About Holy Trinity · Honolulu, Hawaii
Holy Trinity Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Honolulu located in the East Honolulu neighborhood of Kuliouou on the island of O'ahu, Hawai'i, at 5919 Kalanianaole Highway (Route 72). The parish serves the East O'ahu communities from Wailupe to Makapu'u Lighthouse and is pastored by a Capuchin Franciscan priest. The parish describes itself as a vibrant, welcoming, stewardship-oriented community whose mission is 'to make Christ known to the world through Word, Sacrament, Prayer and Service.'
- Established
- 1939
- Patron
- Holy Trinity
- Rector
- Rev. Michel W. Dalton, OFM Cap.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Honolulu
Why belong here
Holy Trinity offers a full sacramental life in a small, welcoming East O'ahu community — weekend and weekday Masses, Saturday confessions, First Friday adoration, and a Healing Mass. A wide range of lay-led ministries (lectors, Eucharistic ministers, music, religious education, a New Parishioners Committee, a Stewardship Committee, a Charismatic Prayer Group, and more) make it easy to plug in. The parish emphasizes stewardship and hospitality, with over 100 parishioners now wearing nametags at Mass as a visible sign that anyone can ask how to get involved.
Mass times at Holy Trinity
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
- Also by appointment
Adoration times
- First Friday of the Month: Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament after Mass
About Holy Trinity Catholic Church
Holy Trinity Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Honolulu located in the East Honolulu neighborhood of Kuliouou on the island of O'ahu. It serves the East O'ahu communities from Wailupe to Makapu'u Lighthouse along Kalanianaole Highway (Route 72). The parish describes itself as a welcoming stewardship community whose mission is 'to make Christ known to the world through Word, Sacrament, Prayer and Service,' and whose vision is 'to be a welcoming parish committed to serving others.' The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, and can be reached at (808) 396-0551 or [email protected].
- Address: 5919 Kalanianaole Highway, Honolulu, HI 96821
- Phone: (808) 396-0551
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.holytrinitychurchhi.org
- Emergency line (after hours): (808) 772-2422
- Vicariate: East Honolulu
History of the Parish
The parish traces its roots to 1938, when the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts (SS.CC.) purchased land in East Honolulu for a new church. The resulting Blessed Trinity Chapel was dedicated on January 8, 1939, and served as a mission of St. Patrick's Church in Kaimuki. In 1944, Holy Trinity became an independent parish with Fr. James Beynes, SS.CC., as its first pastor.
- 1938 — Land purchased by the Sacred Hearts Congregation
- January 8, 1939 — Blessed Trinity Chapel dedicated as a mission of St. Patrick's, Kaimuki
- 1944 — Holy Trinity becomes an independent parish; Fr. James Beynes, SS.CC., first pastor
The 1958 Church Building
By the late 1950s, the original chapel could no longer accommodate the growing East O'ahu Catholic community. A new basilica-type church was designed by architect George McLaughlin and dedicated by Bishop James J. Sweeny on December 21, 1958.
- Architect: George McLaughlin
- Architectural type: Basilica plan
- Dedicated December 21, 1958 by Bishop James J. Sweeny
Stations of the Cross and Tabernacle Stained Glass
The parish's most distinctive liturgical artwork is the Stations of the Cross, created by parishioners Marcel and Helene Cailliet using the gesso medium — a technique of the 15th and 16th centuries. The fourteen stations are arranged in a triangle format symbolizing the parish's patron, the Holy Trinity. A later renovation in the late 1990s added a new stained-glass window above the tabernacle depicting nature, 'God's first creation.'
- Stations of the Cross by Marcel and Helene Cailliet, in gesso
- Arranged in a triangle symbolizing the Holy Trinity
- Stained-glass window above the tabernacle depicting nature — added in late-1990s renovation
Clergy and Staff
The parish is led by a Capuchin Franciscan pastor and supported by a team of permanent deacons and lay staff. The Diocese of Honolulu's directory lists the parish under the East Honolulu Vicariate, with Bishop Larry Silva as diocesan ordinary.
