This issue's header photo was taken during the annual Clergy Conference on Kaua'i which ended yesterday, August 26. Forty clergy attended this annual gathering which is Bishop Bob's final as Bishop Diocesan. The guest speaker was the Rev. Rachel Taber-Hamilton, pictured standing second from left. Look for full coverage of this event in the next issue. (Photo: S. Nishioka)

August 27, 2026

Season of Pentecost: Proper 17

Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

IN THIS ISSUE:

FEATURE STORY:

Weathering the Storms

REGULAR FEATURED SECTIONS:

Bishop's Corner - Visitations, Farewell Tour Wraps Up, and the Tongan Connection
Bishop Search & Transition - Coming up in October and November
Growing in Grace - (A monthly feature)
Kahuaola: Season of Creation Opening Prayer on September 1

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPCOMING:

Convention 58 - REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! Nominations and resolutions deadline
This Saturday! Ordination of Catherine McPherson-Tampos
Holy Apostles Welcomes the Rev. Caleb Collins
Coming Up! Emergency Preparedness Webinar
Episcopal Church Invites Applicants for Creation Care Grants
Coming Up: Storymakers Live Webinar
Join the Thursdays in Black Campaign
Coming Up: At The Cathedral: Rummage Sale, Movies; See what's happening around the Diocese!

THE BISHOP'S CORNER

Visitation, Farewell Tour Wraps up, & the Tongan Connection

The Bishop's schedule has been filled with lots of travel and spending time with his flock! Pictured above, he made Visitations to the Cathedral of St. Andrew on Sunday, August 9, and at St. Mary's on the 23rd. Below, his Farewell Tour wrapped up on Saturday, August 22, where folks came together at St. Christopher's in Kailua. A special Edelweiss Grace was customized for the Bishop and Bea, and sung to the tune of Edelweiss. (Contributed photos)

In between his visits in Hawai'i, the Bishop headed to Tonga for their 67th General Synod/Te Hinota Whanui of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand, and Polynesia. In a post on social media the Bishop shared, "I was invited by the Most Reverend Sione Ulu’ilakepa, Archbishop of Polynesia, to be a guest observer of the proceedings. It is a gift to be with our sibling Anglicans and, especially, to be in the Kingdom of Tonga."

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 STORY

Weathering the Storms

For the most part, Hawai'i has dodged many a bullet as storm systems and hurricanes churn through the Pacific year after year, with the last direct hit over 30 years ago on Kaua'i. This year's storm systems have been unyielding, fueled by a strong El Niño phase. According to the National Hurricane Center, El Niño has become so dominant that it is overriding other natural cyclic dampeners, resulting in "a relentless environment for storm generation." It is also being compounded by record-high ocean temperatures due in part to long-term global warming, creating nearly non-stop convection.

Across the diocese, the Kona lows in March brought widespread flooding, causing extensive damage to Camp Mokulē'ia (pictured above left), and several churches. In April and May, back-to-back Super Typhoons Sinlaku and Bavi devastated Guam and Saipan where families of St. John the Divine and St. Paul's suffered heavy damage (pictured above right). This month, Hurricane Lala battered the Hawaiian Islands narrowly avoiding a direct hit, but still causing major wind damage and flooding.

Time and again, folks came together to regroup and rebuild. Time and again, church members throughout the diocese showed up to help those affected, providing manpower, meals, and financial support. While we have no control over Mother Nature, our diocesan 'ohana continues to weather the storms with resilience, grace, and big hearts to help their communities recover from a crisis.

Pictured above, the tables were turned when St. John's in Kula was the one receiving help from the community after a Hawaii New Now report aired, featuring their church. Malama Kula and volunteers turned out to help them chop and remove downed trees and debris. In the center photo, the Rev. George Wong loads a large branch. The next two photos were taken at St. Augustine's in Kapa'au, where their food pantry program became a hub for community relief following Lala. Bags of ice and food were distributed and 500 meals prepared daily, with volunteers and produce from various organizations, including St. James' Congregations. (Photos: Contributed and social media posts)

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE DIOCESE

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

Coming Up: Convention 58 & the Consecration & Ordination of the Sixth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i

God willing, in less than three months, the Diocese will have a new Bishop, consecrated and ordained on Saturday, November 14! Leading up to that date will be the Diocese's annual Convention in October, that will be a weekend of special events and activities, including the 58th Annual Meeting of Convention. Alongside Bishop Bob will be Bishop-elect Libby Berman, who will be transitioning into her role; hence, the theme of Convention 58, "Transitions." During Convention 58, there will be Bishop Bob's farewell reception, Ka Ha'alele 'Ana, as we say aloha and mahalo to Bishop and Bea for their decades of service and commitment to the Diocese. There will be a presentation of his final slate of Bishop's Cross recipients during the Convention's Opening Eucharist, and a special Evensong at The Cathedral of St. Andrew, in honor of the class of 2026 honorary canons. All are invited to attend any of the events. Plan to be a part of these historic gatherings!

Convention 58: All are invited to attend!

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

ALL IN THE DIOCESE are welcome to attend any and all of the Convention 58 events that run from Friday, October 16 through Sunday evening, October 18. Events include our annual Education Day, the Convention Opening Eucharist, the Ka Ha'alele 'Ana farewell reception for Bishop Bob on Friday, and the Annual Meeting of Convention on Saturday, taking place on the 'Iolani School campus. Closing out the weekend is a special Convention Evensong at The Cathedral of St. Andrew on Sunday for the class of 2026 honorary canons. For details and to stay informed, click on the buttons below for more information, where convention updates are being posted as they become available..

NOMINATIONS AND RESOLUTIONS DEADLINE COMING UP! Nominations for the Diocese's governance committees and resolutions for consideration during the Annual Meeting must be submitted online by 11:59 PM on Wednesday, September 2, 2026. Any resolutions after the 45-day deadline must follow the Rules of Order adopted at the 57th Annual Meeting of Convention. For more information on how to write and submit a resolution, including a step-by-step instruction video by Bishop Bob, visit the Convention 58 webpage HERE.

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. 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!

This Saturday! Ordination of Catherine McPherson-Tampos

All are welcome to attend the ordination of Catherine McPherson-Tampos to the Priesthood:

By the grace of God and

With the People's Consent

The Right Reverend Robert L. Fitzpatrick

Bishop of Hawai'i

Will Ordain

Catherine McPherson-Tampos

To the Sacred Order of Priests

Saturday, the twenty-ninth of August

Two thousand and twenty-six

At ten o'clock in the morning

St. Columba's Episcopal Church

43-1425 Hauola Road

Pa‘auilo, Hawai'i

Clergy are welcome to vest

with red stoles.

Reception to follow

Holy Apostles Welcomes the Rev. Caleb Collins

Church of the Holy Apostles in Hilo has called the Rev. Caleb Collins as their new priest-in-charge, effective October 11, 2026. Collins hails from Mesa, Arizona where is currently the Rector at the Episcopal Church of Transfiguration. He earned his Master's of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary, and obtained a Master's of Arts in Sociology and a Master's in Liberal Studies from Arizona State University. He has also lived in Germany and studied abroad in Spain and Romania.

Collins has a passion for chaplaincy and is a Board Certified Professional Clinical Chaplain (BCC). During some of his time off, he works as a part-time chaplain at the Phoenix Children's Hospital.

Aloha and welcome to Hawai'i Father Caleb!

Coming Up! Emergency Preparedness Webinar

A special Emergency Preparedness webinar will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2026, from 10:00 - 11:00 AM (Guam: Sunday, September 6 at 6:00 AM). All clergy, vestries, Bishop's Committees, and members of Diocesan Council and Commission on Property are invited to take part.

Speakers will be Bishop Bob Fitzpatrick, Race Hodges (Episcopal Relief & Development), Kalani Holokai (Community Relations Coordinator, DSC), Rae Costa (Operations Manager, DSC), the Rev. Irene Maliaman (St. John the Divine/St. Paul's, Guam)

Timing might be everything, and now is the time. Are you and your family prepared for the next storm or hazardous incident? Have you checked and replenished your emergency supplies since Tropical Storm Lala? Do you know where to look for help and/or information? What resources and information does the diocese provide? What is your role? What do our shared experiences tell us about our own preparedness and our kuleana to our people and our church properties?

The link to register was sent in an email on August 23, to those listed above. If you did not receive the email or have questions, please email Kalani HERE.

Episcopal Church Invites Applicants for Creation Care Grants, with New Emphasis on Eco-regions

The Episcopal Church is relaunching its creation care grant program, now with an emphasis on supporting local ministries connected to the church’s expanding eco-region framework.

The church will accept proposals from now until October 26 for grants of up to $15,000 to fund projects involved with “nature restoration, regenerative agriculture, climate advocacy, and environmental justice,” according to an August 18 church news release announcing the latest round of grants.

For more information and to apply, visit the Episcopal Church's Creation Care webpage HERE.

Coming Up! StoryMakers Live Webinar

For several years, the diocese has been subsidizing the StoryMakers program, formation for children and youth. Coming up, join the StoryMakers' Team on Wednesday, September 2, at 7:00 AM (HST) for a free training! This training is perfect for both new and current subscribers. StoryMakers can help you kick off the school year with ease. We will explore ways to spark faith through the imagination with art, social-emotional connection, and story. SAVE YOUR SPOT HERE!

Join the Thursdays in Black Campaign

In every country, gender-based violence is a tragic reality. This violence is frequently hidden, and victims are often silent, fearing stigma and further violence.We all have a responsibility to speak out against violence, to ensure that women and men, boys and girls, are safe from rape and violence in homes, schools, work, streets – in all places in our societies.

The campaign is simple but profound. Wear black on Thursdays. Wear a pin to declare you are part of the global movement resisting attitudes and practices that permit rape and violence. Show your respect for women who are resilient in the face of injustice and violence. Encourage others to join you. For more information about the Thursdays in Black campaign, click HERE.

Growing in Grace is a regular monthly feature by the Rev. Canon Andrew Arakawa, Dean of the Diocese's formation program, Waiolahui'ia Center for Ministry (WCM), with guest contributors. Canon Andrew shares sage advice, reading recommendations, and reflections to help folks on their spiritual journey. New GIG articles appear in the Chronicle's first issue of each month. To read previous articles, go to the GIG page on the diocesan website HERE.

Season of Creation Opening Prayer on September 1

From September 1, Anglican churches will be involved in the ecumenical Season of Creation (also called Creationtide) – a time of prayer and action for the environment that runs through to October 4, the Feast of St Francis of Assisi. The theme is "Living Water."

Although it might be a bit early for folks in Hawai'i, you can begin the 2026 Season of Creation by joining a global Day of Creation Prayer Celebration on Tuesday, September 1, at 3:00 AM Hawai'i time. Together, people from around the world will unite in prayer, hope, and a shared commitment to care for our common home. For more information about this year's Season of Creation click HERE, and to join in on the opening prayer, 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.)

ORDINATION OF CATHERINE MCPHERSON-TAMPOS: August 29, St. Columba's, Pa‘auilo
CONVENTION 58: October 16 -18, 2026 - 'Iolani School, Honolulu, O'ahu (Education Day, Convention Eucharist, Ka Ha'alele 'Ana farewell reception for Bishop Bob, Annual Meeting, and special Convention Evensong at The Cathedral on Sunday)
VETERAN'S DAY EVENSONG: November 11 - 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...

FINAL SUMMER SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES!

The Cathedral's Summer Schedule comes to an end this Sunday, August 30. There are only TWO services:

7:00 AM English, spoken &

9:00 AM 'Ōlelo Hawai'i & English, with music

ANNUAL RUMMAGE SALE

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

Our Series continues on September 27, at noon in the Von Holt room, where we will watch Sacred Alaska, 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

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 29

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

AUGUST 30 & SEPTEMBER 6

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

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

Emmanuel, 780 Keolu Drive, Kailua, 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...

Dioceses nationwide ‘take Episcopalians out to the ballgame’

(8/27/26) For many Episcopalians, baseball is a beloved summer tradition best enjoyed with both loved ones and fellow churchgoers. It’s so popular that several dioceses with cities that have Major League and Minor League Baseball teams host annual group outings to games. READ MORE (Photo: Diocese of Southwest Florida)

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.