​Cathedral Celebration Marks Historic Times and Future of Hope

"King Kamehameha V laid the cornerstone of the Cathedral of St. Andrew on March 5, 1897.  A strong and properly built foundation is essential for any structure to support the entire weight, distribute loads evenly, and ensure stability and longevity, preventing issues. This goes the same for our new Dean of the Cathedral, who is creating a stronger foundation and is responsible for the administration and spiritual leadership.  We are excited for the Very Reverend Heather L. Patton-Graham as our new Catherdral Dean.  Ho'omaika'i'ana!" ~ Roth Puahala, Senior Warden & Head Verger, The Cathedral of St. Andrew

[March 13, 2025, Honolulu, HI]  On Sunday, March 2, 2025, during a special Festive Choral Evensong event, The Cathedral of St. Andrew honored King Kamehameha V on the anniversary of the laying of the Cathedral cornerstone. The service included the installation of its Dean, the Very Rev. Heather Patton-Graham. It was a momentous occasion, honoring the vision of King Kamehameha IV and his wife, Queen Emma, who established the Anglican Church in Hawai'i. It was a time of hope for the church back then, and on this day, the hope continues with its new Dean, as she leads during tumultuous times.  ​

Gentle trades and the melodious sounds of the Cathedral bells chiming from the Mackintosh Tower, set the tone for a most memorable evening as folks gathered at the cornerstone located outside of the Cathedral at the back of the apse. Numerous clergy from around the Diocese and representatives from The Royal Order and Royal Societies were in attendance. The sound of the pū marked the beginning of the service and Cathedral member, Kimo Kahoano, proceeded to read the Acknowledgement of Land. (Click on any image for larger view)​

Acknowledgement of Land

The Cathedral of St. Andrew acknowledges that the ‘āina on which we gather, this wahi pana, is in the Ahupuaʻa of Honolulu; in the moku of Kona; on the mokupuni of Kākuhihewa; in the Pa‘āina of Hawai‘i. This wahi pana is part of the larger territory recognized by Indigenous Hawaiians as their ancestral grandmother, Papahānaumoku.

We honor and give thanks to the founding patrons of our Diocese and this Cathedral, King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma. We gather from the gifted land on which our Cathedral stands, entrusted to this Church by the same Holy Sovereigns. The trust they placed in the Church was to care for their people, Kānaka Maoli, to provide for the keiki of their Kingdom, to care for all of Creation, and to strive for justice and peace.
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We further recognize that Her Majesty Queen Lili'uokalani yielded the Hawaiian Kingdom and these territories under duress and protest to the United States to avoid the bloodshed of her people. Queen Liliʻuokalani remained an active member of this Cathedral until her death.

The Cathedral of St. Andrew today honors this legacy and recognizes our kuleana – our responsibilities and our dear privileges - to care for this 'āina, for its people, and for the many generations yet to come. To the Glory of God.

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Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick opened with a Collect for the Church, and Kimo Kahoano continued with a reading from the Biography of King Kamehameha V (excerpt shown below).  Dean Heather and the Bishop blessed the cornerstone and afterwards, all who were gathered processed to the Cathedral led with oli by the Cathedral's Head Verger, Roth Puahala, The Royal Order, and the Royal Societies.

(Excerpts from the Biography of King Kamehameha V)

​Born 11 December 1830, the son of Chief Mataio Kekūanao‘a, governor of Oahu (1839-1868) and High Chiefess Kīna‘u, daughter of Kamehameha I, Kuhina-nui and governor of Oahu 1832-1839, Lot Kamehameha acceded to the throne on 30 November 1863 upon the death of his brother Kamehameha IV.​

​On March 5, 1867, Kamehameha V laid the cornerstone of The Cathedral of St. Andrew, initiating a building program which would take 90 years to complete. Chief amongst those attending the laying of the cornerstone was Queen Emma, widow of Kamehameha IV, through whose vision and effort the design of the cathedral had been commissioned and the initial monies raised to begin this first important phase of construction. 

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​The sketch shown above was done by British artist G. H. Burgess who was visiting Hawai'i at the time. The picture shows the King, and behind him are Bishop Staley, the Rev. George Mason carrying the cross, Col. Curtis P. Iaukea, the Court Chamberlain, and other officials.  (From the Cathedral website)

As folks made their way to the Cathedral and settled into the pews, they were met by the magnificent music of organist Mark Wong and the exhilarating voices of the Cathedral Choir and Orvis Scholars, led by Music Director Nicholas Keone Lee.

The procession featured the Cathedral's streamers, clergy from around the Diocese, and the Priory students of St. Andrew's Schools where Dean Heather also serves as Chaplain. 

Dean Heather opened with a reading from Ephesians 4:1-6. The Cathedral's Wardens, Roth Puahala (Senior Warden) and ​Quincy Barefoot (Junior Warden) presented her to the Bishop who read the Letter of Institution to officially empower her authority as Dean of the Cathedral.

Choir members Anne Murphy and Mary Fiedler then presented Dean Heather with the Cathedral Choir Response Book, inviting her to "join us as we offer our art and music to perfect the praises of God’s people."

​​Devin Alford and Elizabeth Conklin presented the lectern Bible, and the Lessons followed with readings by lectors Sue Ann Wargo, from the St. Andrew's Schools and Cathedral Chapter, and Debbie Nākānelua-Richards, who recited the second reading in Hawaiian.

The Bishop delivered the Homily, eliciting chuckles with a promise to be short.  His sermon can be viewed in its entirety in the video section further below. The Renewal of Baptismal Vows and Asperges by Dean Heather followed, her joy radiating with every smile, glance, and wave of ti leaf.

