2025 Convention 57

CONVENTION 57
Education Day & the 57th Annual Meeting of Convention
The Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i
October 24 & 25, 2025
'Iolani School, Honolulu, O'ahu

[Special Edition Convention E-Chronicle] The Diocese of Hawai'i's Convention 57 was a very special and meaningful event with an underlying current of emotion, both spoken and unspoken, as this gathering marked the countdown of Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick's final year of leading the Diocese of Hawai'i.

Beginning with Friday's Education Day and related activities, Convention 57 contained a number of "firsts" straying from convention norms. Folks were bussed to different locations around the island for volunteer work or took part in activities on the 'Iolani School campus, living into the Convention's theme*, Huli ka lima i lalo (turning our hands to the ʻāina). In the aternoon, the Convention's Opening Eucharist included the ordination of the Diocese's newest vocational deacon, Kalani Holokai, and special entertainment was provided during the Aloha Reception that followed.

On Saturday, new check-in procedures were being tested for the upcoming Special Meeting of Convention in May 2026, when the Diocese elects its new Bishop. The Annual Meeting had a packed agenda that included a record number (at least during Bishop Bob's time) of nine resolutions and five special orders of business!

Along with the regular election of governance members, there would also be the election of General Convention deputies that has often led to three ballots. Remarkably, the meeting was adjourned on time, due in large part to the Bishop's ability to keep things flowing and in control!

Business aside, a wonderful Education Day, Opening Eucharist, Aloha Reception, a moving Bishop's Address, and emotional Address Response, made for an unforgettable Convention.

The two-day event also welcomed student volunteers from 'Iolani School who were available to help direct people, run errands, move furniture, and pretty much anything organizer Rae Costa needed done! They and other volunteers from the Diocese were dressed in the Diocese's new colorful yellow t-shirts.

We begin our Convention coverage by sharing a photo from the Clergy Women's Talk Story and Dinner held on Thursday, October 23. This was their second pre-convention gathering held at The Cathedral of St. Andrew's Von Holt Room. The first dinner was held last year, also the day before the Convention, when the theme focused on the ministry of women in the Church. With such great fellowship being shared, it now looks to become an annual pre-convention event for our women clergy.

Blessed Is She Who Believes!
The (now) annual pre-convention Clergy Women Talk Story and Dinner was a wonderful celebration, honoring Mother Imelda Padasdao's (seated center) 35th Anniversary of her priesting. She is the first Filipina priest in the whole Anglican Communion! And, we surprised the Rev. Jenn Latham (seated left) in her 5th anniversary year— having been ordained during the height of COVID, she missed out on clergy ‘laying on of hands’ and a ton of lei. We fixed that tonight! We also prayed for the resolve and courage of the new Archbishop of Canterbury (Dame Sarah Mullally). Mahalo nui to the Rev. Heather Mueller, the Rev. Karen Swanson, the Rev. Alison Dingley, and the Rev. Carol Arney for the invitation to gather. (Photo and captioning from The Cathedral of St. Andrew's Facebook page)

While this page is generally arranged in chronological order, click on the Quick Link buttons below to go directly to that section.

Quick Links:

CONVENTION 57 THEME:
Huli ka lima i lalo ~ Turning our hands to the ʻāina*

This year's convention theme comes from a collaborative effort involving three Diocesan ministries: Kahuaola (formerly the Creation Care and Environmental Justice Task Force), the Ho'imi Pono Racial Reconciliation Task Force, and the Native Hawaiian Ministry Committee. The team was awarded a Creation Care Grant from The Episcopal Church and named their year-long project Huli, which means to turn, to change.

Huli ka lima i lalo means to turn the hands down. When our hands are turned down, they are working, they are productive, and they are stewarding that which is in front of them. This ‘ōlelo noʻeau invokes the image of hands planted in the lepo (dirt, earth) as they care for ʻāina. From a Hawaiian perspective, the health and wellbeing of both ʻāina and kanaka are tied and kanaka has a kuleana to mālama (care for) this relationship. This relationship, in and of itself, is lifegiving to both people and ʻāina, and, when cultivated well, the result is good, healthy, healing ʻai (food, taro) that nourishes us in mind, body, and spirit. ~ The Rev. Jazzy Bostock

EDUCATION DAY: HULI KA LIMA I LALO
Friday, October 24, 2025

The greetings, check-in, registration, hospitality, lunch, organization generally were smooth and excellent. Better than other dioceses actually! I was glad to be there as a visitor, supporting Grace Molokaʻi. ~ The Rev. Canon Lesley Hay

On Friday, October 24, folks began arriving bright and early at 'Iolani School in Honolulu. Over half of the day's participants were quickly whisked off in busses to different sites around the island for an opportunity to live into the convention theme, Huli Ka Lima I Lalo: Turning our hands to the ʻāina. They took part in "hands-on" volunteer work, literally getting their "hands in the dirt", cleaning, weeding, shoveling, planting, learning and growing. The sites, selected by the Huli team, were carefully selected with the Convention's underlying theme and Huli project in mind. The Huli team and Diocesan Support Center (DSC) staff stepped up to the challenge of organizing a complex task that included months of communication with various organizations, arranging transportation, lunches, on-site leaders, and making sure the workday volunteers were well prepared and equiped.

