About Ascension · Puako, Hawaii
Ascension Mission Catholic Church (Hawaiian: Kalikonani Church of the Ascension) is a small Catholic mission set along the Kohala coastline in the village of Puako on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. It is a dependent mission of Annunciation Catholic Church in nearby Kamuela (Waimea) and is served by the same pastor and parish staff. Within the Diocese of Honolulu, the mission gathers Sunday worshippers in a strikingly round church building that was designed and largely hand-crafted by a Maryknoll missionary priest. Locals call the cluster of faith communities Annunciation/Ascension Parish, and together they make up one Catholic parish in two houses of worship serving the South Kohala region.
- Patron
- The Ascension of the Lord
- Rector
- Rev. Hai (Francis) Pham
- Diocese
- Diocese of Honolulu
Why belong here
Ascension Mission offers what most larger parishes cannot: a small, intimate Sunday gathering of faith set directly on Hawaiʻi's Kohala coast. The mission is part of a unified parish family with Annunciation Catholic Church in Waimea, so worshippers share the same pastor (Fr. Hai 'Francis' Pham), the same religious education program, and the same outreach ministries — including a food pantry coordinated by Ann Lum. Active parishioners are invited to help keep the church grounds clean and to grow through the parish's RCIA/OCIA process, faith formation for all ages, and stewardship renewal. It is a place where residents, part-time kamaʻāina, and visitors worship together in a uniquely hand-crafted round church by the sea.
Mass times at Ascension
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 5:00 – 5:30 PM
Adoration times
- Wednesday 5:00 – 6:00 PM (Benediction at 5:45 PM)
About Ascension Mission Catholic Church
Ascension Mission Catholic Church — Hawaiian: Kalikonani Church of the Ascension — is a small Catholic mission on the Kohala Coast of Hawaiʻi Island, set along Puako Beach Drive in the village of Puako. It is one of two worship sites of the same parish family, the other being Annunciation Catholic Church in Kamuela (Waimea). Together they are described by the parish as 'one Catholic parish, two houses of worship.'
- Kalikonani Church of the Ascension Mission, Puako
- 69-1789 Puako Beach Drive #77, Puako, HI 96743
- Mailing: P.O. Box 301, Kamuela, HI 96743
- Diocese of Honolulu, Vicariate of West Hawaiʻi
- Dependent mission of Annunciation Parish, Kamuela
History
Catholic life in South Kohala dates to the mission era of the 1840s, and the Annunciation/Ascension parish family has served the Waimea–Puako area since. The present Ascension Mission building in Puako is the work of Maryknoll Father Joseph W. Matheis (1928–2002), who designed the round church and helped build and furnish it with original metal and woodwork while pastor of Annunciation Parish. Father Matheis was a Kentucky-born priest and lifelong craftsman who also made elegantly shaped tables from tree stumps. He and fellow priest Father Louis 'Harry' Yim later traveled to Micronesia searching for the gravesite of Hawaiʻi's first vicar apostolic. In late 1965, Father Vincent Robert Capodanno — the Maryknoll Navy chaplain and Servant of God whose cause for beatification is open — briefly assisted Father Matheis here before deploying to Vietnam.
- Round church designed/built by Fr. Joseph W. Matheis, MM (1928–2002)
- Original metalwork and woodwork by the pastor himself
- Fr. Vincent Capodanno assisted here in late 1965 (baptism recorded Christmas Day 1965)
- Pastoral succession shared with Annunciation Parish, Kamuela
Clergy and Staff
Ascension Mission is shepherded by the pastor and staff of Annunciation Parish. The current pastor is Fr. Hai 'Francis' Pham, supported by an office manager, a religious education coordinator, and an outreach coordinator.
- Rev. Hai (Francis) Pham — Pastor
- Mary Erickson — Office Manager
- Jane Aganus — Religious Education
- Ann Lum — Outreach / Food Pantry
Sacraments
The parish family prepares and welcomes Catholics and seekers for the full sacramental life. Adults who need to complete Confirmation, First Holy Communion, or Marriage Convalidation are personally invited by Fr. Francis to phone the parish office and set an appointment.
- Baptism — request submitted via the parish office
- First Holy Communion
- Confirmation (including for adult parishioners)
- Marriage and Marriage Convalidation
- RCIA / OCIA — becoming Catholic for adults and families
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith formation for both children and adults is coordinated across the parish family by Jane Aganus. Programs include ongoing religious education and the parish's RCIA/OCIA process for those seeking to enter the Catholic Church.
- Faith Formation / Religious Education for children and adults
- RCIA / OCIA (Rite/Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Family catechesis and sacramental preparation
Ministries and Parish Life
Parishioners at Ascension Mission are invited into the full life of Annunciation Parish. From liturgical service to outreach, youth to seniors, the parish emphasizes that 'everyone has a place.'
- Choir & Music Ministry
- Knights of Columbus
- Men's Groups
- Outreach / Food Pantry (Ann Lum)
- Stewardship Renewal (annual)
- Volunteer grounds care at the Puako mission
Outreach and Charitable Works
The parish operates an Outreach and Food Pantry program under coordinator Ann Lum, serving neighbors in need across the South Kohala region.
- Food Pantry
- Resources for help: shelter, unplanned pregnancy, immigration, senior services
- Pastoral outreach to homebound and isolated parishioners
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Joseph W. Matheis, MM
Maryknoll Father (1928–2002) who designed and helped build and furnish the round Ascension Mission Church with original metal and woodwork while serving as pastor of Annunciation Parish.
- Rev. Tony Pangan
Pastor during the COVID-19 era; noted by the parish office manager for welcoming back many returning parishioners (Hawaii Catholic Herald, 2021).
- Rev. Stephen Macedo
Listed as Associate Pastor in recent parish directory data.
- Rev. Hai (Francis) Pham
Current pastor of Annunciation Parish and its dependent Ascension Mission in Puako.