Over 80 people turned out for the Diocese's annual Chrism Mass and Spring Training event held at The Cathedral of St. Andrew on Saturday, March 4, 2023. The day began with the Chrism Mass at 9:00 AM, and was followed by the Spring Training Plenary session presented by the Diocesan Listening Team. After lunch, two afternoon sessions of workshops were offered.  READ MORE

Dora Liu Kraul has a lot to celebrate these days, and the many people in the Diocese whose lives she has touched are celebrating right alongside her! On February 19, 2023, Dora became an official centenarian! But that wasn't all. Just a few days later, Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick appointed and inducted her as an Honorary Canon of the Cathedral of St. Andrew. Both accomplishments are extraordinary, but for those who know her well, it's not surprising. READ MORE

On Sunday, March 5, 2023, The Cathedral of St. Andrew held a special Evensong service commemorating the life and legacy of their former organist and choirmaster, Canon John McCreary. He was hailed as a prodigy who devoted his life to music. The pews were packed and the evening's line up of performances was spectacular! You can watch this remarkable service in its entirety on YouTube HERE. You can also view a slideshow of John McCreary by Robyn McCreary HERE, and read an article on the KHON2 News HERE. (Photos by the Ven. Steve Costa)

In the last issue of the Chronicle, the Bishop shared that Denise Esposito, his Executive Assistant, was retiring in April. As we prepare to bid a fond aloha to Denise, we are delighted to welcome Puanani “Nani” Carroll to the Diocesan Support Center (DSC) team!

Nani comes to the DSC with a diverse array of skills and several years of office, process improvement, and project management experience. She graduated from Kamehameha Schools Kapālama. She has been eagerly training with Denise the past two weeks and getting to know Episcopal language and structure, and of course, our Bishop! She is still smiling and laughing, so we are pretty sure she isn’t going to run for the hills! Please include Nani (and Denise) in any emails to Bishop Bob. Her email address is [email protected].

The Episcopal Church's Executive Council approved the awarding of seven Constable Fund grants and nine Roanridge Trust grants—together totaling $495,678—at its February meeting.

Constable Fund grants focus on mission initiatives that fall outside the church’s budget, with an emphasis on religious education. Roanridge Trust grants support leadership development in small towns and rural communities. READ MORE

Our own St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Wahiawa was a recipient of $20K, to support the development of a three-year program toward education, training, and organizing a collaborative; to provide increased food security; and disaster readiness for rural communities in central O'ahu.

The Rev. Annalise Pasalo of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Kailua, is currently in New York City attending the 67th Annual United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. The conference began on March 6 and runs through the 17th. She is one of nine Episcopal delegates representing Presiding Bishop Michael Curry.

The UN Commission is dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. The theme for this year's session is “Innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.” This is the first in-person gathering since 2019. To read the latest ENS article on the conference, click HERE.

Pictured at top left, second from right, is Annalise with fellow Episcopal delegates (Emmanuel Facebook page), and at right U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres (at podium) during the opening session (ENS News/UN Photo Service).

For those seeking Sunday School (or similar) programming, please join this one-hour online session to learn more about StoryMakers and their fantastic curriculum. The Diocese will be making this available at no cost to our congregations, starting with the Easter Season through next year. This introductory online session is being led by its founder specifically for our Diocese. For more information, visit the StoryMaker website HERE or contact Canon Sandy Graham HERE who will also provide the webinar connection link.

Over the next few months, the Diocese of Hawai'i's youth delegation will be busy fundraising for the triennial Episcopal Youth Event (EYE23) in July being held at the University of Maryland. The Hawai'i delegation will be staying a few extra days for community service in the Washington, DC area. This is a wonderful and oftentimes transformative experience for our high school youth!

The costs for travel to the East Coast and post-EYE mission arrangements will be high. If you can't make it to one of their car washes, bake sales or other fundraisers, order a Diocese of Hawai'i t-shirt, where a portion of every sale goes directly to the EYE23 Youth fund. The front and back design is similar to previous t-shirt fundraisers but with an updated church listing on the back that includes our schools and camp. The shirts are available in four different colors, in sizes S to 4XL in most colors (there is an extra charge for extended sizes). A women's V-neck style in purple and red are also available.

The t-shirt campaign is now open and ends on the March 29. Shirts will be mailed about two weeks after that date. To order a shirt or two or more, click on the button below. For those on O'ahu, or those who will be traveling to O'ahu, you may select the bulk shipping delivery option to save on shipping charges. Then make arrangements with the Diocesan Support Center to pick your shirt(s) up at the office. Shirts should be available after April 15. Credit/Debit Card donations are also welcome through the t-shirt fundraising link, or on the Diocean website HERE.