While many of the day's participants departed early from 'Iolani School in order to make it to their sites across the island, others, who opted to stay on-site at 'Iolani School, were able to take part in a number of different activities related to "creation care." They were also able to begin their busy day with Morning Prayer, led by the Rev. Deacon Hannah Lee Sung.

OFF-SITE LOCATIONS:
Volunteer groups were limited in size depending on the site selected and work being done. The off-site locations were Ulupō Heiau in Kailua, with Kauluakalana, a community-based, non-profit organization; Ka Papa Loʻi O Kānewai, a cultural research and outreach program housed at the Hawaiʻinuiakea School of Hawaiian Knowledge at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa; Hoʻoulu ʻĀina, a 100-acre nature preserve nestled in the back of Kalihi valley on the island of Oʻahu, cared for by Kōkua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services, a nonprofit community health center and Federally Qualified Health Center; and Reppun (Waianu) Farm in Waiāhole Valley in Kaneohe, to help on the Waianu farm of the Reppun brothers. Their sustainable organic farm emphasizes sustainable agricultural practices, including organic growing strategies and crop cycling.

We had an amazing day at Ka Papa Loʻi o Kānewai - [I] learned a lot about the loʻi and did a few smaller tasks that seemed to make a difference. ~ The Rev. Jenn Latham

Pictured in the above left slideshow, a group at Ulupō Heiau, and at right, at Ka Papa Loʻi O Kānewai. Below is the group at Hoʻoulu ʻĀina. Off-site photos were contributed by the Rev. Jenn Latham, the Rev. Bree Lloyd, and the Rev. Karen Swanson.

I was part of the group the went up Hoʻoulu ʻĀina in Kalihi Valley. It was a wonderful experience. Getting down in the dirt and pulling weeds as well as learning about the vision for the 100 acres of land Kokua Kalihi Valley had secured, fed my soul on many levels. It was great meeting new people and reconnecting with friends in that context. The staff who worked with us were very supportive. They adapted our work to our capacity. I learned a lot from Mo who was our leader. The whole experience made me feel more connected to the ʻāina. ~ Survey Respondent

ON-SITE AT 'IOLANI SCHOOL:
Meanwhile, at the 'Iolani School campus, there were a number of different activities that folks could choose from, all related to the Huli theme or creation care (recycling). With no set time limits for the morning sessions, participants could take part in as many activities they wanted to that included working in the school's gardens, composting, seeding plants with the kind folks from Maoli Farms, creating braided rugs or pillows from recycled t-shirts, and creating this year's Necrology display that involved learning to make ti leaf lei. (See section further below.) After lunch, attendees took part in an interactive game show, BEAT! THAT! HEAT!, that made its original appearance in a previous convention. Lindy Marzo of Holy Apostles assisted the online game show host where players formed teams to answer questions about climate solutions while having a great time. At one point, the game got participants up on their feet dancing!

As someone who could not participate in off-site activities due to health issues, I appreciated having several on-site activities to choose from. I liked meeting and chatting with people from other islands, and learning more about their parishes. ~ Dana Williams

The activities for Friday were great! My opinion is that there were too many options. Selfishly I wanted to do all of them and couldn't. ~ Survey Respondent

I appreciated being able to participate in 3 different activities on campus. It felt great being able to get my hands dirty in the gardens. ~ Survey Respondent

I enjoyed making leis and talking with different people who were also making lei or working on the little white hearts remembering those who have passed on. ~ Survey Respondent

NECROLOGY DISPLAY: REST IN LOVE & LIFE
This year's necrology display was a group effort made by those who stayed on-site to take part in activities on campus. Keeping the creation care theme in mind, participants learned how to make the popular twisted ti leaf lei from the Rev. Keleawe Hee, a member of the Huli team. Each lei would represent a church in the Diocese who had a member that died during the past church calendar year (September 2024- August 2025).

Meanwhile, small hearts made from recycled seed paper, were embellished with the name of a church member who died. Participants with "nice handwriting" were asked to do the honors!
Each lei was strung with the hearts of those members who died from that church.

Completed lei were then pinned and draped on the necrology display. At the end of the meeting, clergy or leaders from each church were able to take the lei back their congregations, where the paper seed hearts could be planted into the ground to bring forth new life.

Also on the display, and in keeping with the Huli theme, paper taro leaf shapes were recycled from the 2019 Renewal event when then Presiding Bishop Michael Curry visited the Diocese. Folks were asked to share their ideas or actions for helping the environment, and writing them on the leaves which were then pinned to the bottom of the necrology display to create a "kalo field."

