Molokai History:

(from “Pioneers of the Faith: History of the Catholic Mission in Hawaii (1827-1940)” by Robert Schoofs, SS.CC., Sturgis Printing Company, Inc., Honolulu, HI, 1978)

(continued from May 21st)

After Kaunakakai got its little church in 1914, religious progress in this little town became noticeable, until in the mid-1930’s its little church was bursting at the seams, while the first churches to be closed in East Molokai were St. Ann’s of Halawa in 1930, and St. John’s of Moanui in 1934. On the other hand, what the district lost in the East was gained back in the West at Kaunakakai, because of its natural harbor and pier, from which, very early, pineapple was being shipped to the cannery in Honolulu. Somehow ships have always attracted people as well as business, and Kaunakakai was no exception. Soon more homes sprang up in the little town; then shops, a theater, a hotel, stores, garages, and finally offices of business and professional people together with subsidiary Federal and County buildings. In a few years Kaunakakai became the capital, the business and civic center as well as the playground of Molokai.

To keep pace with this economic progress, the little church made room in 1937 for a new church more than double the size of the original one. Funds for this new church with a seating capacity of 200 were gathered locally. When Bishop Alencastre came to Molokai on July 4, 1937, to solemnly bless the new church, he therefore dedicated the sacred edifice to St. Sophia. And so, St. Sophia of Kaunakakai became the seat of the new ecclesiastical district, with Kaluaaha and Kamalo as its missions. For three years Father Sebastian, not a young man and already showing the ravages of the disease that was soon to carry him to his grave, took care of his flock with admirable courage and deep devotion. When he could no longer carry on, Father Octave Igodt, SS.CC., another veteran in the sacred ministry, took over enthusiastically.

(to be continued tomorrow)

Blessings, Pono & Pule!

Fr. Brian Guerrini, ss.cc.
Priest
Molokai