Hawaii Catholic Herald

Newspaper of the Diocese of Honolulu

MARYKNOLL SISTER SANDRA ANNE GALAZIN | 1944-2015: Missioner served more than four decades in Hawaii as social worker, counselor

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Maryknoll Sister Sandra Anne Galazin, who served most of her 47 years of religious life as a counselor and social worker in Hawaii, died Sept. 26, at Maryknoll Sisters Center in Ossining, N.Y. She was 71. Sister Sandy, as she was known in the Islands, recalled her religious calling in a 2011 Hawaii Catholic Herald […]

Deacon Hiram Haupu | 1952-2015: Deacon served Maui quietly, humbly for 14 years

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“Sometimes our prayers might change the situation and sometimes our prayers just change us.” Maui Deacon Hiram Haupu wrote those words in his pocket calendar shortly before he died at his Wailuku home on Sept. 13. His wife Elaine, who later found the sentence among Hiram’s health notes, considers it to be her deacon husband’s […]

DEACON JULIO M. AKAPITO | 1945-2015: Former congressman, lawyer, educator served fellow Micronesians

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Deacon Julio Muritok Akapito, who came to Hawaii 11 years ago from Chuuk in the Federated States of Micronesia with a broad range of achievements in politics, law, education, sports and religion, and who, for the past seven years served immigrant Micronesian Catholics as a deacon at two parishes on the Big Island’s east side, […]

SISTER TERESITA OF THE CHILD JESUS TAM | 1920-2015: Nun brought artistry to Isle’s first cloistered community

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Sister Teresita of the Child Jesus Tam, one of the seven original founders of Hawaii’s Carmelite monastery, whose artistic and gardening talents brightened the contemplative community for four decades, died Aug. 19 in a Kaneohe care home. She was 95 and a Carmelite for 80 years. Her superior Sister Agnella Iu described her fellow Carmelite […]

WINONA KAMAI | 1936-2015: Former diocesan employee also served parish and community

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In addition to working for the Diocese of Honolulu for 25 years and keeping tabs over a large extended family, Winona Blanche Leialoha Nobrega Kamai filled her time volunteering for a multitude of parish ministries, community activities and Hawaiian affairs. “Nona,” as everyone affectionately called her, died peacefully in her Honolulu home on July 21. […]

Sister Rose Miriam Schillinger, CSJ | 1927-2015: Lifelong educator served Oahu schools for 40 years

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Sister Rose Miriam Schillinger, a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet for the past 70 years who served four decades in Catholic Schools on Oahu, died July 2 at St. Joseph’s Provincial House in Latham, N.Y. She was 88. Sister Rose Miriam was a dedicated educator: a kind, effective teacher and an affirming, respected principal. […]

Father William F. Breault, SJ | 1926-2015: Frequent isle visitor was an artist, author

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Jesuit Father William F. Breault, an artist, author, archivist and teacher who spent many summers during the 1960s and 1970s assisting at St. John Vianney Parish in Kailua, died June 29, at Sacred Heart Jesuit Center, Los Gatos. He was 88. According to vicar general Father Gary Secor, Father Breault came to Hawaii in the […]

DEACON ANDREW GERAKAS | 1928-2015: A life of generous service, shaped by love of the Eucharist

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Deacon Andrew Jude Gerakas, whose devotion to daily Eucharist compelled him to leave the Greek Orthodox Church to become a Roman Catholic, and then one of Hawaii’s first permanent deacons, died on May 18 in Honolulu. He was 87 and a deacon at Star of the Sea Parish in Waialae-Kahala for 34 years. Gerakas served […]

Obituary | Sister M. Olivia Gibson, OSF: 1924-2015

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Franciscan was a teacher, speech pathologist, Hollywood inspiration Sister M. Olivia Gibson, a Sister of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities for 71 years, peacefully embraced Sister Death at St. Francis Convent in Honolulu on March 19, the solemnity of St. Joseph, patron of a happy death. She was 90. A devoted teacher who specialized […]