with resources and support.  

The constituency is diverse, representing different faiths around Oʻahu, she told Aloha State Daily. The grassroots, interfaith organization based in Honolulu was started in 1996 “by a group of people passionate about seeing change in their community,” she said. “We’re a nonprofit driven by a spiritual commitment and passion to help bring justice and equity for all people in Hawaiʻi.”  

Chao-Reza sees her role as a liaison for mobilizing causes that align with the organization’s mission, which states, "Compelled by our faith, we will act justly and speak boldly for all of the divine's creation in Hawaiʻi." She also writes grants and manages the nonprofit’s annual budget of about $200,000, in addition to overseeing operations with help from the board of directors.  

According to her, Faith Action Hawaiʻi currently has a network of approximately 500 to 600 people on its mailing list, not to mention more than 50 faith-based community organizations and over 20 partners.

The org also has more than 1,000 followers on Instagram.

“My role is also to keep people informed with the Legislature and any other local initiatives,” Chao-Reza said, adding that the group is watching The Honolulu City Councilʻs Bill 46, an empty homes tax, among other bills related to housing.

"During Covid, the organization was put on pause due to its reliance on large gatherings and physical meetings. "Now that we’ve restructured, we’re also reimagining. We have ideas and a vision for where we’re going next.”  

In a letter online, Faith Action Hawaiʻi Board President Moses Barrios said, “Part of the next steps into the future will be to rebuild partnership with churches, faith communities and other organizations, and nonprofits who align with our heart and mission to serve the people of Hawaiʻi.”  

Chao-Reza is the sole full-time, paid staff member of Faith Action Hawaiʻi. She shares leadership responsibilities with three volunteer board members.

For more information, email board@hifaithaction.org.

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros can be reached at kelsey@alohastatedaily.com.