About Annunciation · Waimea, Hawaii
Annunciation Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Waimea (Kamuela) on the Big Island of Hawaii, part of the Diocese of Honolulu and within the West Hawaii Vicariate. The parish also shepherds Ascension Mission (Kalikonani) in the coastal village of Puako, so the single parish encompasses two houses of worship. Drawing on the motto 'One Catholic Parish, Two Houses of Worship,' Annunciation offers daily noon Mass, weekend Masses in English and Hawaiian at both sites, Eucharistic Adoration, confession, RCIA, faith formation for children and adults, and a wide array of liturgical and outreach ministries. The parish is widely described by parishioners as an active 'ohana' (family), grounded in stewardship, hospitality, and service to the wider Waimea community.
- Patron
- The Annunciation of the Lord (Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. Hai (Francis) Pham
- Diocese
- Diocese of Honolulu (Vicariate: West Hawaii)
Why belong here
Annunciation Catholic Church welcomes anyone seeking the Lord into a parish family that lives its faith through visible, hands-on stewardship. Worshippers can attend daily noon Mass, weekend Masses at the Waimea church and at Ascension Mission in Puako, Eucharistic Adoration with Benediction on Fridays, and regular confession. Members grow through Faith Formation for children and adults, RCIA, the Knights of Columbus, the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary, music ministry, and outreach to kupuna (elders) and families in need. It is a parish where, as parishioners put it, 'stewardship and faith are blended right into the daily mix of life.'
Mass times at Annunciation
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday 9:00 AM – 11:45 AM (with Adoration; Benediction 11:45 AM)
- Friday 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM
- Wednesday 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM
- Also by appointment
Adoration times
- Friday 9:00 AM – 12:00 noon (Benediction 11:45 AM)
- First Friday of each month after the 12:00 PM Mass
About Annunciation Catholic Church
Annunciation Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Waimea (Kamuela) on the Big Island of Hawaii, under the Diocese of Honolulu and the West Hawaii Vicariate. Together with Ascension Mission (Kalikonani) in Puako, the parish is presented as 'One Catholic Parish, Two Houses of Worship.' The parish is described on its own site as having been 'a place of prayer, sacrament, and belonging for generations — welcoming all who seek the Lord,' with a particular emphasis on stewardship and the active participation of its 'ohana' (family).
History
The parish's predecessor organization, listed as 'Waimea Catholic Church' under the name Annunciation Church, was granted IRS tax-exempt status in March 1946. Over the decades it has grown into a multi-site parish serving both the ranch town of Waimea/Kamuela and the coastal community of Puako through Ascension Mission. Father Anthony 'Tony' Pangan, SSS was assigned as administrator in July 2020 and incardinated into the Diocese of Honolulu on January 30, 2024, at which time he became pastor. In May 2024 Bishop Larry Silva announced that Father Arnel Soriano would become the next pastor; the current diocesan parish listing shows Rev. Hai (Francis) Pham as pastor.
Pastor History
A succession of priests who have served Annunciation Church in recent years, drawn from the Diocese of Honolulu's priest assignment announcements and the Hawaii Catholic Herald.
- Rev. Anthony 'Tony' Pangan, SSS — Administrator from July 2020; incardinated into the Diocese of Honolulu on January 30, 2024, becoming pastor; later reassigned to St. Anthony Church in Kailua in 2024.
- Rev. Arnel Soriano — Announced May 2024 as incoming pastor of Annunciation Church in Waimea; previously pastor of St. Theresa Church in Kihei, Maui.
- Rev. Hai (Francis) Pham — Current pastor per the diocesan parish page.
Faith Formation
Faith Formation is described by the parish as 'how a person lives and grows in Faith,' beginning at baptism and continuing through life. Programs are offered for both children and adults.
- Faith Formation for children and youth
- Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA / OCIA) — becoming Catholic
- Pre-Baptismal Catechesis for parents
- Adult faith formation and ongoing conversion
Marriage and Family Life
Annunciation supports couples and families through marriage preparation and enrichment, Natural Family Planning resources, communication workshops, parenting programs, and outreach to those whose marriages have ended. Families are encouraged to see themselves as the 'domestic church' supported by family prayer and devotions.
