By Maile Kipapa
Special to the Herald
In 1900, Franciscan sisters began running St. Joseph School, then a girls’ school, helping to establish a strong foundation for Catholic education in Hilo. In 1944, the purchase of land at Ululani and Hualalai streets secured the future site of St. Joseph elementary and high schools.
Just a few years after the land purchase, a preexisting boys’ school and the girls’ school were consolidated on the new campus, enrolling 963 students.
Meanwhile, at St. Joseph Church, Franciscan sisters continued their ministry for many decades before departing in 2009. Several Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians from India came to serve the parish, remaining until 2011.
Students and staff had the special opportunity this month to visit one of the most influential Franciscan educators from that era: Sister Rose Annette Ahuna, a Sister of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities, retired religious educator and 63 years perpetually professed. Sister Rose Annette served as principal of St. Joseph School during the 1970s and 1980s, forming generations of students through faith, discipline and compassion.
Accompanying the group were Head of School Maile Kipapa and Athletic Director Mike Costales, who was once a student under Sister Rose Annette. Reflecting on his memories, Mr. Costales shared with a laugh, “Sister Rose Annette was my biology teacher — she was tough, man! She then became my principal and later my boss when I became a teacher myself at St. Joseph after graduating.”
The visit was especially meaningful for Kumu Kipapa, who is Sister Rose Annette’s grandniece — known to her simply as Aunty Lei Ahuna.
Senior campus ministers Connor Faletoi and Jaselle Kamaka-Mauhili spent meaningful time with Sister Rose Annette, who graciously welcomed the group and offered a tour of her living quarters at The Plaza in Kaneohe. The visit was filled with warm stories and heartfelt reconnections.
Also present during the visit were Sister Charlene Epil, Sister Pat Rapozo, Sister Agatha Perreira and Sister Theresa Chow. Sister Theresa has long accompanied Sister Rose Annette in her ministry, and her presence added to the sense of warmth and community felt throughout the gathering.
The sisters were overjoyed to reconnect with Mr. Costales, their former student, now a beloved leader at the school.
The special visit served as a beautiful reminder of the enduring bonds within the St. Joseph School ohana and the lasting legacy of the Franciscan sisters who helped build its foundation.
The sisters also mentioned how special the visitation from St. Joseph School was for them. Sister Pat shared with heartfelt emotion, “I miss Hilo so much, and I wish I could go back to visit. Having all of you here today feels like the most wonderful Christmas present.”
Above: The group of Franciscan sisters and St. Joseph School visitors at The Plaza in Kaneohe included, from left: Sister Pat Rapozo, Connor Faletoi, Jaselle Kamaka-Mauhili, Sister Theresa Chow, Sister Rose Annette Ahuna, Maile Kipapa, Sister Charlene Epil and Mike Costales. (Courtesy Maile Kipapa)