By Robert Camilleri
Special to the Herald
The Knights of Columbus Hawaii State Council held its annual Columbus Day banquet Oct. 9 for more than 170 Knights, their families and guests at the Hawaii Okinawa Center in Waipio.
Attendees enjoyed a buffet dinner blessed by associate state chaplain Father Jack Legal. After the meal, master of ceremonies and state advocate Alberto Morales spoke about why Christopher Columbus, the namesake of the storied fraternal lay organization, is honored.
Grand Knight Richard Lacuesta of St. Jude Council 12733 in Kapolei then presented a $100 check to Jenni Heleski, who accepted the donation on behalf of the Mary Jane Home, which provides a safe and supportive living environment for pregnant women in need.
State Deputy Lito Alvarez then handed out awards for councils’ outstanding performance during the 2025-2026 fraternal year.
The following councils received the prestigious Star Council Award: Father Damien de Veuster Council 6906; Our Lady of La Salette Council 10475, Our Lady of Good Counsel Council 11636, Kamiano Council 11743, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Council 12045, St. Jude Council 12733, St. Ann Council 14620, St. Joseph the Worker Council 15124, Sts. Peter and Paul Council 16002, St. Michael the Archangel Council 16741, St. John the Baptist Council 17042 and St. Roch Council 17802.
Maria Lanakila Council 15774 of Lahaina received two Supreme Council Contest of Champions awards for achieving a net increase of 43 new members and a 717% increase in new membership.
The following district deputies were recognized by the Supreme Council with the Star District award for their extraordinary service to their councils: state advocate Alberto Morales, state warden Galo Comacho, and Melvin Cervantes, Herman Monaco and Marcial Tumacder.
Other awards presented at the dinner:
- The inaugural Phoenix Rising award, recognizing the council that made the greatest improvement year-over-year, went to Grand Knight Robert Camilleri of St. Joseph the Worker Council 15124 in Makiki and Manoa.
- The Grand Knight of the Year award went to Grand Knight Mike Akana of Our Lady of Good Counsel Council 11636 in Pearl City.
- Morales and Tumacder were honored as the district deputies of the year.
- The Council of the Year was St. Michael the Archangel Council 16741 in Waialua.
The lifetime achievement award for the 2025-2026 fraternal year was presented to past state deputy and former Master Stanley Fernandez. A state Senate honorary certificate chronicled Fernandez’s lifetime of service to the Knights of Columbus, the Diocese of Honolulu and his local community.
State chaplain Father Peter Miti closed the evening with a prayer and blessing for the Knights, their families and guests.