Saying Aloha to a "Dynamic Duo" & The Cathedral's Newest Honorary Canons

[June 11, 2026]  Tears were flowing and lei piling up on the Diocese of Hawai'i's "dynamic duo," the Rev. Canon Sandy Graham and the Very Rev. Heather Patton-Graham, following a special farewell service held on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at The Cathedral of St. Andrew.

Although the evening service was announced with little lead time, the pews were filled, the atmosphere somber, but the feeling of love and aloha for Sandy and Heather were palpable, as folks prepared to say good-bye to two of the Diocese's most outstanding clergy. ​

The Very Rev. Heather Patton-Graham, Dean of the Cathedral, and the Rev. Canon Sandy Graham, Canon to the Bishop, served in two of the top clergy positions in the Diocese (second only to the Bishop).  For years, many did not realize that they were a married couple, a testament to their professionalism. Heather started off as a chaplain at 'Iolani School, before becoming chaplain at St. Andrew's Schools and a priest at the Cathedral. She would eventually become the Provost and then Dean. Sandy, with title changes and responsibilities juggled throughout the years, was always at the right hand of the Bishop, making sure events, activities, clergy and congregations were well looked after.  Through transitions, church conflicts, emergencies, and natural disasters, Sandy was in the middle of it all, forced to rack up the miles on Hawaiian Airlines. Their home life had to have been one for the books! ​

One thing is certain; they have both served the Diocese faithfully and with an impeccable record of accomplishments over the past ten years.  Both are beloved in the Diocese by colleagues and laity, and for Heather, her students as well. Sandy even gave a kidney to a fellow staff member not long after arriving in Hawai'i. Now that doesn't happen very often! With their absence, the Diocese, and especially the Bishop and staffs of both the Cathedral and Diocesan Support Center, will feel the tremendous loss and weight of all that they did.

In his sermon, Bishop Bob eloquently shared the impact they had in the Diocese, performing without fanfare, but always with results. In a voice full of emotion that nearly cracked several times, he expressed just how much they meant to him.

"I am grieving."

Many of us are.

​Of late, the Bishop has been referring to Ecclesiastes 3:1-4, that works well with the theme of "transitions."  It is also the theme for this year's Convention 58 in October — "For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven."  The full Scripture offers us hope, acceptance, and healing through life's inevitable and unending transitions.

"The beauty of two people who gave themselves to this place, to this diocese, who gave themselves to this bishop, to me, we are now giving to others," said the Bishop.

He then announced that he would be making them Honorary Canons of The Cathedral, explaining that the word canon means a measuring rod, a standard.

"We give this title because these two have been for this Diocese and for this Cathedral, the measuring rod of a faithful ministry well shared and well loved."

​Please take time to listen to the Bishop's sermon that can be viewed in the full service above, beginning at 25 min:35 sec.

Following the service, folks waited in long lines to greet and give lei, and a reception was held in the Von Holt Room.



Mahalo & Aloha Sandy & Heather!






​


Reporting: Sybil Nishioka
(Photos: S. Nishioka and The Cathedral Facebook page)