Top: Bishop Larry Silva presided May 29 at the Oahu funeral for Meli Watanuki, a resident of Kalaupapa who died May 17 at age 91. The service at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu was attended by family, friends and community members who remembered Watanuki as a strong-willed, joyful presence who made everyone feel welcome when they visited the remote Molokai peninsula that served as a settlement for Hansen’s disease patients. During his homily, Bishop Silva noted that he was carrying his crozier, or staff, which he did not always do. He recalled an instance years ago when Watanuki urged him to carry the crozier despite its unwieldy size — so of course, he did, Bishop Silva said as the congregation chuckled. Watanuki was laid to rest June 4 in Kalaupapa. (Celia K. Downes / Hawaii Catholic Herald)
Middle: Losa Fe‘a-Key, Meli Watanuki’s grandniece, gave the eulogy at Watanuki’s funeral May 29 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa.
Bottom: Priests who concelebrated with Bishop Silva were Blessed Sacrament Father Robert Stark, standing behind Bishop Silva; Sacred Hearts Father Pat Killilea, third from right, who is missioned in Kalaupapa; Father Romple Emwalu, second from right, pastor of St. Michael Church in Waialua; and Msgr. Gary Secor, right. Deacon Bambi Emayo, left, and Deacon Mike Browning, second from left, assisted with the liturgy. (Photos by Celia K. Downes / Hawaii Catholic Herald)