April 10, 2025
Dear Friends,
Peace be with you!
As you know, we have been working on the restoration of our beautiful and historic Cathedral Basilica for many years. In the past, you have been patient with parts of the church being closed off and the disruption that comes from renovations.
We have decided that it is time to finish the complete renovation of the Cathedral as soon as possible, but this time, we will need to close the Cathedral for at least a year or a year and a half. This will enable us to do the work completely, safely, and inexpensively rather than doing it in small parts over many more years. We plan to close the Cathedral on Easter Monday, April 21, immediately after the 6:30 a.m. Mass.
It is very important that the Cathedral community remain intact and cohesive during this time of construction, so we ask you to make some sacrifices to stay together during this time. Your presence as a cohesive community will be even important once the renovations are completed, and we welcome more pilgrims to this holy place, especially to pray in the presence of the relic of St. Damien and the body of St. Marianne Cope, which will be enshrined in a new Reliquary Chapel on the mauka side of the Cathedral.
We thank you in advance for your patience and your willingness to sacrifice the comfort of your church home so that we can return it to you in all its magnificence.
Beginning on Saturday, April 26, 2025, Sunday Masses and the Saturday anticipated Mass will be held at the site of the former Cathedral Catholic Academy, 1728 Nu’uanu Avenue, Honolulu, 96817. The current tenants have graciously agreed to let the Cathedral community worship there in the auditorium on weekends. The weekend Mass schedule is as follows:
Saturday, 5:00 p.m.; Sunday, 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, and 5:00 p.m.
(Note: There will be no 6:00 a.m. Mass on Sunday, and the Sunday evening Mass will be at 5:00 p.m. rather than 6:00 p.m.) Limited parking is available on the site.
We are still working on a site for weekday Masses, but we are not able to give you that information at this time. We will provide it to you as soon as possible.
Although the Diocese of Honolulu is taking the lead in the renovations and the fundraising for it, we ask your prayers for the success of our fundraising efforts and the safety of the workers.
Thank you for your understanding and your patience during this time of temporary separation from your beloved church home.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact the Cathedral Office at (808) 536-7036. May the Lord bless you always!
Sincerely yours in Christ,
+ Bishop Larry Silva
Bishop of Honolulu