Afternoon in Seto Hall was educational - [I] learned quite a bit. ~ Survey Respondent

AFTERNOON SESSION: SPECIAL SCREENING OF HAWAIIAN SOUL
Off-site participants returned to the campus in time to watch a special screening of Hawaiian Soul, a movie about Native Hawaiian George Jarrett Helm's legacy of aloha ʻāina through music and activism. George was a personal hero to friends ʻĀina Paikai (writer & director), and Kaliko Maʻiʻi (producer), and in 2019, they finally had the opportunity to create the film that they had dreamed of. Working closely with the Helm ʻohana and months of pre-production, the cast and crew flew to Kalamaʻula, Molokaʻi to shoot the film. For those who were on set during that week, it was an emotional, exhausting, and magical experience. ʻĀina Paikai was on hand to introduce and talk about the film, and afterwards, opened up the floor to answer questions.

CONVENTION EUCHARIST, ORDINATION, & ALOHA RECEPTION

What a special and happy occasion as we kicked off the convention with an Opening Eucharist with the ordination of a deacon – especially one that is from [diocesan] staff. We are glad that Kalani finally answered the call! ~ Survey Respondent

At 4:00 p.m., the Convention's Opening Eucharist took place in St. Alban's Chapel on the 'Iolani campus, organized by the Rev. Canon Andrew Arakawa (who also serves as a school chaplain at 'Iolani), and the Very Rev. Heather Patton-Graham. During the service, Priscilla Kalanikauikaalaneo ("Kalani") Holokai was ordained to the Diaconate as the Diocese's newest vocational deacon. On hand to provide support were her fellow vocational deacons (who also served as the Convention's chaplains): Archdeacon Steve Costa, Deacons Lani Bowman, Alberta Buller, Mary Margaret Smith, and Peter Wu. A host of family and friends flew in for the service to share in this joyous occasion. (See also "A Warm Welcome for the Diocese's Newest Deacon", Hawaiian Church Chronicle, December 12, 2025)

Archdeacon Steve Costa sounded the pū, signifying the start of the service. Cathedral Head Verger, Roth Puahala, led the ‘oli, followed by acolyte Mary Carpenter. Clergy processed in, filling the center front pews in support of their newest colleague. Music filled the Chapel with Geri Ching accompanying on the organ. Introduced in the service as a hymn written by Queen Liliu‘okalani called "He Pule" (A Prayer). That hymn would also be the closing song for the Annual Meeting on Saturday. Reading the lessons were Lot Lau and Dana Williams, with Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick delivering the sermon. The newly ordained Deacon Holokai joined the Bishop at the altar for the Great Thanksgiving.

Ordaining a deacon is always special, and this ordination was VERY special. So glad to have been a part of this. ~ Survey Respondent

More survey responses: The liturgy was well planned and executed. ~ I enjoyed the music. ~ Trancendant ~ A beautiful spiritual event! The music was glorious!

ALOHA RECEPTION:
Immediately following the service, the Aloha Reception was held under the adjoining tent and featured Bishop Bob's favorite Hawaiian food! In previous years, the Aloha Receptions didn't usually include entertainment, so folks were pleasantly surprised by the lovely hula dancers and great music ensemble organized by Jill Haworth and her husband the Rev. Mark Haworth of Halau Wa'a. The "pop-up" hula group included members from churches around the Diocese!

More survey responses: Hula from across the Diocese was a winner! Congratulations to Jill for getting this to happen. Hope they can do it again.

Good food and good fellowship. We all had a great time!

Lovely; great food and good company. Nice to have a Hawaiian menu.

57TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CONVENTION
OF THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF HAWAI'I
Saturday, October 25, 2025

I have been to lots of conventions and this one ranks among the best. ~ Survey Respondent

October's mild temperatures and gentle trades are always a plus for Convention gatherings, and Saturday held true to the seasonal fall weather. With new check-in procedures being promoted and tested in preparation for 2026's Convention to elect the Diocese's next bishop, organizers were pleased that clergy and delegates arrived early and on time!

Folks were greeted with bright smiles at the check-in tables where Jill Haworth, Mark Haworth, and Faye Hee, scanned folks in, assisted by cheerful volunteers Norma Chun, Pam Fern, Mary Ann Lentz, and Melissa Shimomura. Check-in went smoothly with the use of QR codes, color-coded nametages and lanyards. Voting members were then directed to the elections table where Jeannie Cooper and Jan Hashizume were on hand to issue individual voter ID cards, and to make sure folks understood the process for voting and where their secret voter ID was located. Nearby a help desk, manned by Rae Costa, and Kaori Matsumoto, were there to answer any questions and help late registrants.

Once checked in, attendees could enjoy refreshments of fresh fruit, muffins, pastries and snacks, and catch up with friends or make new ones. Organizers also tested out separate entrances into Seto Hall for voting and non-voting attendees, and inside, little footprints on the carpet directed folks to their assigned seats. New to the venue was a giant state-of-the-art LED screen display where the convention slides and presentations would be shown on. On the leeward side of the room was the necrology display from Friday's Education Day, and running alongside the windward wall was the recycled book table, and Camp Mokulē'ia's booth with Executive Director Darrell Whitaker available to chat and share information.

