July 10, 2025

Pictured in this issue's header is Canon Sandy Graham (tallest in the center) and a delegation from St. Paul’s, Honolulu, who just got back from a whirlwind trip to the Philippines. Not only does The Episcopal Church have a full Concordat relationship with the Philippine Independent Church (IFI), but there is also a tripartite connection between the Diocese of Hawai‘i, the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Luzon (Bishop Hilary A. Pasikan Jr. is wearing the blue shirt) and the IFI Diocese of Batac (Bishop Emelyn Dacuycuy is in the clerical shirt). Wearing Philippine-style lei are St. Paul's folks, Rodel Dureg, Father Randy Albano, Julie Dureg and Solah Palaroan. Look for a special write-up in a future issue. (Contributed photo)

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 10

O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your people who call upon you, and grant that they may know and understand what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

THE BISHOP'S CORNER

FLASH FLOODS IN TEXAS HILL COUNTRY - PLEASE HELP BY DONATING TO ERD NOW

Dozens are dead and dozens remain missing following the recent flash flooding in Texas Hill Country. Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD) is working with the Diocese of West Texas to provide support in the coming days and weeks. Many in Kerrville, in their diocese and across Texas have personal connections to the missing campers and staff members impacted by this devastating crisis. As the scope of the disaster continues to unfold, we need your help. Please make an urgent tax-deductible donation to Episcopal Relief & Development today by clicking HERE or on the donate button..

DONATE TO ERD

When Maui was devastated by the brush fires of 2023, ERD immediately made its presence known and has continued its support to this day. Not only are they providing ongoing funding, but they make sure to check on the recovery progress in person. Read their latest article update HERE.

The Bishop conducted Visitations at Christ Memorial Episcopal Church in Kīlauea, Kaua'i (pictured above left with Branch and Melody Lotspeich, the Rev. Catherine Amy Kropp and Craig Wall), and at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Mōʻiliʻili, O'ahu (pictured above right with the Rev. Charles Browning II and the Rev. Frank Condello II). (Contributed photos)

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

Trinity's 50th Anniversary Celebration

Trinity Episcopal Church By-the-Sea in Kihei, Maui was admitted to the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai’i as a mission church at the Diocesan Convention held in 1975. Trinity’s origins had actually begun several years prior with a small group of dedicated Episcopal worshipers who gathered at local schools, parks, and beaches in Kīhei while they worked tirelessly to unearth the ruins of David Malo's 1850s Kilolani Church from an overgrown kiawe forest and restore it to a usable worship space.

In 2000, at the 25-year celebration, the congregation of Trinity buried a time capsule and placed a plaque over it that stated it was to be opened on Trinity Sunday in 2025. Hence the call for a 50-year anniversary celebration!

READ TRINITY'S SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY ISSUE HERE

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE DIOCESE

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

E Kama‘ilio Kākou (Heart-to-Heart) with the Search Committee

The Bishop Search Committee wants to hear YOUR vision for the next Bishop of the Diocese of Hawai‘i.

E Kama‘ilio Kākou (Heart-to-Heart) is an opportunity to share what characteristics, skills, and priorities you’d like to see embodied in our next Bishop. The current schedule for upcoming events is as follows:

Saturday, July 19 at 10AM – Calvary Episcopal Church (O‘ahu)*
Saturday, July 26 at 10AM – St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church (O‘ahu)*
Saturday, August 2 at 10AM – The Episcopal Parish of St. Clement (O‘ahu)*
Sunday, August 3 after 9AM service – The Parish of Good Shepherd (Maui)
Sunday, September 14 after 9AM service – Trinity By-the-Sea (Maui])

*These O‘ahu events will be hybrid, so you may attend in-person or click HERE to register to join us via Zoom.

All are welcome to attend, regardless of where you are located. The Search Committee will announce additional opportunities to contribute in the future, but you can also share your thoughts or questions with the Search Committee using the Committee Contact Form.

For more information about the search process, please visit the Diocesan website’s Bishop Transition page HERE or by scanning the QR code above. A revised timeline and calendar of events will be posted there soon, so stay tuned!

Please note that the Search Committee’s “E Kama‘ilio Kākou” sessions are dedicated to the Bishop Search and Transition process, whereas the Standing Committee's "Talk Story" events are open to any and all topics in the Diocese.

Clergy Transitions...

Trinity By-the-Sea: Mahalo & Aloha, Fr. Hau'oli & Mother Amy Crowe

During Trinity By-the Sea's 50th Anniversary celebration in June, the announcement was made that the Rev. Amy Crowe would be their new Vicar when the Rev. John Hau'oli Tomoso retires at the end of August.

Fr. Hau'oli was part of the first graduating class of the Waiolaihui'ia (WCM) program back in 2015. At that time, all four graduates were of native Hawaiian ancestry, and all were ordained to the priesthood in 2016. Fr. Hau'oli started with Trinity on September 1, 2022, making it exactly three years when he ends his service on August 31. Maui clergy are a close-knit group, and like Mother Amy, they are familiar faces in the churches around the island, having served in some capacity or another at all of them!

Mother Amy, who is currently working as the Maui Recovery Disaster Spiritual Care Program Coordinator, served at Holy Innocents for many years, was a Chaplain at a Maui hospital during COVID, and supplied at Trinity during Fr. Hau'oli's recent illness. They are both deeply entrenched in the Maui community that they so lovingly serve and will likely continue to do so for years to come!

The Rev. Deacon Hannah Lee Sung to be Chaplain Curate at ‘Iolani School

‘Iolani School, Honolulu, has announced that with the new school year, the Rev. Deacon Hannah Lee Sung will join the Chapel team as the Chaplain Curate. She is currently the Chaplain at St. John’s School, Guam. She earned her Master of Arts in Religion - Ethics from Yale University and earned a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Classical Music and Religious Studies from Fairfield University. After completing Anglican studies at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific, she was ordained to the transitional diaconate in March at St. Mark’s Church, Honolulu. Hannah, her spouse (Yongoon Sung) and daughter (Lauren Ye-Bin Sung) will be moving to ‘Oahu later this summer.

Coming Up July 18 & 19: Talk Story Sessions with the Standing Committee on Hawai'i Island

Earlier in 2025, the Diocese's Standing Committee held in-person Talk Story sessions (formerly called "Listening Sessions") with clergy and church members on Kaua'i and O'ahu. The next Talk Story sessions will be held on Hawai’i Island on Friday, July 18, in Hilo, and on Saturday, July 19, in Waimea. All clergy and church members are invited to attend the Standing Committee's Talk Story sessions that will be held on all islands. These ongoing gatherings are to hear your comments and concerns or to answer any questions that members might have about the search and transition for the new bishop, the Diocese, the state of the Church, or any other issue related to our common life and ministries with each other. Both sessions on Hawai'i Island will be in-person and also available by livestream. For those who are participating virtually, please use the following number to text any questions or comments during the Talk Story sessions, (808) 767-1680. Details for the Hawai'i Island sessions are as follows:

FRIDAY, JULY 18 (EAST SIDE): 2:00-3:30 PM, Holy Apostles, 1407 Kapi'olani St., Hilo, Livestream: www.echa-hilo.org (FaceBook livestream link on church homepage)
SATURDAY, JULY 19 (WEST SIDE): 9:30-11:00 AM, St. James', 65-1237 Kawaihae Rd., Kamuela, Livestream: www.stjameshawaii.org (FaceBook and YouTube livestream links on church website)

For more information and to view a previously recorded session held on O'ahu, visit the Standing Committee's webpage HERE.

Please note: The Talk Story sessions with the Standing Committee are unrelated to the Bishop Search Committee's E Kama‘ilio Kākou (Heart-to-Heart) sessions that are focused on the search and transition for a new Bishop. Talk Story encompasses ALL topics and concerns clergy and members may have.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR CONVENTION 57!

Registration for Education Day, Opening Eucharist, Aloha Reception, and/or Annual Meeting is now OPEN! You will use the same form for any of the four events being offered. The cost for each of the events are as follows*:

Education Day participation (service activity and/or climate game) is $40 which includes continental breakfast at ‘Iolani and lunch at all service locations.
The Opening Eucharist is free!
The Aloha Reception is partially subsidized, so the cost for a Hawaiian Lū‘au buffet is only $20.
The Annual Meeting for all attendees (visitors included) is $70.

All are invited to attend this very special Education Day! We ask that folks register individually as there are A LOT of questions because (1) you will need to let us know which event(s) you are registering for, (2) our Huli team is offering exciting service activities from which to choose, and (3) ‘Iolani’s cafeteria has given us our lunch options early, so we are asking each attendee to select their lunch choice for Friday and/or Saturday. Childcare is also being offered this year. Visit the Education Day webpage HERE for more information about the service activities including the total number of participants the location will allow. Register early to be sure you get your preferred site! Some of the locations may be difficult for some to get around, so if you are mobility challenged and would like more information before deciding, contact a member of the Huli team HERE.

*Note: Online registration for all events will close on Friday, October 10, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. After that date, registration will increase substantially, payable at the door only. Increased rates will be: Education Day participation - $60, Aloha Reception - $40, Annual Meeting - $100.

FOR MORE INFORMATION & TO REGISTER, CLICK ON THE BUTTONS BELOW:

Reminder: Clergy Conference limited lodging available--

Book by Friday, July 11, to guarantee your room!

All clergy in the Diocese are invited to attend the annual Clergy Conference being held August 25-27, 2025, at the Grand Naniloa Hotel in Hilo, on the Big Island. We are delighted to have as our guest speaker, the Rev. Canon C. K. Robertson, Ph.D., who has served for many years as Canon to the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, as well as Distinguished Visiting Professor at General Theological Seminary. Special hotel group room rates have been secured. Visit the event webpage HERE for more information and to register.

Diocesan ʻŌlelo Hawai'i Classes Return August 5! Sign Up Now!

Free ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi classes are starting up again beginning on Tuesday, August 5! Classes are led by Kumu Kū Souza, known by many in the Diocese as a Kumu at ‘Iolani school, and member of the popular trio Walea (see HERE). The classes are held on Tuesdays, and will run through the school year. There is a beginner's class (at 5:00 PM) and a continuing class for those returning (at 6:00 PM). Classes are offered online through Zoom. For more information, or to sign up, please contact Canon Sandy Graham HERE.

Project Resource for Parishes - Fall 2025

Project Resource equips stewardship teams with strategic training and flexible resources to design and execute annual stewardship campaigns which can be replicated and adapted in future years. Project Resource is dedicated to fostering cultural and systemic advancements around stewardship as a ministry in the Episcopal Church. For more information and to register click HERE.

5 Consecutive Sundays: September 7 through October 5, Online via Zoom (11:00 am-1:00 pm HST)

Deep Gladness, Deep Hunger: Discovering Your Call Through Theological Reflection By The Rev. Canon Andrew Arakawa

“The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” – Frederick Buechner

We just finished an Insight Space cohort on June 28th. The group met one Saturday a month for four months as part of a discernment process toward lay or ordained leadership formation in our diocese. One of the aims of the gatherings is for participants (usually 6-9 discerners) to develop a habit of theological reflection - the process by which we reflect on our life experiences in light of our faith and theological tradition. Its purpose is to connect our everyday events and challenges with the wisdom found in Scripture, tradition, and reason, as we seek a deeper understanding of how God is working in and through our lives and moving us toward our vocations. READ MORE

The Huli team's final two speakers in the online summer series are coming up! Unlike the first session, these two will NOT be recorded, so be sure to participate live online! Visit the HULI webpage HERE for more info, and click HERE to register now!

July 26 - The Rev. Rachel Taber-Hamilton, a Shackan First Nation person and an Episcopal priest. She has served in the Diocese of Olympia for 23 years and served as vice president of the House of Deputies 2022-2024.
August 2 - "What Does the Earth Ask of Us?" with Robin Wall Kimmerer, a botanist and member of the Potawatomi Nation. She is author of Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants.

OPPORTUNITIES

ORDAINED POSITION OPENINGS:

(Visit the Diocesan website HERE for more information.)

Part-time Vicar - Grace Episcopal Church, Ho'oleha, Moloka'i
Full-time Priest-in-Charge/Rector - St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church, Honolulu, O'ahu
Full-time Canon Vicar - St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Honolulu, O'ahu

LAY POSITION OPENINGS:

(Visit the Diocesan website HERE for more information.)

