Hawaii Catholic Herald

Newspaper of the Diocese of Honolulu

A ‘fabulous’ life: For Makia Malo, the obstacles of Hansen’s disease led to a personal triumph

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By Valerie Monson Special to the Herald “Despite the separation from family, it was a fabulous life and it was a fabulous world.” So pronounced Makia Malo as he greeted everyone at a meeting of Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa in 2015. Those were unlikely words from someone diagnosed with leprosy who was taken from his […]

Kalaupapa’s Barbara ‘Bobbie’ Marks: ‘I wanted to learn’

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By Valerie Monson Special to the Herald Barbara “Bobbie” Marks did not allow her love for learning to be shelved when she suddenly had to leave her cherished Sacred Hearts Academy in Kaimuki in 1946 because she was diagnosed with leprosy. Throughout her many years at Kalaupapa and Hale Mohalu in Pearl City, Barbara was […]

Micronesia’s first native bishop, Bishop Amando Samo, dies

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Micronesia’s first native bishop, retired Bishop Amando Samo of the Diocese of the Caroline Islands in the Federated States of Micronesia, died Aug. 7 on Chuuk Island, at age 72. He was a bishop for 34 years. Bishop Samo’s legacy is a “truly Micronesian Church,” said Jesuit missionary to Micronesia Father Francis X. Hezel, a […]

SISTER GIOVANNA MARIE MARCOCCIA, CSJ | 1934-2021

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She told her students they were ‘wonderful, loveable and capable’ Lifelong educator Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet Giovanna Marie Marcoccia, fondly remembered for telling her students that they were “wonderful, loveable and capable,” died peacefully in Honolulu July 13 after a short illness. She was 87 and had served in Hawaii for 43 years. […]

SISTER STEPHEN MARIE SERRAO, OSF | 1929-2021

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‘Journeying with God’ was a blessing for Hilo-born Sister of St. Francis Sister Stephen Marie Serrao, a “Hilo girl” who served as a Catholic school educator for 50 years and is remembered for her “great sense of humor,” died July 6 at age 91 at the Plaza in Kaneohe after a brief illness. She was […]

SISTER DOLORES ROSSO, MM | 1924-2021

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Maryknoller’s mission a ‘source of awe, wonder, joy and gratitude’ Maryknoll Sister Dolores Rosso, who served more than 45 years in Hawaii, mostly at Maryknoll School, died July 6 at Maryknoll, New York. As a Maryknoll Sister for 78 years, her personal motto, from St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians, was, “I live, now not […]

DONALD E. SECOR | 1929-2020

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Vicar general’s father set a ‘peacemaker’ example Vicar general Msgr. Gary Secor will finally lay his father to rest exactly one year after he died. Donald E. Secor, a convert to Catholicism who was quietly proud to be the father of a priest, died on July 13, 2020. His funeral, delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, […]

SISTER GEORGENE PERRY, SSCC | 1928-2021

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Sacred Hearts sister, teacher, counselor loved the dance of life Here are extended excerpts from the eulogy for Sacred Hearts Sister Georgene Perry, who died May 20 at age 93, by Sacred Hearts Sister Irene Barboza delivered at Sister Georgene’s funeral June 3 in the St. Margaret Mary Chapel at Sacred Hearts Academy. By Sister […]

CLARENCE ‘BOOGIE’ KAHILIHIWA | 1941-2021

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Kalaupapa resident of over 60 years taught the importance of ‘giving back’ By Valerie Monson Special to the Herald Clarence “Boogie” Kahilihiwa, one of the youngest of the Kalaupapa community who evolved into a strong leader, delivering his powerful words to the State Legislature, the Board of Land and Natural Resources and Iolani Palace, died […]