Molokai History:
(from “History of the Catholic Mission in the Hawaiian Islands” by Father Reginald Yzendoorn, SS.CC., Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Limited, Honolulu, U.S. Territory of Hawaii, 1927)
There were but few Catholics on the island of Molokai outside of the leper settlement on the peninsula; their number may have amounted to about two hundred, disseminated over the different valleys at great distance. For this reason, and also on account of the insufficient number of priests, no resident priest had been on the island till that time (1873, with the arrival of Father Damien). Once in a while, a priest from Oahu or Maui went over to Molokai to administer the Sacraments. As the number of lepers increased in the settlement, they (the priests) went there more frequently. Thus, Father Raymond remained for several weeks in the year 1871 and 1872; about the same time Father Aubert made also frequent visits to the settlement, and even offered to take up his permanent abode among the lepers. In March, 1873, Father Boniface came to the Leper Settlement to allow the inmates to make their Easter duties; he had the pleasure of giving Holy Communion to ninety of them.
Before 1872, Catholics had no churches on the island of Molokai; services were held in provisory chapels made of grass. In this year (1872), they asked for a more decent chapel. A wooden chapel was made by Bro. Victorin Bertrant at Honolulu, and erected by at Kalawao. It was blessed by Father Raymond on May 30, 1872, and dedicated to St. Philomena.
After Father Raymond had again left on June 10, 1872, the Catholics frequently gathered in their little chapel to recite the rosary and other prayers. But what they needed much more than a church was a resident priest to console them in their sufferings, and principally to assist them in the hour of death. The time had come to fill this want.
Mahalo nui & Be Safe!
Fr. Brian, ss.cc.
Priest
Molokai