Part-time Assistant Parish Administrator - St. Elizabeth's, Honolulu, O'ahu
Full-time Office Administrator - Christ Memorial Episcopal Church, Kilauea, Kaua'i

TALK STORY WITH THE STANDING COMMITTEE - July 18-BIG ISLAND (EAST) Holy Apostles, Hilo; July 19-BIG ISLAND (WEST) St. James', Kamuela
E Kama‘ilio Kākou (HEART-TO-HEART) WITH THE SEARCH COMMITTEE - July 19 (Calvary, O'ahu), July 26 (St. Timothy's, O'ahu)
HULI SUMMER SPEAKER SERIES (Virtual) - July 26, with Rev. Rachel Taber-Hamilton, August 2, with Robin Wall Kimmerer
E Kama‘ilio Kākou (HEART-TO-HEART) WITH THE SEARCH COMMITTEE - August 2 (St. Clement's, O'ahu), August 3 (Good Shepherd, Maui)
CLERGY CONFERENCE: August 25-27, Grand Naniloa, Hilo HI - Register now!
E Kama‘ilio Kākou (HEART-TO-HEART) WITH THE SEARCH COMMITTEE - September 14 (Trinity By-the-Sea, Maui)
TALK STORY WITH THE STANDING COMMITTEE - September 20-MAUI, Trinity BTS, Kihei
CONVENTION 57 (Education Day & Annual Meeting): October 24-25 - Register now!

ISLAND HAPPENINGS

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

AT THE CATHEDRAL...

Summer Sundays have begun and will run through August!

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

www.cathedralhawaii.org

O'AHU: Four New "Daughters" Installed at St. Timothy's

On Sunday we installed four new members of the Kaikamahine-Aloha Chapter of the Daughters of the King at St. Timothy's Church:

Teruko Greene, Valerie Krutsinger, Grace Medeiros, and Liz Napier, and Jean Smith were received into our Chapter.

The DOK is an Order for women whose mission is the extension of Christ's Kingdom through prayer, service, and evangelism. New members received their DOK crosses, and all members rededicated themselves to their vows of prayer and service. Congratulations to them all! (Story & photos from the St. Timothy weekly e-news)

Click HERE to learn more about DOK on the Diocese's website.

IN THE NEWS...

John Decker Honored on Maui

For nearly 40 years, James Worley (left) and our overy own John Decker (far right) have helped people facing homelessness find housing on Maui through their volunteer work as board members for the nonprofit Ka Hale A Ke Ola Resource Center. The two were honored Thursday for their longtime contribution to the community. You can read the full article that appeared in the Maui News on July 8, HERE.

St. James' Teen Tech Featured in ENS

St. James' on the Big Island has been running a wonderful program called Teen Tech for over a decade, and has been featured in the Chronicle several times over the years. It finally made an appearance in The Episcopal News Service (ENS) on July 1, 2025. Read about this great program that empowers youth to share their knowledge of tech with our kūpuna HERE.

COMING UP...

THIS SATURDAY, JULY 12, 2025

Emmanuel, 780 Keolu Drive, Kailua, O'ahu

THIS SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2025

St. Augustine's, 54-3801 Akoni Pule Hwy, Kapa'au, HI

JULY 20, 2025

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

JULY 25, 2025

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

AUGUST 23, 2025

St. Michael & All Angels, 4364 Hardy St., Lihue, Kaua'i

Does your church have an upcoming event you'd like posted? Send your graphics to Communications HERE.

THROUGH AUGUST 25

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

SEPTEMBER 26-28, 2025

Province VIII ECW Retreat

Fort Hall, Idaho - Click HERE for more info

OCTOBER 17, 2025

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

MISC. COMMUNITY EVENTS...

JULY 16, 2025

First Unitarian Church, 2500 Pali Hwy., Honolulu, O'ahu

JULY 26-SEPTEMBER 7, 2025

Wikivision, 1401 S. Beretania St., #560m Honolulu, O'ahu

The Episcopal Church & Beyond...

Episcopalians among dozens dead in Texas floods as church leaders call for prayers, donations

[Juuly 7, 2025] Episcopal leaders are calling for prayers and donations to assist relief efforts in central Texas after flooding there killed more than 80 people. Most of the victims were in Kerr County, including 27 children and adults at Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp. Several Episcopalians have been identified among the flood victims. READ MORE

Photo: Associated Press

Reminders (Previously Announced)

ASIAN AMERICAN & PACIFIC ISLANDER YOUNG ADULTS LEADERSHIP RETREAT - The Episcopal Asiamerica Ministry (EAM) Young Adult Convocation invites Episcopalians of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) descent, ages 20 to 32, to a leadership retreat at Camp Mokulē'ia on the island of Oahu, September 11-14, 2025. The retreat is limited to 30 participants, so early registration is encouraged. The registration fee of $125 helps cover lodging, ground transportation, and meals.Click HERE for details and to register.

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.