Waikiki’s St. Augustine by-the-Sea Church is celebrating its 160th anniversary with a gala benefit dinner at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 28 at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. The theme for the dinner is “Celebrating 160 years of service in Waikiki.”
The parish has decided to donate all proceeds from the benefit dinner to the Damien and Marianne Foundation to be used toward construction of a permanent Damien and Marianne Museum on the grounds of St. Augustine Church. The museum will tell the story of Hawaii’s two saints, St. Damien and St. Marianne, who ministered to those exiled to Kalaupapa.
“For 160 years, St. Augustine Parish has had a unique place in Waikiki, serving both the spiritual and temporal needs of its parishioners, visitors from around the world and the neighboring community,” said its pastor, Sacred Hearts Father Lane K. Akiona.
“Now this parish community has also chosen to ensure that visitors and residents alike can be enriched by learning about the work and mission of Sts. Damien and Marianne, a story today’s world sorely needs to hear,” he said.
The Waikiki parish traces its roots back to a chapel constructed in 1854 on the beach of coconut fronds and timber that had washed ashore. That site later was exchanged for a piece of land on Ohua Avenue where another temporary chapel was constructed.
A more permanent church was blessed on Aug. 28, 1901, the feast day of St. Augustine. Known worldwide for its unique lattice-work walls, the church was enlarged twice, in 1910 and in 1925. In 1929, the parish opened St. Augustine School, originally in a building adjacent to the church. Land was later acquired down the street for an elementary school through grade 8. The school was closed in 1980 because of declining enrollment and increases in operating costs.
The church built in 1901 would stand for 60 years, but time, termites and a growing population took their toll. Although the old church with no windows had become a Waikiki landmark, by the late 1950s it was clear another church had to be built.
In 1962, the current building, designed by local architect George McLaughlin, was completed. Its unique design symbolizes hands in prayer. For all of its 160 years, St. Augustine Church has had a strong pull on those who have been a part of its history.
The parish has also been dedicated to serving those in need. Its “soup kitchen” has provided a daily hot meal for those who are hungry for more than 30 years. More than 1,500 people are served monthly. The parish also has reached out to others who serve the hungry and the homeless, assisting Kuliouou’s Holy Trinity Parish with Family Promise of Hawaii, Our Lady of Keaau’s ministry to the homeless in Waianae, Kaumakapili Church in Kalihi, St. Rita in Nanakuli and more.
Tickets for the gala dinner are $160 per person and sponsor-level tables of $5,000 (St. Augustine Table) and $4,000 (Founder’s Table) are also available. Call the parish office at 923-7024 to purchase tickets.
St. Augustine is also seeking old photos of the school and the parish, as well as memories parishioners and former parishioners would like to share. Please contact the parish office.
