This issue's header photo was taken at the Bishop's Farewell Tour hosted by St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church in Honolulu this past Saturday, August 8. Check out more photos under the Bishop's Corner below. The final stop of the tour takes place on August 22 at St. Christopher's in Kailua. (Photo: The Rev. Hannah Sung)

August 13, 2026

Season of Pentecost: Proper 15

Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life: Give us grace to receive thankfully the fruits of his redeeming work, and to follow daily in the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

IN THIS ISSUE:

FEATURE STORIES:

Diocese of Hawai'i Hosts Province VIII Youth Pilgrimage: Talk Story

(With special reflections from the Diocese of San Diego)

Reflection on Kuhinia 2026

By The Rev. Amy Crowe

Wholeness Is Our Central Mission in Lāhainā Wildfire Recovery

(A special article from Episcopal Relief & Development)

REGULAR FEATURED SECTIONS:

Bishop's Corner - Farewell Tour & Visitations; Tropical Storm Lala Approchaing Hawai'i: Take Precautions, Stay Safe!
Bishop Search & Transition - Coming up:The final stop of Bishop Bob's Farewell Tour
Growing in Grace - Forming Leaders for Cherished Belonging
Kahuaola: Creation Care Monthly Calls: Next is August 26
Island Happenings - O'AHU: Happy Birthday Jean; KAUA'I: St. John's Bakersfield at ECWK

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPCOMING:

Convention 58 - Special Evensong Added on October 18!
Annual Clergy Conference on Kaua'i - Registration still open
Camp Mokulē'ia - 2026 Summer Camp, Splash & Dash, Families Can Survive
Coming Up: At The Cathedral: Rummage Sale, Movies; See what's happening around the Diocese!

THE BISHOP'S CORNER

Bishop Bob's Farewell Tour: Together at St. Elizabeth's

Folks from around O'ahu, near and far, came together at St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church on Sunday, August 8, 2026, for Bishop Bob's Farewell gathering. There was a huge turnout that enjoyed an afternoon of food, fellowship, and lots of smiles! Bishop Bob and Bea are pictured above with some of the clergy in attendance, including St. Elizabeth's new priest, the Rev. Katie Nakamura Rengers with her family at far right. After the gathering, the beautiful lei they received were lovingly placed on the niches of old friends at the Cathedral's Memorial Garden. (Photos: The Rev. Keleawe Hee, The Rev. Hannah Sung, and St. Elizabeth's Facebook page)

TROPICAL STORM LALA APPROACHING HAWAI'I: TAKE PRECAUTIONS, STAY SAFE!

As of 5:00 PM Thursday, the National Hurricane Center shared: A hurricane warning is in effect for Hawai'i County. Lala is moving toward the west-northwest near 12 mph (19 km/h). A faster west-northwestward motion is expected during the next several days. Steady strengthening is forecast, and Lala is expected to become a

hurricane as it approaches the Big Island.

Be sure to stay informed with the Bishop's latest messages by clicking on the button shown. All video messages also appear on the Dioceseʻs YouTube Channel and Facebook page.

FEATURE STORIES

Diocese of Hawai'i Hosts Province VIII Youth Pilgrimage: Talk Story

For the first time, the Diocese of Hawai'i was the host of a Province VIII Youth Event (PYE) that took place on the combined grounds of the Cathedral of St. Andrew, St. Andrew’s Schools, St. Paul’s and St. Peter’s Episcopal Churches, better known as “The Square.” 157 high school youth and chaperones from 12 dioceses converged on O'ahu, July 28- 31, 2026, to explore the theme of “Talk Story” through two different lenses: the Kānaka ʻŌiwi (indigenous community) of Hawaiʻi, and the history of the waves of immigration to the Islands. READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

3rd Anniversary of the Maui Wildfires: Reflection on Kuhinia 2026

By the Rev. Amy Crowe

Saturday, August 8, 2026, three years to the day that changed a community forever, was a day of hot Lāhainā sun, slight breeze, talking story, and mele of local musicians. It was a time to pause, honor, and remember. It was also the newly formed Lāhainā Interfaith Council's first community Honor and Rememberance Service that included clergy from Waiola United Church of Christ, Lāhainā Hongwanji, Holy Innocents, Maria Lanakila Catholic Church, Lāhainā Jodo Mission, Lāhainā Methodist Church, and Lāhainā Shingon Mission. READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

Wholeness Is Our Central Mission in Lāhainā Wildfire Recovery

(A special article from Episcopal Relief & Development)

Three years after the Lāhainā wildfire, families are finally finding a place to call home. Through our work with the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaiʻi, we are supporting long-term housing stability and boosting mental health outcomes in the process. READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

(Pictured is Kalani Holokai, Community Relations Coordinator for the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai’i, standing at the site of Holy Innocents Episcopal Church, which was destroyed in the 2023 Lāhainā wildfire. Photo credit: Mengshin Lin)

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE DIOCESE

Visit the Diocese's Calendar page HERE for Diocesan events & activities.