Liturgical Ministries
Lay faithful assist at Mass through a full slate of liturgical roles, with both training and ongoing support from the parish.
- Altar Servers
- Choir & Music Ministry (practices Wednesday evenings; contact Lisa Wells)
- Environment Ministry (seasonal décor for Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Ordinary Time)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Lectors
- Ministry to the Sick and Homebound
- Sacristans
- Ushers
Music Ministry
The Music Ministry welcomes singers and instrumentalists of all skill levels to enhance the parish's liturgical celebrations. The choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings; those interested are encouraged to contact the parish office or Music Ministry coordinator Lisa Wells.
Outreach and Service Ministries
Stewardship — sharing time, talent, and treasure — is a central theme of the parish. Annunciation runs a Food Pantry every Tuesday and supports kupuna, the bereaved, and those in crisis through volunteer-led ministries.
- Food Pantry (Tuesdays 9–11 AM, shoppers and volunteers needed)
- Giving Tree (Christmas gifts for those in need)
- Respect Life (advocacy, pregnancy center support, Project Rachel referrals)
- JOY (Just Older Youth) Kupuna Ministry — chores, companionship, transportation for elders
- Prayer Blanket Ministry — sewn/knitted/crocheted blankets prayed over at Mass and delivered to hospitals
- Prayer Warriors
- Crisis Intervention
- New Parishioner Welcome Ministry
Parish Organizations and Devotional Groups
Several long-standing organizations bring parishioners together around faith, fellowship, and service.
- Knights of Columbus — Catholic men 18+ committed to leadership, service, and protection of the faith and family
- Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary
- Bereavement Ministry — funeral planning and family support
- Stewardship Council — advises the pastor on promoting the Stewardship Way of Life
- Pastoral Council
Parish Operations and Facilities
Behind the scenes, parishioners help run the parish through finance, building, and grounds ministries. The parish maintains its own cemetery at Church Row in Waimea.
- Finance Council — advises pastor on financial matters, meets quarterly
- Building & Maintenance Committee
- Cemetery Maintenance — Church Row, Waimea; monthly mowing and trimming
- Collection Counters — Mondays, every 4 months
- Church Cleaners — Waimea once a month; Puako twice a month plus weekly restroom cleaning
- Hall Cleaners — twice a month for parish hall and old church building
- Tech Ministry
Parish Pastoral Plan
The Annunciation Parish Pastoral Plan is a five-year plan developed by the Pastoral Council with input from the parish community. The current plan (2022–2026) is published as a downloadable PDF on the parish announcements page.
Locations and Contact
Annunciation Catholic Church is located on Kawaihae Road in Kamuela (Waimea), and Ascension Mission is in Puako. Parish office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Visitors and new parishioners are warmly welcomed, with a New Parishioner Welcome Ministry organizing monthly hospitality Sundays.
- Annunciation Catholic Church — 65-1235 Kawaihae Rd, Kamuela (Waimea), HI 96743
- Ascension Mission — 69-1789 Puako Beach Drive, Puako, HI 96743
- Phone: (808) 887-1220
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Hai (Francis) Pham
Current pastor per the Diocese of Honolulu parish page; ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Larry Silva on May 24, 2024, and initially assigned as parochial vicar of Sacred Heart Church in Honolulu before his assignment to Annunciation.
- Rev. Arnel Soriano
Announced in May 2024 as incoming pastor of Annunciation Church in Waimea; previously pastor of St. Theresa Church in Kihei, Maui.
- Rev. Anthony 'Tony' Pangan, SSSJuly 2020 – c. 2024
Former Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament priest from Manila; served as administrator of Annunciation from July 2020 and was incardinated into the Diocese of Honolulu on January 30, 2024, at which time he became pastor; subsequently reassigned in 2024 to St. Anthony Church in Kailua.