August 14, 2025

This issue's header photo was taken this past Sunday on Maui, where folks from Holy Innocents share a "Maui Strong" shaka in remembrance of the second anniversary of the wildfires and loss of their church building in Lahaina. They have been temporarily worshiping at the Honolua United Methodist Church in Napili for nearly two years rent free! Read more about the second anniversary on Maui in the Feature Stories section further below. (Photo: S. Nishioka)

Tenth Sunday after 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.

THE BISHOP'S CORNER

The Bishop and Bea are currently on a well-deserved vacation in Germany where their eldest son James is stationed. Looks like they are having a great time with the grandchildren! (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 STORIES

MAUI: Hope, Healing & Mixed Emotions on the Second Anniversary of the Wildfires

Friday, August 8, 2025, marked the second anniversary of the deadly wildfires that ravaged Maui, decimating the town of Lahaina, and wreaking havoc in Kula and Kīhei. Like last year's one-year anniversary, special remembrance events were planned this year including another morning paddleout at Hanaka‘ō‘ō Beach Park, a noon gathering at the County building in Wailuku, and a Memorial Tribute at the Lahaina Civic Center in the evening. READ FULL ARTICLE

Special feature article from our Growing in Grace Column by the Rev. Canon Andrew Arakawa

Sharing for the Sake of the Gospel: Reflections from the 2025 UnConference

By The Rev. Canon Andrew Arakawa

Over the last few days, from August 11 to 13, I had the privilege of joining over sixty leaders from across The Episcopal Church and beyond at the 2025 UnConference at Camp Allen in Navasota, Texas, hosted by the Iona Collaborative, Episcopal Divinity School, and Trinity Church Wall Street. Because of the five-year grant Waiolaihuiʻia received from the Iona Collaborative, I was invited to be one of the voices at this year’s UnConference.

This year’s theme was “Share & Share Alike? Real Talk About Resources.” There were no keynote speeches, no long plenaries. Instead, bishops, funders, educators, lay leaders, clergy, and formation program deans gathered as equals, harnessing the wisdom in the room to explore how we share resources—money, knowledge, leadership, and hope – without depleting ourselves or our communities.

READ FULL ARTICLE (Photo: Chris Gordon)

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE DIOCESE

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

Thank you all for your continued support as the Bishop Search Committee gathers information, insights, and thoughts from the Diocese.

There’s still time to submit responses to the Bishop Search Questionnaire! The submission deadline is Sunday, August 24. Please click HERE to read the Search Committee’s letter and click HERE to submit your response via online form.

Interested in joining in-person discussions as well? Upcoming E Kama‘ilio Kākou (Heart-to-Heart) events include:

Sunday, August 17 - St. Paul's (Saipan)
Sunday, Agusut 24 - All Saints' (Kaua'i)
Sunday, September 7- Christ Memorial (Kaua'i)
Sunday, September 14 – Trinity By-the-Sea (Maui])
Sunday, September 28 - Holy Innocents (Maui)

Additional dates will be announced in the future and more information about the current schedule of events can be found on the Bishop Transition webpage.

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. All are invited to attend ANY of the scheduled sessions regardless of which church you attend.

Spots are filling up! REGISTER NOW FOR EDUCATION DAY

All are invited to participate!

Registration for Education Day, Opening Eucharist, Aloha Reception, and/or Annual Meeting is now OPEN, and we ask that all interested persons register early or as soon as possible, especially for Friday's Education Day. This will be the last of HULI's year-long events with a focus on creation care within our Diocese - an effort to turn our heads, hearts, and hands to the 'āina. This year's Education Day is unlike any before, with opportunities for volunteer work at different sites around the island! The number of volunteers allowed are limited at the off-campus sites and will close once capacity is reached, so be sure to register early to get your preferred choice. If you plan on staying at 'Iolani School for the on-campus activities, there is no limit. You will use the same form to register for any of the four events being offered during Convention 57.

CARING FOR GOD'S EARTH: As part of one of our Education Day displays, we want to hear from you! What are you doing in your own home, or church, or workplace, to care for Godʻs earth? Let's share each other's wisdom and get inspired! Small actions can make a big difference! Click HERE to share your actions.

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

Coming Up! The Ordination of William Joseph Heran

Saturday, August 30, 2025

New Head of School at Seabury Hall

Nicholas Rodriguez was appointed as the new Head of School for Seabury Hall on Maui, effective July 1, 2025. Rodriguez was most recently Head of School at Corbett Preparatory School of IDS in Tampa, Florida.

“We are thrilled to welcome him and his family to Maui and to the Seabury Hall community,” said Clay Sutherland, Chair of the Search Committee and President of Seabury Hall’s Board of Trustees.

“Nick is an exceptional administrator with a distinguished educational background, and his leadership is fueled by a deep passion for doing what is best for students. He is deeply aligned with Seabury Hall’s mission and values, and we have every confidence that he will be a strong steward of our unique culture as he leads Seabury Hall into an exciting future.”

It's not too late! Free 'Olelo Hawai'i Lessons

Free ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi classes have started up again, but it is not too late to join in. The classes are being held on Tuesdays again and will run through the school year. 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). There is also a beginners' 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.