- Rev. Michel W. Dalton, OFM Cap. — Pastor
- Deacon Stephen Kula — Active Ministry
- Deacon Fernando Ona (per parish bulletins)
- Mary Vrabel — Office Coordinator
- Patricia Nevada — Religious Education Coordinator
- Diocesan Bishop: Larry Silva
Mission and Vision
The parish's mission is 'to make Christ known to the world through Word, Sacrament, Prayer and Service,' and its vision is 'to be a welcoming parish committed to serving others.' A fuller mission statement adds: 'The Mission of Holy Trinity Catholic Church is to be one with each other and with Christ in the Father so that the Holy Spirit may make Christ known to the world in us through Word and Sacrament, Prayer and Service.'
- Mission: Make Christ known to the world through Word, Sacrament, Prayer and Service
- Vision: To be a welcoming parish committed to serving others
- Identity: A Stewardship Parish
Stewardship and Parish Life
Holy Trinity identifies as 'A Stewardship Parish.' Under the leadership of Capuchin Franciscan Fr. Michel Dalton, the parish has renewed its emphasis on inviting parishioners to share their time, talent, and treasure. Visible signs of this stewardship push include nametags for ushers and other ministers (over 100 parishioners now wear nametags at Mass) and a strengthened New Parishioners Committee that meets with newcomers, shares their stories, tours the church, and introduces them to ministry leaders.
- Stewardship Committee coordinates recruitment and formation
- Nametags for ushers and ministers to welcome newcomers
- New Parishioners Committee meets and onboards new families
- Parish app and website maintained by lay volunteers
- St. Francis of Assisi Blessing of the Pets (annual)
Parish Ministries and Groups
The parish supports a broad range of lay-led ministries spanning liturgy, formation, fellowship, and outreach. Parish bulletins from 2019 list Lector, Eucharistic Minister, Choir, Religious Education, Altar Servers, a Charismatic Prayer Group, a Support Group, and a Cancer Support Group among the active groups. More recent reporting has highlighted the Reliquary Committee and food drives for moms and babies.
- Liturgical: Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers/Greeters, Choir, Altar Servers
- Formation: Religious Education and Confirmation class for high-school students
- Prayer: Charismatic Prayer Group, Respect Life Rosary, Healing Mass
- Pastoral Care: Cancer Support Group, Support Group, New Parishioners Committee
- Stewardship: Stewardship Committee, parish app/website team
- Outreach: Food drives, baby-supplies for moms and babies, human trafficking awareness workshop
Faith Formation and Sacraments
Religious Education at Holy Trinity is coordinated by Patricia Nevada, with classes for children and a Confirmation class for high-school students. Sacramental preparation includes First Communion and Confirmation, and Reconciliation is available Saturdays and by appointment. The parish also celebrates a Healing Mass periodically and offers Anointing of the Sick through that liturgy.
- Religious Education Coordinator: Patricia Nevada ([email protected])
- First Communion preparation
- Confirmation class for high-school students
- Reconciliation: Saturdays 9:00–10:00 AM and by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick / Healing Mass
Relics and Devotions
Pastor Fr. Michel Dalton maintains a personal collection of holy relics. Parishioners organized the construction of a proper reliquary inside the church, and an informational brochure has been produced detailing each relic. The parish also keeps an active Franciscan character through annual devotions such as the St. Francis of Assisi Blessing of the Pets.
- In-church reliquary housing the pastor's holy relic collection
- Informational brochure detailing each relic
- Annual Blessing of the Pets on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi
- Stations of the Cross (Holy Week)
- Healing Mass
- Charismatic Prayer Group gatherings
Outreach and Community Service
Parish outreach under Fr. Dalton's pastorate includes food drives, baby-supply collections for mothers and their infants, and a workshop raising awareness of human trafficking. A diocesan Catholic Herald feature highlighted Holy Trinity's 'walk with moms and babies' ministry as a tangible expression of parish stewardship.
- Food drives for families in need
- Baby-supplies support for new mothers
- Human trafficking awareness workshop
- Cancer Support Group
Visiting and Contact
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed at Holy Trinity. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM; the parish phone is (808) 396-0551, and the general email is [email protected]. After-hours emergencies can be directed to (808) 772-2422. The parish sits on Kalanianaole Highway (Route 72) in Kuliouou.
- Office: 5919 Kalanianaole Highway, Honolulu, HI 96821
- Phone: (808) 396-0551
- Fax: (808) 396-1380
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Emergency line: (808) 772-2422
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. James Beynes, SS.CC.1944–
First pastor when Holy Trinity became an independent parish in 1944; member of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts.