May 27, 2026

Editor's Note: This Special Edition Chronicle email is an abbreviated version of the full-feature article on the diocesan news website that contains extended coverage, insights, interview, memorable moments, video clips and lots of photos. To view the full article, click HERE.

Historic Election of the Sixth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i

[Honolulu, HI] "IMUA! ONWARD!" declared the new bishop-elect of The Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i! On Saturday, May 16, 2026, the Rev. Elizabeth “Libby” Berman was elected sixth bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of Hawai‘i (the Episcopal churches in the Hawaiian Islands, Guam and Saipan), by nearly 130 clergy and lay delegates. The Special Meeting of Convention was held in 'Iolani School's new state-of-the-art Arrillaga Student Center in Honolulu, Hawai‘i.

Folks began arriving as early as 7:00 a.m. on a picture perfect day! A small army of volunteers was ready and waiting at the check-in tables dressed in bright yellow shirts and smiles to match. Pre-convention communication stressed the importance of arriving on time, and people heeded the call! After checking in, early birds could enjoy a continental breakfast under the tent next to St. Alban's Chapel, and wait for the Convention Eucharist to begin at 8:00 a.m. (CLICK HERE FOR CHECK-IN AND FELLOWSHIP PHOTOS)

Following the service, folks made their way to the Tsai Dining Hall in the Student Center to find their seats and settle in. Joining the Right Rev. Robert L. Fitzpatrick ("Bishop Bob") on stage were the Rev. Annalise Pasalo, Secretary of Convention, the Rev. Jennifer Masada, Dispatch of Business Chair, and Ms. Martha Im, Chancellor Emerita.

The Rev. Paul Nahoa Lucas, co-chaplain of the Transitions Committee, led the opening prayer in both English and Hawaiian. He mentioned that the prayer being shared would be a part of the soon-to-be-approved Book of Common Prayer translated in Hawaiian.

Introductions followed along with acknowledgments and thanks to the various individuals and committees involved with the search and transition. But before the start of official business, Bishop Bob took a moment to recognize the Rev. Canon Sandy Graham who will be leaving the diocese soon. He received an emotional standing ovation for his faithful service to the Diocese of Hawai'i for the past ten years.

Elections Co-chair Jeanne Cooper, walked through the electronic voting process that involved holding a mock election. Staff and volunteers were on hand to assist those in need with their devices. Voting was separate for clergy and lay which involved two different voting urls (internet sites). It was not without challenges and delays, but eventually, the mock ballot was cast, and the results announced. Amongst a field of famous names, Cinderella garnered the most votes in both orders (clergy and lay), but she failed to get the majority in either one. Had it been an official vote, there would have been another ballot until a majority was reached in both orders on the same ballot.

Confident that everyone was finally ready to vote, the Bishop gave some last minute instructions and Dispatch of Business Chair Masada, went over the numbers required for an official election. The first ballot was cast, but unfortunately ended up being considered "spoiled" due to a technical issue. Adjustments were made, the second ballot was launched, and voting went smoothly.

After the second ballot closed, the Bishop, Chuck Spence, and the two candidates that were present, Arakawa and Berman, left the dining hall. They headed to separate rooms for prayer and where the results would be shared privately first. (Yanni would be contacted by phone.) Meanwhile, the Rev. Mark Haworth, the Rev. Canon Sandy Graham, and the Rev. Jennifer Masada provided prayer and music for all in the dining hall.

About 25 minutes later, the meeting was called back to order. The Bishop asked Convention Secretary Pasalo to announce the results of the second ballot. She directed everyone's attention to the screens on the walls, and in the same breath, said, "I am happy to share that we have an election! I invite the Convention to stand and greet the Reverend Elizabeth "Libby" Berman, Bishop-Elect!."

Cheers and applause erupted! Libby Berman had been elected with 34 votes in the clergy order (32 needed) and 56 votes in the lay order (51 needed).

Chuck Spence, President of the Standing Committee, escorted Berman to the front of the stage where the Bishop joined them. As the crowd settled down, the Bishop invited everyone to sing the doxology in four languages, beginning with Hawaiian, then English, Ilokano, and CHamoru. Joining the meeting's musicians were representatives to lead the doxology in the different languages. They were the Rev. Paul Nahoa Lucas (Hawaiian), the Rev. Imelda Padasdao (Ilokano) and the Rev. Canon Irene Maliaman and Maximo Ronquillo (CHamoru).

“Aloha to all in the islands and Håfa Adai Guam and Saipan,” greeted Berman following the doxology. She addressed the Convention with grace and humility, choosing to "talk story" and share a personal reflection. She spoke about her connection to the diocese that started at age ten during a visit with relatives in the islands. Through the years, her frequent trips to Hawai'i with family in tow would inevitably include visits to the Episcopal churches on the different islands. A yearning tugged at her heartstrings each time. In 2020, she was called to serve at the Church of the Holy Nativity in Honolulu where she has been their rector for the past six years. Berman shared that some of the very churches she visited during those trips were the ones where the Ke Aloha Kākou Meet and Greets were held. This was a journey that had come full-circle.