Coming Up: The final stop of Bishop Bob's Farewell Tour

Bishop Bob's farewell tour wraps up on August 22, 2026, at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church in Kailua, O'ahu. Anyone in the diocese is welcome to attend, especially if you missed the other gatherings.

Be sure to RSVP HERE so that the host church will know how many to prepare for. Don't forget to bring a special photo of the Bishop to share in a scrapbook that wll be on site. For those who cannot attend, you may still leave a message for Bishop Bob and upload a photo through the RSVP link.

If you have any questions about the Farewell Tour, contact Rae Costa HERE. Stay informed. Visit the Search & Transition webpage HERE, where updates for all events will be posted and linked as they become available.

Convention 58: Special Evensong Added on October 18

Reminder: Make Flight Reservations NOW!

With this being Bishop Bob's final Convention as Bishop Diocesan, the schedule of Convention activities has ramped up. Although the Education Day lineup is shortened, the Convention Eucharist will now include the Bishop's Cross presentation. Immediately following the service will be a very special Ka Ha‘alele ‘Ana farewell reception for the Bishop in 'Iolani School's Tsai Dining Hall. Tickets will be required to enter the dining hall.

Also being added is a special Evensong at The Cathedral of St. Andrew on Sunday, October 18, at 5:30 PM, where the Bishop will be appointing honorary canons of the diocese that will also include international Anglican honorees. All are invited to attend Friday and Sunday's events. For those staying at the Ala Moana Hotel, the group room rate can be extended to include Saturday night. Stay tuned for more info! Registration will be opening shortly.

As a reminder, we are advising all neighbor island voting clergy and convention delegates to book your flights NOW, especially those planning to arrive on Saturday morning for the Annual Meeting. With the recent cutback in flights on Hawaiian Airlines, in most cases, there is only one flight that will get you to O'ahu in time before check-in closes at 8:30 AM. Remember, late arrivals could cause you to lose your ability to vote! For details and to stay informed, visit the Convention 58 webpage HERE, where convention updates are being posted as they become available.

It's not too late to register: Annual Clergy Conference

The theme for this year's Annual Clergy Conference is "Tradition, Transition, and Transfiguration: Living into a Time of Leadership Transition as a Communal and Spiritual Rite of Passage." The guest speaker will be the Rev. Rachel Taber-Hamilton. The conference takes place on the Garden Island of Kaua'i, August 24-26, 2026, at the Outrigger Kaua'i Beach Resort & Spa. Although the deadline to book discounted hotel rooms has passed, you may still book rooms through their regular reservation system HERE. For more information and to register, click on the buttons below.

SUMMER CAMP 2026

Making memories one week at a time here at Camp Mokulē'ia! We had a magical summer camp season filled with adventure, community, and worship. Mahalo nui loa to all of our camp staff, volunteers, and campers! We cherish every moment we spent together this summer.

COMING UP OCTOBER 11! Splash & Dash!

Get ready to make a splash and break a sweat at the Second Annual Splash & Dash — a high-energy 500-meter swim followed by a scenic 5K run, all for a great cause! Click HERE for more info and to register.

COMING UP NOVEMBER 6-8! Families Can Survive 2026

Families Can Survive weekend November 6-8th which is for families who have been affected by childhood cancer. Click HERE for more info.

Forming Leaders for Cherished Belonging

By The Rev. Cn. Andrew J. Arakawa, Canon for Ministry Formation

I just read and highly recommend Cherished Belonging: The Healing Power of Love in Divided Times by Fr. Gregory Boyle, S.J. In the book, Boyle invites us to imagine a community shaped not by separation and judgment, but by love and kinship. His nearly four decades of work at Homeboy Industries – the world’s largest gang rehabilitation and reentry organization – rest on two unwavering principles:

Everyone is unshakably good—no exceptions.

We belong to each other—no exceptions.

Boyle’s book invited me to wonder about what it means to form Christian leaders: lay and ordained who not only carry out the work of the Church, but also help create communities in which people know themselves to be seen, valued, and loved. READ MORE

Creation Care Monthly Calls: Next is August 26

Join these monthly calls to hear from The Episcopal Church’s public policy and witness and mission program teams, as well as voices from across the church, on issues related to care of creation. The calls occur monthly on the fourth Wednesday. The next Zoom webinar takes place on Wednesday, August 26, at 9:00 AM (HST). To register click HERE.

