Candlelight vigil planned at Old Kona Airport Park

KAILUA-KONA — A candlelight vigil will be held tonight to honor the victims of the mass shooting last weekend at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, which has claimed the lives of 49 people thus far and left 53 more injured.

Aloha Metropolitan Community Church Kona is co-sponsoring the event with its sister congregation, Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church, which is located in Pahoa. The vigil will be held at First Pavilion at Old Kona Airport Park and will begin at 6 p.m.

“I know a lot of people are hurting, and we must let everyone know that we are all God’s kids,” said Barbara Riley, who also goes by Reverend Leilani and serves as pastor at Aloha MCC Kona. “It’s a time of healing to remember those taken too soon, and a (way to let the LGBT community know) there’s a place where you’re loved.”

Riley’s senior pastor, Reverend Dr. William Knight of Open Arms MCC in Pahoa, will also speak at the multicultural, interfaith event. The vigil will include several speakers, songs, traditional Hawaiian chants and a reading of names as candles are lit.

People of all faiths and all ages are invited to attend.

“It’s important to provide an opportunity for our community to stand in unity with the Orlando victims and to stand with our LGBT ohana here in Kona and everywhere,” Riley said.