Hawaii Catholic Herald

Newspaper of the Diocese of Honolulu

Talk story: A Lenten call for peace

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Office for Social Ministry “Today we lift up our prayer for peace in the world, asking that nations renounce weapons and choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy.” (Pope Leo XIV, prayer intention for March 2026) As bombs were falling in the Middle East this month, Pope Leo XIV lifted his hands and spirit in […]

Father Roland Pacudan / 1957-2026: ‘Singing Priest’ shared creativity, faith with all

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Special to the Herald Father Roland Emmanuel Duterte Pacudan, affectionately remembered by many as “the Singing Priest,” passed away suddenly on Feb. 16 at age 68. He was born on Oct. 21, 1957, in Alicia, Bohol, Philippines. At age 9 he moved to Hawaii, where his life of faith and service would ultimately flourish. Father […]

Damien students walk in the footsteps of a saint

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By Kiara Kam Special to the Herald Mountains of colorful cans, stacks of Cup Noodles and cases of Vienna sausage greeted Damien Memorial School students earlier this year when they walked into the cafeteria to get their lunch. The new year often inspires people to enact meaningful change in their lives — something that Damien’s […]

Former CRS leader makes case for hope in dark times

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By Scarlett Rose Ford Special to the Herald Since the Jubilee Year of Hope concluded in January, recent global events have left many people longing for a renewed sense of hope, while others feel overwhelmed and discouraged by just how hopeless the world appears. This tension formed the heart of Carolyn Woo’s presentation Feb. 22 […]

Couple finds fulfillment, family at Maria Lanakila

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By Catholic Stewardship Consultants www.CatholicSteward.com For more than two decades, Carmela and Joseph Esser vacationed in the Lahaina area. They fell in love with the Maui town, the people who lived there and Maria Lanakila Church, as well as the parish’s Sacred Hearts Mission Church in Kapalua. When the couple officially moved from the Chicago […]

Mass, banquet kick off Holy Rosary’s centennial celebration

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By Almie Lonzaga Special to the Herald Holy Rosary Church in Paia, Maui, formally opened its yearlong centennial celebration Feb. 14 with its inaugural centennial banquet, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the church’s 1926 groundbreaking. The evening started with a special Mass celebrated by Father William Kunisch, pastor of St. Theresa Church in Kihei, who […]

Maui Council of Filipino Catholic Clubs installs new leadership teams

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Special to the Herald The Maui Council of Filipino Catholic Clubs installed its new administrative officers and committee chairpersons for the 2026-27 term Feb. 7 in a ceremony at Christ the King Church in Kahului. La Salette Father Efren Tomas, spiritual director of the council, presided over the ceremony. The new officers are: The new […]

Knights honor clergy, religious men and women at annual dinner

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By Robert Camilleri Special to the Herald On Feb. 16, over 200 priests, deacons, religious women and men, and members of the Knights of Columbus and their families gathered in the Kroc Community Center in Ewa Beach for the annual Knights of Columbus Hawaii State Council Religious Appreciation Dinner.For the first time, before the dinner, […]