Deadline for enrollment by lottery is tomorrow, August 15! Online Course: Living Postcolonial Anglicanism

Episcopal Divinity School is offering a virtual course taught by Dr. Kwok Pui Lan (former guest speaker at our Diocese's Clergy Retreat) and Bishop Ian Douglas. This course will introduce the demographical shift in the Anglican Communion and the implications for Anglican identity, history, and theology, and invite students to consider how being part of a postcolonial, global family of churches informs their ministry. The course runs on Wednesdays, 7:00-9:00 p.m. EST (1:00-3:00 p.m. HST) from September 24 - October 22. The course is capped at 40, and enrollment will be via lottery system. For more information and to register via lottery, visit the event webpage HERE.

Coming Up! Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Young Adult Retreat at Camp Mokulē'ia

Save the date! Province VIII EYE to be Held in Hawai'i, 2026!

The triennial Episcopal Youth Event (EYE) that would normally take place in 2026, has been postponed. It may make a return in 2028. In its place, the Rev. David Jackson, the Diocese's Coordinator for Youth Ministry, has announced that Province VIII will be holding a youth event here in Hawai'i! It is currently scheduled for July 28-31, 2026. Jackson, along with the Very Rev. Canon Heather Patton-Graham, Dean of the Cathedral of St. Andrew, will be organizing this event geared for high school-aged youth from the 19 Dioceses of our province. Mark your calendars! More info to come!

Coming Up! Godly Play Reunion in September

In this issue, we're introducing our latest feature column with Canon Sandy Graham. Some of you may have already seen his short travel clips on social media, taken during his trips to various churches around the Diocese (and other parts of the world too). These 2-3 minute videos take a delightful glimpse into the life and people of churches you may have heard about but never visited. We will be sharing Canon Sandy's videos through the Chronicle. This first clip was taken during a recent visit to St. John the Divine in Guam, our newest addition to the Diocese. Click HERE or on his image to watch it on YouTube. Enjoy!

SEASON OF CREATION IS SEPTEMBER 1 - OCTOBER 4 THIS YEAR! The Season of Creation is celebrated by Christians around the world as a time for renewing, repairing and restoring our relationship to God, one another, and all of creation. The Episcopal Church joins this international effort for prayer and action for climate justice and an end to environmental racism and ecological destruction. The 2025 theme is Peace with Creation. In celebrating the Season, we are invited to consider anew our ecological, economic, and political ways of living. To learn more and download resources, visit The Episcopal Church's Creation Care webpage HERE.

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

CLERGY CONFERENCE: August 25-27, Grand Naniloa, Hilo HI - Register now!
EAM/AAPI LEADERSHIP RETREAT: September 11-14, Camp Mokulē'ia
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...

Kalihi Waena Annual School Supply Drive

The stairs of the Cathedral were covered with an abundance and beauty of school supplies ready to be blessed. Principal Larkin gave a talk on what a difference these supplies makes for our students.

Summer Sundays will run through August!

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

www.cathedralhawaii.org

KAUA'I: Visiting Youth Choir Brings Voices, Youth, and Congregations Together on the Garden Island

The performances of the newly formed youth chorus, Stellamos, offered an amazing combined chorus of two award-winning Bay Area groups, the Ragazzi Boys Chorus and the Peninsula Girls Chorus. They were joined by the Kumu Ola Youth Choir of St. John's Episcopal Church of West Kaua'i who sang several songs in 'Ōlelo Hawai'i. Performances were held at John's Episcopal Church in 'Ele'ele, on July19 (pictured above left), and at All Saint's Episcopal Church in Kapa'a, on July 20 (pictured above right). All proceeds collected were designated for the development of the Kumu Ola Children's Choir.

Pictured below left, the Rev. Catherine Amy Kropp (Christ Memorial), the Rev. Kerry Joffrion Holder (West Kaua'i), and the Rev. Pamela Stevens take a moment after the performance at All Saints'. Below right, Stellamos also visited Christ Memorial Church and Shared Blessings Thrift Shop in Kilauea, on Monday, July 21, as part of their time on the island. They even offered a small performance for us in the church sanctuary! Members of the traveling youth group "Created for Adventure" were also visiting Shared Blessings and were able to to listen to the performance! (Photos and stories from the Christ Memorial newsletter and All Saints' Epistle)

IN THE NEWS...

Small rural church on Hawai‘i’s Big Island serves community with medical, shower services

The Episcopal News Service has been featuring Big Island churches and their outreach programs of late. Most recently, St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View, was written up for their medical and shower services available on property. Click HERE to read the article dated July 29, 2025.

COMING UP...

SATURDAY, AUGUST 23, 2025

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

SATURDAY, AUGUST 23

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

SATURDAY, AUGUST 23

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

ONGOING THROUGH AUGUST 25

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

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

AUGUST 29 & 30, 2025

(Practices begin August 1)

All Saints', 4-1061 Kuhio Hwy., Kapa'a, Kaua'i

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

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

The Episcopal Church & Beyond...

Reminders (Previously Announced)

ANNUAL CLERGY CONFERENCE - 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. Visit the event webpage HERE for more information 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.