Island parishes and Catholic schools were spared from major damages when Tropical Storm Iselle hit Hawaii, Aug. 8.
It was the first tropical storm to hit the state in more than 20 years.
Iselle made landfall on the east side of the Big Island during the early morning of Aug. 8. Puna was one of the areas most affected by the storm, as torrential rain and 60 mph winds uprooted trees, flooded streams and knocked down power lines. Thousands of Puna residents were without electricity for days.
St. Joseph Church in Hilo and Sacred Heart Church in Pahoa, both located near the Puna district, reported no structural damages or injuries from Iselle.
Sacred Heart Church secretary Bernice Walker, however, told the Hawaii Catholic Herald that attendance at the Saturday vigil Mass Aug. 9 was significantly lower, as residents cleaned up after the storm.
“The church was only one-fourth full,” Walker said.
Walker said the parish has been assisting people in surrounding subdivisions by providing ice, water, coolers and other supplies. She said Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Papaikou will be donating food to the parish for distribution to people in need.
The Herald received no reports of storm-related incidents on the other islands.
Hurricane Julio, a Category 1 storm which trailed close after Iselle, was en route to affect Hawaii Aug. 10, but diverted on a northward track away from the state.