Historic church sold for $46,641

KALAOA, Hawaii >> A historic North Kona church that was put up for auction following a decades-long dispute over ownership has been purchased by the Free Church of Tonga, one of several groups that worships at the facility.

Mauna Ziona Church was among about 100 properties sold for back taxes Tuesday. Fine Teutau, Free Church of Tonga pastor, outbid two other bidders for the property, which was listed at $46,641 in back taxes and costs, West Hawaii Today reported Wednesday.

The property includes the 10-acre church plot and a 60-acre adjoining parcel, which sold for a winning bid of $422,000.

Taxes have not been paid on the building since the Hawaii Conference United Church of Christ, which was started by missionaries in 1820, turned it over to Norman Keanaaina in 2009 as settlement in a lawsuit.

The conference had sued Keanaaina in 2007 after he filed a deed and affidavit with the state Bureau of Conveyances purporting ownership of the church.

Two families claim ownership of the property. The county’s title search documents show the nonprofit Mauna Ziona Church as fee owner, along with Jean Keka on the larger parcel. Keanaaina is listed as president of the nonprofit corporation in reports filed with the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

Keanaaina has claimed Hawaii County does not have the right to collect taxes on the building.

Jessica Keka, answering calls placed to family member Jean Keka, said the county’s actions will not stand up in court.