The 57th Annual Meeting of the Convention of the Diocese of Hawai'i was convened at 9:01 a.m. The Right Reverend Robert Fitzpatrick welcomed everyone, and the Venerable Steve Costa, Archdeacon of the Diocese of Hawai'i, offered the Opening Prayer.

Introductions followed beginning with those on stage: Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick, President of the Convention; Mr. Wayne Yoshigai, Chancellor; the Rev. Jennifer Masada, Dispatch of Business Chair; and the Rev. Annalise Pasalo, Secretary of Convention. Mr. Ryan Kusumoto, Treasurer of the Diocese was also recognized. Clergy new to the Diocese were introduced along with those who were ordained (deacons and priests), those who left the Diocese, and those who retired.

Regular orders of business commenced. Jill Haworth, the Credentials Committee Chair, presented the Quorum Report which was duly constituted, followed by the granting of seat and voice, the Appointments to Committees of the Convention, and Adoption of the Agenda. The nominations for Diocesan Offices and General Convention Deputies were reviewed and then the floor opened for additional nominations for which none were received. Then at 9:23 a.m., the Bishop delivered his address to the Convention.

Despite the anticipation of a longer than usual meeting with such a packed agenda, it ended before the set time of 4:00 p.m., due in large part to the Bishop's skillful and efficient command of the meeting.

I appreciated all the positive and welcoming people at the Annual Meeting. As a 'first-timer,' I felt very supported. ~ Beth Young

Reconnecting with people is always the highlight of Convention. ~ Survey Respondent

Bishop Bob was good with smarts and humor, moving the agenda along very well. ~ Survey Respondent

BISHOP'S ADDRESS & RESPONSE

Loved the Bishop's message, and the response was also brilliant! ~ Survey Respondent

BISHOP'S ADDRESS: The opening for the Bishop's Address may have caught some off guard when a Godfather figurine suddenly appeared on the podium and the "Godfather Waltz" started playing. But for those who've been around the Bishop for a while, know that his favorite movies include Star Trek (which he has referred to in previous Addresses) and The Godfather. While the playful interlude was meant to lighten the more serious nature of the work ahead, he was likely feeling the weight of responsibility for leading an organization during tumultuous times, much like the character in the Godfather...minus the gore.

In his Address, the Bishop acknowledged and recognized that Hawai'i is an illegally occupied nation, and how the Church, invited by King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma to care for its people and all of creation, has not always fulfilled that responsibility. He asked for forgiveness.

With this meeting marking his final year as Bishop, he reflected upon his own ordination 18 years ago, and asked people to recite certain portions of the "Examination." He spoke about what the next year will look like for the Diocese, his role in it, and churches as well; the relationships, passions, our responsibilities as Christians, and the importance of a prayerful life.

Appreciate the additional detail on what the next year is likely to include in terms of our search for our next Bishop. ~ Survey Respondent

View the Bishop's Address above, or download the text version HERE.

In an act of humble servitude, the Bishop closed by leaving the stage to kneel among the people while the Rev. Annalise Pasalo, Secretary of the Convention, recited the prayer that is said during the laying-on-of-hands by the Bishops in the ordination service. She invited all to say the prayer over him together.

Survey responses:
[The Bishop's] address was very touching, especially looking back to his ordination. Praying for him as a body was very meaningful. ~

Bishop's address was very moving. ~

RESPONSE TO THE BISHOP'S ADDRESS: his mee "Examination." He spoke about w
Response made by Keleawe Hee, Catherine Amy Kropp, Wendy Legaspi, Solah Palaroan, Stason Skeen, and Mark Haworth (Convener).

ELECTIONS, BUDGET & RESOLUTIONS

ELECTION RESULTS:

DIOCESAN COUNCIL

Clergy Kaua'i County (3-year term) - The Rev. Deacon Mary Margaret Smith
Clergy Honolulu County (1-year term) - The Rev. Frank Condello II
Lay Hawai'i County (3-year term) - Richard Witter
Lay-At-Large (3-year term) - Wendy Legaspi

For a complete listing of Diocesan Council members, visit the Diocesan website HERE.

STANDING COMMITTEE

Clergy At-Large (4-year term) - The Rev. Mark Haworth
Lay At-Large (4-year term) - Joan Sokei Vila

For a complete listing of Standing Committee members, visit the Diocesan website HERE.

CATHEDRAL CHAPTER

Clergy At-Large (2-year term) - The Rev. Ruth Peterson
Lay At-Large (2-year term) - Manny Dayao

SECRETARY OF CONVENTION - The Rev. Annalise Pasalo

BISHOP'S APPOINTMENTS:

Chancellor - Wayne Yoshigai
Vice Chancellor - Douglass Adams
Registrar - Rae Costa

COMMISSION ON MINISTRY

Clergy (4-year term) - The Rev. Ernesto "JaR" Pasalo
Lay (4-year term) - Lisa Delong

For a complete listing of COM members, click HERE.