For the second year in a row, the Diocese of Hawai'i will be holding a Prayer Hike concurrently on three islands. This year, family members are invited to join in, so get ready for a great day of hiking, prayer, fun and fellowship! Hikes take place on Saturday, March 25, beginning at 9:00 AM. Hikes should be completed by 1:00 PM. ​​

For more information, visit the Diocesan Youth webpage HERE, or download the flyer including the Prayer Hike Guide HERE, then register HERE. Be sure to complete the Waiver/Release form HERE and bring it with you.

During Open Cathedral hours on Wednesdays, The Cathedral of St. Andrew is excited to bring back a volunteer opportunity to offer tours and greet visitors to St. Andrew’s. Join the Docent crew and learn all about the history of our beautiful and holy space – AND share that story with all who come by on Wednesdays. There will be two two-hour blocks: 9:00-11:00 AM and 1:00-3:00 PM, with a docent ready to answer questions and welcome folks in each of those blocks. Training will occur in March. If you are interested in learning more, email Canon Heather HERE.

'Iolani School in Honolulu is seeking a full-time Chaplain Curate for a two-year period. Housing is provided. The full job description can be viewed HERE. Apply directly with the school through their online portal HERE.

All Saints' Episcopal Church in Kapa'a has lined up another Makana Mele Organ Concert featuring Caroline Robinson, on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at 6:00 PM. Dr. Robinson has performed at many distinguished venues across the U.S. and abroad. She currently holds the post of Organist and Associate Choirmaster at the Cathedral of St. Philip in Atlanta, GA. For more information visit their website HERE. All Saints' is located at 4-1065 Kuhio Highway. Donations welcomed.

The Whale Watch Tour benefiting the four Episcopal Churches on Maui took place on Sunday, March 5, 2023. It was a tremendous success! All 135 spaces were booked by congregation members from Good Shepherd, Holy Innocents, St. John's, and Trinity By-the-Sea, as well as folks from Seabury Hall and Kihei Lutheran Church. We were blessed with a beautiful day and tons of whales around us and up close.

Mahalo to Canon Sandy Graham for joining us after concelebrating the Holy Eucharist at Trinity By-the-Sea with Father John Hau'oli Tomoso. Father Tomoso and his wife Susan also enjoyed the excursion. Mahalo to the Rev. Moki Hino and Dixie Kaetsu, and a big Mahalo to the Rev. Heather Mueller for joining in the day's fun as well. We look forward to next year's Whale Watch benefit! (Top photo by Terri Zipf; bottom photos by Churck Spence)

The Rev. Amy Crowe, who has been suffering with Long Covid, is organizing a Long Covid support group that will meet weekly on Wednesdays via Zoom. The first meeting will kick off on March 15, which is desginated as Long Covid Awareness Day. The meeting will run from 8:30-9:30AM. For more information download the flyer HERE.

The Bishop is all smiles during his Visitation to St. James' on Sunday, February 26. He and Bea also got to take part in a grand procession to the graveyard for their Keiki to bury the alleluias for the Season of Lent. (Photo from the St. James' Facebook page)

March 5, 2023] The Rt. Rev. Frank Tracy Griswold III, the 25th presiding bishop of The Episcopal Church, died on March 5 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Griswold, 85, was bishop of the Diocese of Chicago when he was elected at the 72nd General Convention in Philadelphia in July 1997 to succeed Presiding Bishop Edmund Browning. (Photo: Reuters) READ MORE

BISHOP'S SCHOLARSHIPS FUNDS - Applications are now being accepted for two Diocesan Scholarship funds that are available to students for the 2023-2024 school year.

The submission deadline is Friday, April 7, 2023, at 4:00 PM (HST). For more information, eligibility requirements and to download the application packet, click HERE. Should you have any questions, please e-mail Denise Esposito.

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH 2023-2024 EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS - Applications are being accepted for a wide variety of educational scholarships from The Episcopal Church for the 2023-2024 academic year. The deadline to apply is April 12. All applicants must be Episcopalian. The maximum award is $10,000 per student. For more information, including the list of scholarship trust funds and online (only) application link, click HERE.

Required Safe Church Training - This is a reminder that Safe Church training is mandatory for all clergy, employees, vestry members, and most volunteers. Please read The Episcopal Diocese of Hawai‘i Safeguarding Policy and the Diocesan Safe Church Training Webpage. This training needs to be renewed every three years. Contact your church's Safe Church Administator or priest for more information, or if you have questions, email Denise Esposito.