Molokai History: [from "Hawaii Catholic Herald", December 23, 2011] "Molokai blesses its long-awaited St. Damien Church in Kaunakakai" At the church's entrance, the chairman of the parish building committee, Stephen Petro, welcomed Bishop Silva and presented him with official documents and the key to the front door. The bishop passed the keys to pastor, Sacred [...]
Molokai History: [from Hawaii Catholic Herald, December 23, 2011] It's a welcoming church appropriate for a friendly isle. The people of Molokai blessed their long-awaited St. Damien Church in Kaunakakai on Dec. 9 with an inaugural congregation too large for the new building to hold, expressing a joy too great to hold in. Bishop Larry [...]
Molokai History: [a reprint from the Hawaii Catholic Herald of May 20, 1966] Father Damien built two other churches on the East End of Molokai. They were St. John the Evangelist at Moanui and St. Ann at Halawa. He built these in 1876. St. John's was torn down in 1934 and St. Ann's was abandoned [...]
Molokai History: [from Hawaii Catholic Herald, May 20, 1966] The distance from Kaunakakai to Kamalo, St. Joseph's Church and a mission of St. Sophia's is eleven miles, but the road is good. St. Joseph's was built in 1876 by Father Damien and is still in use today. It never had a resident priest but it [...]
Molokai History: [from Molokai Catholic Community Report to the Vicariate, February 12, 1998] The island of Molokai was visited by Sacred Hearts priests from O'ahu and then Maui from the middle 1840's. Catechists who fled the persecution on O'ahu built up a small community of believers on Moloka'i but they faced more persecution from the [...]
Molokai History: [from The Catholic Herald, June 25, 1937] With succeeding years, Kaunakakai's population increased gradually to the point where the little church there had become much too small to accomodate the growing Catholic congregation. Plans were made several times to enlarge the building, but it never went further than planning, as other localities in [...]
By Deacon Jim Krupka This article begins a series drawing from Pope Francis’ message to the world on love in the family. Early as pope, Pope Francis called on the Church to reflect on the role and challenges of families in modern times. In 2014 and 2015, the Pope assembled two gatherings, called synods, focused [...]
Molokai History: [from The Catholic Herald, June 25, 1937] His Excellency Stephen P. Alencastre To Bless New St. Sophia Church At Kaunakakai, Molokai Even excepting Kalawao in the Molokai Leper Settlement, no other island has so many memories of Father Damien's missionary labors than the Island of Molokai. For when in 1873 Father Damien became [...]
Molokai History: [from the Internet and history files at St. Damien] Andrew Kapalaau Poaha was born in Waikapoki, Kaneohe, Kingdom of Hawaii on May 17, 1856 to Edward William Bishop Kapalaau Poaha and Kalena Kamauoha. Andrew married Elizabeth Keakakulani Kapiioho and had 8 children. He knew Father Damien from when Father Damien was building Our [...]
Molokai History: [from Honolulu Advertiser, obituaries, March 11, 1931] Life of 115 Years Ends on Molokai Kamalo, Molokai - March 9 After residence on Molokai for more than 100 years, Mrs. Kailiohe Kameekua, age 115, died at her home here yesterday afternoon following an illness of about a month. The aged matriarch was born at [...]