DISCIPLINARY BOARD

Clergy (3-year term) - The Rev. Libby Berman
Lay (3-year term) - Laurie Luczak
Lay (3-year term) - Devin Alford

GENERAL CONVENTION DEPUTATION:

CLERGY DEPUTIES

The Rev. Cn. Andrew Arakawa
The Very Rev. Heather Patton-Graham
The Rev. David Jackson
The Rev. Jennifer Latham

Clergy Alternates

The Rev. Jennifer Masada
The Rev. Deacon Alberta Buller
The Rev. Catherine Amy Kropp
The Rev. George Wong

LAY DEPUTIES

Mary Carpenter (tied)
Ryan Kusumoto (tied)
Roth Puahala
Kimberly Arakawa

Lay Alternates

Chuck Spence
Joseph Cascio
Douglass Adams
Linda Freidenburg

BUDGET:

On behalf of Diocesan Council, Nancy Rowe moved to adopt the Budget. The Bishop called upon Treasurer, Ryan Kusumoto, to present the highlights of the Budget before opening the floor for questions and debate. The budget passed with minimal discussion. Click on the links below to view the approved 2026 Budget Numbers and Narrative.

2026 BUDGET NUMBERS

2026 BUDGET NARRATIVE

RESOLUTIONS:

A record nine (9) Resolutions were considered during this year's Annual Meeting of Convention, with eight adopted (four with amendments), and one referred.

ADOPTED - RESOLUTION #1: 2026 Minimum Clergy Compensation and Benefits Policy of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i

Click HERE to read.

ADOPTEDD - RESOLUTION #2: Revisions to the Rules of Order: Procedural Rules of the Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaiʻi

Click HERE to read.

ADOPTED AS AMENDED - RESOLUTION #3: Revisions to the Canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Hawai‘i

Click HERE to read.

ADOPTED - RESOLUTION #4: Revisions to the Constitution of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Hawai‘i – Second Reading

Note: Constitution changes require adoption at two consecutive Annual Meetings. This resolution was adopted during Convention 56, and Convention 57 was the second reading.

Click HERE to read.

REFERRED - RESOLUTION #5: Nominal Payments to Non-stipendiary Vocational Deacons for participation in the Church Pension Fund (CPG)

Click HERE to read.

Paul Nachtigall, Chair of the Committee on Resolutions, reported on Resolution #5, and moved to refer this resolution to the Diocesan Compensation Review Commission for study with a report to the 58th Annual Meeting of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaiʻi with recommendations for possible action as noted on page 98 of the e-Workbook.

Seconded by:
Dean Heather Patton-Graham, Cathedral of St. Andrews, spoke in support of referral of Resolution #5.

No further discussion.

The Motion to refer passed by simple majority.

ADOPTED AS AMENDED - RESOLUTION #6: Support the Ministry of Deacons through the Association of Episcopal Deacons

Click HERE to read.

ADOPTED AS AMENDED - RESOLUTION #7: Rules and Procedures for the Election of the Sixth Bishop of Hawaiʻi

Click HERE to read.

ADOPTED - RESOLUTION #8: Mahalo from Hulu and Kahualoa

Click HERE to read.

ADOPTED AS AMENDED - RESOLUTION #9: Support of Sanctuary Churches and Against Immigration Raids in Hawaiʻi

BE IT RESOLVED THAT this the 57th Annual Meeting of the Convention of the Diocese of Hawaiʻi affirms the sacred role of places of refuge, compassion, and justice, and commits this Diocese to standing with immigrant and refugee communities who face fear and persecution from immigration enforcement practices.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CONVENTION SUPPORTS THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH’S LAWSUIT FILED ON FEBRUARY 11, 2025 IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CHALLENGING THE RECENT RECISION OF FEDERAL GUIDELINES THAT LIMIT IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT IN SENSITIVE AREAS SUCH AS CHURCHES.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Diocese of Hawaiʻi urges all congregations to prayerfully discern offering assistance to immigrant and refugee communities who face fear and persecution from immigration enforcement practices including accompaniment, safe spaces, advocacy, and prophetic public witness—so that all people may live without fear and continue to access essential services;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Secretary of this Convention shall communicate this resolution to the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, the Episcopal Public Policy Network, and interfaith partners in Hawaiʻi.