OPPORTUNITIES

ORDAINED POSITION OPENINGS:

(Visit the Diocesan website HERE for more information.)

Part-time Vicar - Grace Episcopal Church, Ho'olehua, Moloka'i

LAY POSITION OPENINGS:

(Visit the Diocesan website HERE for more information.)

BISHOP BOB'S FAREWELL TOUR: Final stop on August 22, St. Christopher's, Kailua, O'ahu
DIOCESAN CLERGY CONFERENCE: August 24-26, 2026 - Lihue, Kaua'i
CONVENTION 58: October 16 & 17, 2026 - 'Iolani School, Honolulu, O'ahu (Education Day, Convention Eucharist, Ka Ha'alele 'Ana farewell reception for Bishop Bob & Annual Meeting)
CONVENTION 58 EVENSONG: Sunday, October 18, 2026, 5:30 PM - The Cathedral of St. Andrew, Honolulu, O'ahu
CONSECRATION & ORDINATION OF THE SIXTH BISHOP OF HAWAI'I: November 14, 2026, The Cathedral of St. Andrew, Honolulu, O'ahu, with Ke Kipa ‘Ana Welcome Reception to follow

ISLAND HAPPENINGS

Visit the Diocese's Community Calendar page HERE for ongoing activities in your neighborhood.

AT THE CATHEDRAL...

Summer Sundays run through August!

The Cathedral Summer Schedule will run through the month of August. There are only TWO services: 7:00 AM English, spoken & 9:00 AM 'Ōlelo Hawai'i & English, with music

ANNUAL RUMMAGE SALE COMING UP SEPTEMBER 5!

The Cathedral's annual rummage sale will run from 8:00 AM-1:00 PM on Saturday, September 5. We are currently accepting donations of clean, gently used items to help support our Cathedral’s ministries and outreach programs.

SUNDAY AT THE MOVIES AT THE CATHEDRAL, SEPTEMBER 27

The Series continues in the Von Holt room at 12:00 PM, where we will watch Sacred Alaska,

a documentary set in a remote fishing village whose indigenous people belong to the Russian Orthodox Church. The director will join us on

Zoom for our discussion.

The Cathedral of St. Andrew: 229 Queen Emma Square, Honolulu, HI 96813

www.cathedralhawaii.org

O'AHU - Happy Birthday Jean!

Yesterday we celebrated dear Jean Smith's 104th birthday at St. Tim's with cake, fellowship, and lots of joy! (From St. Timothy's Facebook page)

KAUA'I - St. John's Bakersfield at ECWK

St. John's in Bakersfield spent a week with the Episcopal Church on West Kaua'i for their mission trip. Here they are pictured working on their tomato farm which is now ready for planting! (From the ECWK Facebook page)

COMING UP!

Reminder: The Hawaiian Church Chronicle goes out on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month. For inclusion in this "COMING UP!" section, churches should submit event graphics to Diocesan Communications HERE by the Monday before release date.

THIS SATURDAY, AUGUST 15

St. Clement's, 1515 Wilder Ave., Honolulu, O'ahu

SATURDAY, AUGUST 29

St. Clement's, 1515 Wilder Ave., Honolulu, O'ahu

AUGUST 30 & SEPTEMBER 6

St. Timothy's, 98-939 Moanalua Rd., Aiea, O'ahu

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

St. Clement's, 1515 Wilder Ave., Honolulu, O'ahu

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

St. John's Kula, 8992 Kula Highway, Kula, Maui

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

Trinity By-the-Sea, 100 Kulanihakoi St., Kihei, Maui

SAVE THE DATE!

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3

St. Augustine's, 54-3801 Akoni Pule Hwy, Kapaau, Hawai'i Island

OCTOBER 9 & 10

St. Clement's, 1515 Wilder Ave., Honolulu, O'ahu

The Episcopal Church & Beyond...

Anglican primates of the Americas meet in Brazil, pledge to work together on global issues

(8/13/26) Top church leaders from seven Anglican provinces in North America and South America, including The Episcopal Church, have released a joint statement after concluding a three-day meeting this week in São Paulo, Brazil, seeking common ground on their faith-based responses to a range of global issues. READ MORE (Photo: Episcopal Anglican Church of Brazil)

Reminders (Previously Announced)

Plan to attend Province VIII's Creation Care Network Conference, taking place September 25-27, 2026, at the Episcopal Retreat and Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Rev. Jazzy Bostock from St. John the Baptist in Waianae is a guest speaker! Register before July 15 for early bird discount! For more information and details, visit the event webpage HERE.

Ho'imi Pono Training for your Congregation! Ready to schedule Anti-Racism training for your church leadership, clergy, vestry, and Bishop's Committee? Contact Mary Carpenter HERE or call 808-221-4367

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 Nani Carroll.