By Dr. Llewellyn Young
Superintendent, Hawaii Catholic Schools
As the doors of our Catholic schools once again open to welcome students, families, faculty and staff, we begin a new academic year with hearts full of gratitude, hope and anticipation.
This school year holds special significance as the Diocese of Honolulu joins the universal church in celebrating 200 years of Catholicism in Hawaii. This is a remarkable milestone that reminds us of the enduring legacy of faith, service and education that has shaped our islands since the arrival of the first Catholic missionaries in 1827.
This bicentennial celebration provides us with an opportunity not only to reflect on our rich history but also to look confidently toward the future.
For two centuries, Catholic education has remained one of the church’s greatest ministries of evangelization, forming young people academically, spiritually, morally, socially and emotionally. Our schools continue to answer Christ’s call to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Mt 28:19), preparing students not only for college and careers, but for lives of faith, purpose and service.
The past year was not without its challenges. Like many Catholic school systems across the nation, we experienced changing demographics and enrollment pressures that required difficult decisions. St. Michael School in Waialua transitioned from a prekindergarten-eighth grade school to a preschool ministry, while St. Anthony School on Maui courageously restructured from a PK-12 school to a PK-8 school, concluding its long and proud tradition of providing high school education.
These changes were understandably emotional for the communities they affected. Yet they also demonstrated the resilience, faith and determination that have always characterized Catholic education in Hawaii. Throughout these transitions, our mission has never changed. Our commitment to forming disciples of Jesus Christ remained steadfast, and our schools continued to provide exceptional educational experiences rooted in the Gospel.
While some of our schools continue to face enrollment challenges, the overall strength of Catholic education in Hawaii remains vibrant. Our schools consistently provide an outstanding academic education while never losing sight of what makes Catholic education truly unique: the education of the whole child.
Catholic schools recognize that every child is created in the image and likeness of God (Gn 1:27). Therefore, education extends far beyond textbooks and standardized assessments.
We strive to develop the intellectual, spiritual, emotional, physical, moral and social dimensions of every student. We nurture curious minds, compassionate hearts, strong character, healthy bodies and faithful disciples. We teach students not simply what to know, but how to live lives of integrity, kindness, justice and service.
Our classrooms cultivate academic excellence while our campuses cultivate faith communities. Students pray together, worship together, serve together and grow together. They learn that success is measured not only by achievement but by how they use their gifts in service to others.
Our Catholic schools also serve as extraordinary cultural communities that reflect the beauty and diversity of Hawaii itself. Students and families from many nations, cultures and ethnic backgrounds come together as one ohana, enriching one another through their unique traditions, languages, and experiences. Filipino, Native Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Samoan, Tongan, Chuukese, Marshallese, Hispanic, Caucasian and many other cultures are celebrated throughout our schools, creating learning environments where diversity is embraced as one of God’s greatest gifts.
As St. Paul reminds us, “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same spirit” (1 Cor 12:4). Our differences do not divide us; they strengthen us and bear witness to the universal nature of the Catholic Church.
At the same time, our schools remain deeply rooted in our unique Hawaiian home. We recognize that our campuses exist on lands rich with history, culture and sacred significance. We strive to honor Native Hawaiian values, traditions, language and our shared sense of place, integrating respect for creation, community, stewardship and aloha into daily life. By doing so, our students learn to appreciate both the heritage of Hawaii and the universality of our Catholic faith.
Most importantly, our schools are ministries of the church. Every lesson, every prayer, every act of service, every celebration and every relationship is intended to draw our young people into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.
Academic excellence is one of our goals, but evangelization remains our highest calling. As Bishop Emeritus Larry Silva often reminded us throughout his years of faithful leadership, while an excellent education is essential, our Catholic identity must always remain at the forefront of everything we do.
This year also brings tremendous excitement throughout our school system. We eagerly anticipate gathering for the annual Mass of the Holy Spirit, asking God to bless our students, educators and school communities as we begin the year together. Our talented students will once again lift their voices in praise during the Hawaii Catholic Schools Choral Festival, showcasing not only musical excellence but the joy of worship through song.
Our educators will continue their own professional and spiritual formation during the three-day Annual Conference for Catholic School Educators, where teachers, principals, pastors and religious education leaders will gather to grow together in faith, leadership and instructional excellence.
Our fifth-grade students will once again participate in the inspiring I Go 2 College program, encouraging them to dream boldly about their futures while recognizing that higher education and lifelong learning are attainable goals for every child.
This school year also marks the joyful beginning of a new chapter in the life of our diocese as we welcome our new shepherd, Bishop Michael T.T. Castori, SJ. We look forward to his pastoral leadership, his support of Catholic education and the opportunity for our students to encounter Christ through his ministry.
Together, we continue building upon the strong foundation laid over two centuries of Catholic presence in Hawaii.
None of this important work, however, belongs solely to our schools. The future of Catholic education belongs to all of us. Parents, grandparents, alumni, parishioners, pastors, business leaders and community members each have a role to play in strengthening our schools. One of the greatest gifts we can offer is a personal invitation.
If you believe in Catholic education, share your story. Invite a family to visit a Catholic school. Speak positively about the difference our schools make in the lives of children. Become an ambassador for our mission. Every conversation, every recommendation, every prayer and every act of generosity helps ensure that future generations will continue to benefit from the gift of Catholic education.
As we celebrate this historic bicentennial year, may we remember the countless priests, religious sisters, brothers, educators, benefactors, parents and students whose sacrifices have made Catholic education in Hawaii possible. Their legacy now becomes our responsibility.
May this new school year be filled with joyful learning, lasting friendships, renewed faith and abundant blessings. May our schools continue to shine as beacons of academic excellence, cultural understanding and Christ-centered love throughout our islands.
Together, let us move forward with confidence, hope and peace, trusting that God, who has faithfully guided Catholic education in Hawaii for 200 years, will continue to bless our schools, our families, and our communities for generations to come.
May the peace of Christ dwell richly in every classroom, every campus and every heart as we begin this extraordinary new school year.