It was the least stressful Annual Meeting in a while. The pace was good, expeditious without feeling hurried. The head table seem relaxed and comfortable with each other. ~ Survey Respondent

Very well organized. I appreciate the reports being scheduled intermittedly. ~ Survey Respondent

SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS

The Special Orders of Business were well done. ~ Survey Respondent

Hearing about the progress at Camp Mokule'ia was very encouraging, especially enjoyed the short video. ~ Survey Respondent

All-in-all Convention 57 was a very successful event! Mahalo to all that made this possible. I think we are ready for the May 2026 Election of a New Bishop event! ~ Survey Respondent

Amazing and wonderful! This was my first convention - I just joined the church on Guam last year, where I have been welcomed and loved. As a lesbian who previously had rocky relationships with churches, I cannot tell you how wonderful it felt to stand Friday with our larger church family and know that the love extends beyond my home island. The presence of the Holy Spirit, love, peace and joy were palpable. My body, mind and spirit were with Christ’s family. My family. I was home. ~ Dana Williams

A huge Mahalo and Congratulations to the Support Staff of the Diocese! They are an awesome and amazing group of people who coordinated a challenging and very successful and meaningful event! ~ Survey Respondent

MAHALO! BEHIND THE SCENES
By Rae Costa, Event Organizer, DSC Operations Manager

My 9th Annual Meeting as coordinator is all pau! After 8, you would think we would have experienced most possible scenarios, but number 9 turned out to be a series of firsts: the first time we had 8 resolutions, 5 special orders of business, and the election of General Convention deputies. It was the first time Education Day had off-site locations. And although not the first time we’ve had an ordination at the Opening Eucharist, it was the first time it has happened on top of the other firsts for Education Day and the Annual Meeting.

But what a wonderful two days of events it was! We received great comments about the off-site locations – thank you Huli Team (Jenn Latham, Jazzy Bostock, and Bree Lloyd) for your thoughtful vetting of the locations, coordinating super Team Leaders (Jenn Latham and Karen Swanson, Lani Bowman and Catherine Amy Kropp, Chris Golding, and Mary Carpenter, and Jazzy Bostock and Bree Lloyd) and transportation drivers (Andrew Arakawa, Libby Berman, Brian Rallison, Tusi Meyer, Chris Golding, and Darrell Whitaker), and having the year’s events culminate with Huli Ka Lima I Lalo!

The Opening Eucharist was uplifting and filled with so much joy as we welcomed our newest deacon, Kalani Holokai. Her journey has been a long one, and yet it is just beginning! Thank you to Dean Heather Patton-Graham and Canon Andrew Arakawa for working on the liturgy and logistics; Lot Lau and Dana Williams, our readers; Geri Ching, our organist; Roth Puahala, our verger; Mary Carpenter, our acolyte; and our vocational deacons, Lani Bowman, Alberta Buller, Steve Costa, Mary Margaret Smith, and Peter Wu.

At the Aloha Reception, we were serenaded by the yet to be named band of Mark Haworth and sons along with the beautiful hula coordinated by Jill Haworth.

The Annual Meeting started bright and early for your Credentials and Elections committee members (Jill Haworth, Faye Hee, Melissa Shimomura, Mary Ann Lentz, Jeanne Cooper, and Jan Hashizume), volunteers (Pam Fern, Norma Chun, Maiesha Stovall-Nakoa) and the staff of the Diocesan Support Center. I know I speak for all of them when I say a huge MAHALO to all who attended for arriving early and on-time. Most of us visited ‘Iolani School on a Sunday afternoon to film the “check-in process” video and Sybil blew us away with her expert video editing to produce that short but info-packed clip. We hope it helped!

After a few site visits, numerous emails, and monthly meetings to test a new QR code check-in system, we felt comfortable debuting the new system this year in anticipation of next year’s Special Meeting. We did identify a few tweaks for improvement on our end. We do not anticipate any changes for attendees.

While reading 1 Corinthians 12, I can’t help but be reminded of the many parts it takes to put this event together-each part playing an important role. The staff at ‘Iolani School is amazing! Security kept us safe and opened doors; catering transported food and drinks from temporary kitchen and storage to the dining areas and packed the lunches for the offsite locations; maintenance kept the grounds clean and the bathrooms stocked; A/V made sure our devices were set up and the internet network was working; the chaplains with their super administrator, coordinated all those moving parts with excellent communication; and volunteers from ‘Iolani’s key club helped with traffic control, making and placing the footprints on the carpet, set-up, clean-up, packing, you name it, they did it

I am blessed to work with this group of co-workers. Our resident governance geek, Bishop Bob, can recall things off the top of his head saving us time by not having to search the governance documents for what we need. However, his insanely busy schedule has challenged us to be more organized, efficient, and self-sufficient. His 20+ years of knowledge and experience has helped us immensely to put things into context and allowed us better understanding when implementing changes. That will probably be an impossible trait to replace.

Canon Sandy keeps us all sane with his dad jokes and offers insightful feedback and perspective on forms, communications, and procedures. His recent absence in our office due to his second full-time job, has been deeply felt.

Despite Bishop’s insane schedule, Nani always has a smile for everyone. She worked with Maiesha Stovall-Nakoa to produce over 200 slides for the Annual Meeting. That was in addition to the other tasks she did to help with Education Day and the Annual Meeting.