Berman thanked the committees involved in the search process and the diocesan staff. She graciously acknowledged her fellow candidates, the Rev. Tim Yanni and his wife Brandy (who "mentioned Jesus all the time!") and the Rev. Canon Andrew Arakawa and his wife Kim, dear friends and colleagues whom she embraced with deep aloha and a spirit of unity. Berman thanked Bishop Bob and his wife Bea for their decades of service to the Diocese and is looking forward to hearing about their plans going forward. The Bishop-Elect closed with a prayer by Kumu Wendell Silva, along with a rousing “IMUA, ONWARD!”

The meeting was adjourned after the signing of official documents including the Testimonial of Election and closed with the singing of Queen Liliu'okalani's "He Pule." It was an event that took over a year to coordinate and ended just in time for lunch!

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ELECTION ARTICLE.

Letter from the President of the Standing Commmittee: Reflections on the Election of the Sixth Bishop of Hawaiʻi

The Diocese of Hawaiʻi gathered for the Special Meeting of Convention on May 16, 2026, for the sole purpose of electing the Sixth Bishop of Hawaiʻi. We are grateful to share that the election proceeded smoothly, prayerfully, and with a deep sense of unity, reflecting the strength and faithfulness of our diocesan ʻohana.

With joy and thanksgiving, we offer our warmest congratulations to the Bishop-Elect, the Reverend Elizabeth “Libby” Berman. We hold her in prayer as she enters this next stage of discernment and preparation, and we give thanks for her willingness to offer herself in service to the Diocese of Hawaiʻi.

We extend our profound appreciation to the voting clergy and lay delegates, whose careful preparation and prayerful discernment shaped the day. We also give heartfelt thanks to the many individuals whose leadership and service helped the Convention unfold with clarity, grace, and a deep sense of shared purpose:

READ FULL LETTER HERE

The Convention Eucharist

In a letter prior to the Special Meeting of the Convention, the Bishop stressed the importance of the Convention Eucharist which is required by The Episcopal Church in Hawai'i's Constitution (Article VI):

"I think it very important for all voting clergy and delegates to gather at St. Alban’s Chapel of ʻIolani School, Honolulu, at 8:00 AM, on Saturday, May 16, 2026, to celebrate as a Convention the Holy Eucharist. All are welcome, but to spiritually prepare, it is imperative that those voting gather for prayer and Holy Communion before the meeting convenes."

The service, held in 'Iolani School's St. Alban's Chapel, was well attended, but kept low-key. There was no formal procession but the voices that echoed in song surely rivaled any top choir! The Bishop's sermon was kept short but with an important message for those about to determine the leadership and future of the diocese. The service ended about 40 minutes before the start of the meeting, giving folks ample time to grab some refreshments and prepare mind and heart.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MORE PHOTOS OF THE SERVICE

Insights: Getting to Know the Bishop-Elect

While women bishops in the Episcopal Church today are not uncommon, it is a historic time in the life of the Diocese of Hawai'i with the election of its first female bishop. When asked how it felt to be a part of this historic moment, Berman replied, "I am thankful to be able to say that, to me, it feels 'normal' when women are called to be bishops."

Indeed, Berman was ordained a priest in the Diocese of Massachusetts by the Rt. Rev. Barbara C. Harris, who was consecrated in 1989 as the very first woman bishop in the entire Anglican Communion.

"She was an incredibly significant role model for many of us," said Berman, "especially women leaders across the church. I hope we are moving to a place in our church where we always will choose the person whose gifts and skills are needed for a particular moment in time, rather than having any concern about gender."

Berman's election makes her the second female bishop connected to the Diocese. The Right Rev. Diana Akiyama, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Oregon, was the priest at St. Augustine's on Hawai'i Island before being called to her home state in January, 2021.

With only voting clergy and elected lay delegates allowed into the meeting (along with staff and volunteers), Libby's husband Mark joined about a dozen visitors and alternates in a second floor classroom nearby where they could watch the livestream.

Paul and Cindy Schumacher from St. John's on Maui, flew over just for this event, knowing that they would still have to view it through the livestream. Cindy, who has written articles for The Chronicle as well as local news outlets, didn't want to miss it!

"Watching the streaming of the election with old and new friends from other churches was an exciting and wonderful experience," said Schumacher. "Even more special, Paul and I got to watch it with Rev. Libby's husband Mark, who was later joined by one of their daughters." Cindy captured this glowing photo of Mark who had just learned about the election of his wife.

Libby and her husband have been "very happily married" for almost 35 years, and have two daughters, now in their 20s, Samantha and Emily.

"[Mark] is a computer scientist whose work has always included research," shared Berman, "we do very different kinds of work and have very different skills!"

Their eldest daughter Samantha, seems to be following in her dad's footsteps, teaching computer science and AI here on O'ahu. Youngest daughter Emily lives and works in London, far away on the other side of the globe. "Time with either or both of them is precious!" said Berman.

The day after the election, Bishop Bob and Bea headed to ‘Āina Haina to worship with the people of the Church of the Holy Nativity, and their rector, the new Bishop-Elect! With the future of the Diocese now a part of her reality, Berman has much to consider as she transitions from rector to bishop. With the help of her Associate Rector, the Rev. Jenn Latham, the flock there will be in good hands as her focus shifts to the entire diocesan 'ohana.

"The most important tasks for the immediate future are to talk story and get to know one another well," said Berman. "Then we will be ready, as a diocese, to choose our goals, making very specific plans for those things that we can and will accomplish. Strategic work is work that I love and which I predict we will be ready to engage together by the end of our first year."