More symbolic items were presented by various ministries and groups, but one "gift" in particular moved folks to tears. With voices of angels, the students from St. Andrew's Priory surprised their Chaplain, with a beautiful oli. 

Symbolic presentations were:

​Heritage presenters: Vergers Roth Puahala and Ann Hansen with lei and St. Andrew’s tartan

St. Andrew’s Schools: Dr. Ruth Fletcher, Head of School, with Cathedral roof tile etched with the St. Andrew's Schools Coral Cross

Queen Emma Square: The Rev. Canon Randy Albano and The Rev. Ruth Peterson with a Gospel Book

Eucharistic Ministers: Matt Brown and Leilani Kahoano with chalice and paten

Altar Guild: Joyce Kato and Judy Masuda with flask of oil

Intercessors: Katelyn Salcedo and Barbara Service with two Books of Common Prayer, one in English and the other in Hawaiian as translated by King Kamehameha IV 

Prayers and hymns closed out the service, with the Celtic Pipes and Drums of Hawai'i leading the Procession out of the Cathedral and to Davies Hall, where a celebratory reception was held. As is tradition in Hawai'i, Dean Heather was buried in lei from friends and 'ohana wishing her well in this new chapter of her life. 

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"It was a glorious and heavenly event! The Liturgy was so impressive and touched everyone's heart. I felt I was present during the actual laying of the cornerstone. The installation of Dean Heather was significantly memorable bringing everyone together in singing that heavenly chorus. The hymns, prayers, readings, homily and the giving and receiving of the symbols for the ministry with the participation of representatives from the Square, made it so Divine. The Liturgy was itself a bridge bringing us back to our founding fathers; a bridge that encourages us to continue and be faithful in our ministry; a bridge that connects us one to another and to God the Almighty. It has been an honor and privilege for St. Paul's to be a part of this beautiful and glorious event." ~ The Rev. Canon Randolph Albano, Vicar, St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Heartfelt Words of Appreciation from Dean Heather...

Christ is made the sure foundation--
Christ the head and cornerstone!

What an incredible celebration of who we are, dear Cathedral of St. Andrew! March 2, 2025, was an evening rich and vibrant in history, legacy, liturgy, and music – Thank you! 

Thank you for sharing in this beautiful calling to be the Cathedral of St. Andrew, answering the prayers and the vision of the Holy Sovereigns, building on the cornerstone and foundation laid by King Kamehameha V, and living into the spirit of the generations of families and folks and clergy who have called this Cathedral their spiritual home.

Also – from deep within my heart – a woefully inadequate expression of my gratitude and love for the goodness and beauty and aloha that embraced the formal and official beginning (new beginning?!) of our ministry together  (woefully inadequate because I simply just do not have the words...) – To be honored by the invitation and calling as the Dean of this Cathedral and to have the opportunity to walk alongside you and our Diocesan siblings and neighbors is tremendous, and the trust which has been afforded to me by the Bishop and the Chapter is not lost on me. I am profoundly humbled, and I am dedicated to this journey with you.

Mahalo mahalo nui to all who came together to make this evening all that it was – Honored guests from the Royal Order and Royal Societies, Queen Emma Civic Club, St. Andrew’s Schools, Queen Emma Square partners, dear fellow Clergy, Congregation, and Diocesan ʻOhana and friends, family – One and All~~ Thank you. Beyond and beyond.

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​Now, Onward ~ We have this sure foundation to mālama and an entrusted legacy to build upon~~ Together! 

Thanks be to God!
​Dean Heather+

Almighty God, who gave such grace to your apostle Andrew that he readily obeyed the call of your Son Jesus Christ, and brought his brother with him: Give us, who are called by your Holy Word, grace to follow him without delay, and to bring those near to us into his gracious presence; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

​Hoʻomaikaʻi Dean Heather!

​"Our Cathedral services are always an exemplary offering to God’s glory, and the cornerstone blessing with the installation of a new dean was exceptionally moving. The land acknowledgement and cornerstone blessing was a powerful way to draw the past and present together; it reminded me of the great cloud of witnesses whom we succeed and beckons humility from us all as we seek to follow Jesus today.  While Heather is not the first woman called to hold the title of dean at The Cathedral, I was joyfully encouraged and inspired to witness a fellow sister taking her place in senior leadership. I think Dean Heather brings profound respect for Hawaiian history and tradition and will hold it precious in the pursuit of following Jesus in our time." ~ The Rev. Katlin McCallister, Vicar, Church of the Holy Apostles

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Video Coverage:

This Bishop's Homily - Enjoy the Bishop's sermon in its entirety.

The full service can be viewed here. While the outdoor portion had audio and streaming difficulties, the entire service inside the Cathedral (beginning at 13:10) is complete.

Editor's Closing Note: Although Dean Heather was officially installed on this day, she effectively began her responsibilities on December 1, 2024, having first served as Provost and Residentiary Canon since 2020. Her appointment was a fitting call for one so deserving, during a year when the Diocese recognized the invaluable role of women in our churches. During 2024, the entire Episcopal Church celebrated the 50th anniversary of the ordination of women priests, and the theme of Convention 56 in our Diocese was "In thanksgiving for the Ministry of Women in the Episcopal Church." Dean Heather was one of several women featured in the Convention's theme video that is shown here. (Her segment begins at 13:18.) Her appointment was the perfect cap to a year of celebrating women in the Church!

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Reporting: Sybil Nishioka, Communications Specialist and Editor
All photos by Marco Garcia Photography