Jasmi is taking on more every day. It is hard to believe that she has been here only a little more than a year. She worked with Ryan Kusumoto and the Commission on Finance to produce the 2026 Budget. She worked with Jeanne Cooper and Jan Hashizume on Elections.

This was her first Annual Meeting, but Cammy handled the interisland air reservations during the challenging transition from Hawaiian Airlines website to Atmos (Alaska Airlines) website. She also coordinated Child Care.

Sybil…there is nothing this wonderful person cannot do! She edited many a video. She is and will go through 1000s of photos picking out the best of the best to go into the wrap up Chronicle and website. She designed those beautiful Volunteer and DSC Hui shirts that you saw. She attended monthly meetings with Huli to ensure the word got out.

Our Maui Community Relations Coordinator, Kalani, pitched in to help by coming in a day early to run errands for us and helping wherever we needed help! We were also fortunate to be there for her ordination. Didn’t she look good in a collar?

Our missions know Spencer as our Financial Review Assistant. But he is also one of our go-to people on Education Day and Annual Meeting helping with setting up, check-in, packing up and clean up.

We don’t get to see Alofa too often since she works remotely with the Bishop Transition committees, so it was great having her with us for two days. She also is ready with a smile

for everyone and would constantly ask how/where she could help. She also lead the t-shirt upcycling workshop and the attendees walked away with rugs and pillows!

Andrew as our Canon for Ministry Formation and ‘Iolani School Chaplain was our point person for all things ‘Iolani. Between him and Jenni, we didn’t have to worry about anything at ‘Iolani. He even came on the Sunday afternoon that we shot the check-in video just to make sure we had access to everything we needed.

Our part-timers, Sonny and Lynette, worked behind the scenes helping with organizing, proof reading, sorting, making copies, etc.

And our newest staff member, Kaori Matsumoto, who started October 2, hit the ground running to help with name tags and badges, checklists, catering, and anything else that we needed.

Our volunteers, Aunty Norma and Maiesha, help keep our office running by coming in each week (when not on vacation) to help with various office duties. You also saw Aunty Norma at check-in and the hospitality table. Maiesha was up front as our new slides coordinator!

I am most thankful for our lay delegates and voting clergy of the Convention. You gave of your time and talents. You arrived early! You read our emails and newsletters. You watched the videos and were prepared. Because of you, we were able to finish a little early even with all the items on our agenda.

I apologize to anyone I have missed! There are so many to be thankful for!

We have already started preparing for the Special Meeting of the Convention to elect the 6th Bishop of the Diocese of Hawai‘i on May 15, 2026. Don’t forget that the Constitution changes passed the second reading, so each congregation will have one less delegate than in 2025 and the delegates elected in January 2026 will be the delegates for both the Special Meeting of the Convention to elect the 6th Bishop of the Diocese of Hawai‘i and the Annual Meeting of the Convention in October. Both meetings will be at ‘Iolani School. We look forward to gathering again soon!

YOUR CANDIDS!
(From submissions, church news & social media)

Education day
Jazzy - I am SO GRATEFUL to the DSC staff for organizing SO MUCH!!! Thank you!

Dana Williams - As someone who could not participate in off-site activities due to health issues, I appreciated having several on-site activities to choose from. I liked meeting and chatting with people from other islands, and learning more about their parishes. One thing to keep in my for next time - the phone-based climate change game - maybe replace it with another activity. Many of those who stayed on-site were older, and a timed technology-based competition with GIFs, QR-codes, etc. may not have been the best choice for an activity.

Anymous (alison) Kalihi - I was part of the group the went up Kalihi Valley. It was a wonderful experience. Getting down in the dirt and pulling weeds as well as learning about the vision for the 100 acres of land Kokua Kalihi Valley had secured fed my soul on many levels.
It was great meeting new people and reconnecting with friends in that context.
The staff who worked with us were very supportive. They adapted our work to our capacity. I learned a lot from Mo who was our leader.
The whole experience made me feel more connected to the aina.

Anonymous (faith) - The activities for Friday were great! My opinion is that there were too many options. Selfishly I wanted to do all of them and couldn't.

anon - I enjoyed making leis and talking with different people who were also making leis or working on the little white hearts remembering those who have passed on.

Anon - Afternoon in Seto Hall WAS educational - learned quite a bit.
anon - I appreciated being able to participate in 3 different activities on campus. It felt great being able to get my hands dirty in the gardens and I also took it upon myself to explore the elementary campus and loved seeing all that their classrooms had to offer (even though it was from outside looking in).

Eucharist
anon - What a special and happy occasion as we kicked off the convention with an Opening Eucharist of The Ordination of a Deacon. Especially one that is from Bishop's Staff. We are glad that Kalani finally answered the call!
Anonymous (alison) - The liturgy was well planned and executed. I enjoyed the music.
Anonymous (Vernon) - Trancendant,
Anon - A beautiful spiritual event! The music was glorious!
Anon - Ordaining a deacon is always special, and this ordination was VERY special. So glad to have been a part of this.

