A landmark church in Kailua-Kona that has been a spiritual hub and community gathering place for many will reopen this month after several years of rebuilding.
The newly constructed St. Michael the Archangel Church on Alii Drive will be dedicated at 5 p.m. March 25 and the public is invited to the nearly two-hour special service to be led by the Rev. Larry Silva, the bishop of Honolulu, who will bless the property. Masses will follow, beginning March 26.
“We’re very excited about having a permanent place to call home again,” said the Rev. Konelio “Lio” Faletoi. “Ever since the earthquakes, we have been on the move and on a spiritual journey, one that has truly tested who we are. Despite the hurdles, we have still remained present in the community and determined to create the sanctuary of our beloved church, which is more than a place of worship for Catholics to praise the Lord. Throughout it all, we have put our faith and trust in the Lord and the Lord continues to give us what we can handle.”
The faith of the church’s 2,000-member families was tested Oct. 15, 2006, when earthquakes severely damaged the more than 160-year-old structure. The church, after being deemed unsafe by structural engineers, closed and was decommissioned in 2009, with services hosted three years on the grounds under a tent.
The church soon was demolished, along with the adjacent wooden administration building, which opened as a convent for the Sisters of the Holy Family in 1955. A groundbreaking for the new church was hosted Sept. 28, 2012. Originally, church officials estimated it would be completed by fall or winter 2014.
Delays were mostly because of the typical unknowns that can arise when doing construction in Hawaii, including not knowing exactly what’s below until the project starts. Lava tubes and unstable soil are things that had to be considered, as well as being in a flood zone and special management area. A major obstacle was site preparation and building the underground foundation to construct the foundation on which the church now sits, Faletoi said.
Not only did it take time to clear the site, it also took time to meet the requirements and obtain the permits or permissions from various agencies and groups. Despite the lengthy process, those agencies and groups have been very supportive and helpful throughout the project, Faletoi said.
During the construction, tent services were moved off site of the Alii Drive property to Honokohau Industrial Park.
At nearly 9,500 square feet, the new $11 million church is larger and offers seating for 500. Constructed by Heartwood Pacific on a 3-acre campus, the church will offer outdoor parking for 125 vehicles. New footings on the property’s south side are in place for St. Michael’s future parish center, which will house administrative offices, conference rooms, a library and certified kitchen.
While the 1940 Coral Grotto was moved to the front, the cemetery was not disturbed. Inside the church is a baptismal font sculpted from a large piece of West Hawaii lava. The font has mosaic tiles and etched are the words that appeared over the altar of the first church. It reads: “E Kuu Keiki: E Ho Mai Nou Kou Puuwai A E Ike Oe I Kuu Alahele,” which means “The Lord Says to Thee: Give Me Thy Heart and Let Thine Eyes Keep My Ways.”
The north and south sides of the rectangular-shaped church have six sliding glass doors that open to two sprawling lanai along the length of the building. Behind the main altar is a small adoration chapel, which houses two of the original church’s tall stained glass windows.
Local artisans crafted the church’s new altar, ambo (pulpit) and presider’s chair and cabinetry in both sacristies was completed by a local woodworker. Similar to the original church, a steeple crowns the eastern end of the new structure and contains the parish’s 1853 bell, a gift from France. The bell will be rung during the dedication and every Sunday, Faletoi said.
Designed by Lively Architects of Honolulu, the church’s front is elevated 21 feet to meet building code requirements and the entrance is accessed via two semi-circular stairways. Cradled between the stairways is a restored, freshwater well that historically was used by the Kona community. The well serves as a central feature in the Waikupua Brick Garden, which uses multi-colored, inscribed pavers in a circular mosaic design to chronicle not only those who played a significant role in Kona’s Catholic heritage, but also inscriptions by brick sponsors.
During a tour Monday afternoon, Faletoi proudly spoke about the special care, thought and work that went into maintaining the church’s original character and architectural detail while blending it with 21st century features and being good stewards of the environment.
The original St. Michael’s was built in the early 1850s of lava rock and coral sand mortar; the floor was simple, hard-packed dirt. It was dedicated upon completion in 1855.
Demolition of St. Michael’s included locating the remains of Father Joachim Marechal, who oversaw the original church’s construction and was buried in the church in 1859. Archeologist Bob Rechtman of Rechtman Consulting guided the exhumation and the priest’s remains were reinterred in front of the altar under the sanctuary.
Today, St. Michael’s Parish — which includes the four mission churches of Immaculate Conception in Holualoa, Holy Rosary in Kalaoa, St. Paul’s in Honalo and St. Peter’s by the Sea in Keauhou — serves 2,000 families. In addition, the parish welcomes thousands of visitors annually.
As patrons of the arts, the church plans to support artists and musicians by giving them a place to share their talents. Already, a Christmas concert is being planned. St. Michael’s also hopes to host several community events on its campus, including the annual Thanksgiving program organized with other island churches, Faletoi said.
St. Michael’s has a capital campaign to pay off construction debt and build the future parish center. That campaign launched in 2010 and it remains a legacy project. All donations are tax deductible. To contribute or for more information, call 326-7771.
Email Carolyn Lucas-Zenk at clucas-zenk@westhawaiitoday.com.