Dana williams - Amazing and wonderful! This was my first convention - I just joined the church on Guam last year, where I have been welcomed and loved. As a lesbian who previously had rocky relationships with churches, I cannot tell you how wonderful it felt to stand Friday with our larger church family and know that the love extends beyond my home island. The presence of the Holy Spirit, love, peace and joy were palpable. My body, mind and spirit were with Christ’s family. My family. I was home.

anon - Wonderful. Tied in well with the Bishop's Address, in which he focused on his Episcopal Ordination; super to have just been involved in a Deaconate Ordination and to review my own vows, etc.

reception
Anon - Hula from across the Diocese was a winner! Congratulations to Jill for getting this to happen. Hope they can do it again.
anon - Good Food and Good Fellowship. We all had a great time!

anon - Lovely; great food and good company. Nice to have a Hawaiian menu.

Annual meeting
Anonymus (Alison) - It was the least stressful Annual Meeting in a while. The pace was good, expeditious without feeling hurried. The head table seem relaxed and comfortable with each other.

The special orders of business were well done.

Anonymous - It was easy and it I liked the new check in procedures.

Anonymous - Appreciate the additional detail on what the next year is likely to include in terms of our search for our next Bishop

The Rev. Canon Lesley Hay - I was a visitor, guest of Grace Church Molokai. Non voting. I've been at Convention in 5 dioceses in 17 years. This one was excellent from the Dio Office support point of view. The two on the stage with the bishop were BRILLIANT. Bishop Bob was good with smarts and humor, moving the agenda along very well.

Honestly, in every Dio Convention I've attended, (Ct, LI, Newark, AL, Ca), the discussion items are always the worst part but necessary. Yesterday was well done by +Bob moving things along well to conclusions.

Anon - Bishop's address was very moving. Enjoyed the response as well. Didn't have any problems with the voting process, but understand that it can be a challenge if this isn't something you are accustomed to doing. Following the "rules" was better than last year's meeting. Hopefully we are learning!

anon - Loved the Bishop's message, and the response was also brilliant!
anon - Check in worked great. Voting way easier than the paper ballots of my youth, but still a bit frustrating.

anon - His address was very touching, especially looking back to his ordination. Praying for him as a body was very meaningful.

anon - Very well organized. I appreciate the reports being scheduled intermittedly in the schedule. I wished that priority was given to the actual business items before the reports so that we couldʻve had at least half of them done before lunch. Also, being reminded continuously that we must be done by 4 pm and then that the children were going to be brought in at 4:45 ; I believe STIFLED debate and good questioning. Lastly, I believe that the rules should state that the maker of the resolution should be the first person to speak prior to engaging in debate. I believe this would minimize questions and also inform the delegates how to vote.

special orders of bus
Anon - Hearing about the progress at Camp Mokule'ia was very encouraging, especially enjoyed the short video.
anon - Camp Mokuleia video was very well done.

Overall

non - I have been to lots of conventions and this one ranks among the best.
Anonymous (Alison) - Reconnecting with people is always the highlight of Convention. It felt like there was plenty of time and space to do that at Iolani. The value of gathering at the Cathedral is real, especially for the Convention Eucharist, but Iolani is a much better facility for the Convention as a whole.
The Rev. Canon Lesley Hay - The greetings, checkin, registration, hospitality, lunch, organization generally were smooth and excellent. Better than other dioceses actually! I was glad to be there as a visitor, supporting Grace Molokai.

anon - All-in-all The Convention 57 was a very successful event! Mahalo to all that made this possible. I think we are ready for the May 2026 Election of a New Bishop event!

Thank you
anon - A huge Mahalo and Congratulations to the Support Staff of the Diocese! They are an awesome and amazing group of people who coordinating a challenging and very successful and meaningful event!

Preston Lentz - very much I appreciate all the time everybody (known and unknown) at the Diocesan Support Center spent over the past several months preparing for Convention. All this in addition to responding to the unceasing calls, emails, and events from all of us. One and all, individually and collectively, have been gracious and patient without fail.

Peter Wu - Anon - A special call from a retired Vocational Deacon:

"Food Insecurity" in Hawaii is a problem on all our islands during this financial hard time and need our immediate attention as a diocese. We are glad some of our churches are serving the communities or donating to some of the non-profit organizations such as the Hawaii Food Bank, IHS, Wally House and A Cup of Cold Water. We need to do more.

Calling for those that are with Deacon Heart to join our team to be Vocational Deacon. As a Diocese, our vision and hope are to have a deacon serving in every congregation. There is nothing more rewarding than serving God for free!

Misc
Beth Young - I appreciated all the positive and welcoming people at the Annual Meeting. As a 'first-timer,' I felt very supported.
Jenn Latham - I enjoyed catching up with friends and colleagues after the day and sharing stories.
Anonymous (alison) - The food and fellowship were great. The service was well done.
Jazzy - Though I didn't use child care I SO appreciate the option.