About Maria Lanakila · Lahaina, Hawaii
Maria Lanakila Catholic Church is the historic Catholic parish of Lahaina on the island of Maui, Hawaii — a parish of the Diocese of Honolulu whose name means 'Our Lady of Victory.' Established in 1846 by Father Aubert Bouillon of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and dedicated on September 8, 1858, it serves around 4,000 registered parishioners from its Waineʻe Street location and the Sacred Hearts Mission Church in nearby Kapalua. The parish runs Sacred Hearts School (founded 1862), a full religious education and sacramental preparation program, RCIA, youth ministry, and various lay ministries, and is currently pastored by Missionaries of Faith Father Kuriakose Nadooparambil. After miraculously surviving the August 8, 2023 Lahaina wildfire, the church was rededicated in December 2024 and continues its ministries of word, worship, and service on the western coast of Maui.
- Established
- 1846
- Patron
- Mary, Our Lady of Victory (Maria Lanakila)
- Rector
- Rev. Kuriakose Nadooparambil, MF (Missionaries of Faith)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Honolulu
Why belong here
Maria Lanakila is one of the oldest continuously active Catholic parishes in Hawaii, serving about 4,000 registered families across West Maui from its historic Waineʻe Street church in Lahaina and the Sacred Hearts Mission Church in Kapalua. Members can choose from a full sacramental life — daily Mass, Reconciliation, Adoration, weekly Vespers, and a Spanish Mass — alongside vibrant ministries such as RCIA, youth and young-adult ministry, children's catechism, the Adult Bible Study, the Altar Server Ministry, and the Missionary Sisters of Faith who accept prayer intentions. The parish also runs the treasured Sacred Hearts School (founded 1862) and supported families throughout the 2023 Lahaina wildfire and its aftermath. Joining Maria Lanakila means worshipping in a stone church whose bells finally reached Maui after two earlier sets were lost or stranded, and belonging to a community that has helped carry the Catholic faith on Maui for 180 years.
Mass times at Maria Lanakila
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday at 3:30 PM (Sacred Hearts Mission Church, Kapalua)
- Saturday at 4:30 PM (Maria Lanakila Church, Lahaina)
- By appointment
Adoration times
- 6:00 PM Vespers and Adoration (livestreamed during the COVID-19 era)
Our History
Maria Lanakila means 'Our Lady of Victory' and stands as one of the earliest Catholic churches on Maui, founded by missionaries from the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. The parish traces its roots to a Mass celebrated in a grass hut on Front Street, Lahaina, on January 25, 1841, with formal establishment following the arrival of Father Aubert Bouillon and his companions on April 21, 1846. A temporary church on the present site was dedicated on September 8, 1858, and the stone church still in use today was completed on May 4, 1873 under Father Léonore. A concrete church structure was built on the original stone foundation during 1927–1928, and the parish holds contributing-property status within the Lahaina Historic District, designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1962.
- 1846 — Fathers Aubert Bouillon, Modeste Favens, Barnabé Castan and Brother John-Marie Gabriac arrive on Maui.
- September 8, 1858 — current site officially dedicated.
- May 4, 1873 — stone church completed under Father Léonore.
- 1918 — Father Bruno renews the original walls.
- 1927–1928 — concrete church built on original foundation.
- 1962 — Lahaina Historic District designated National Historic Landmark.
- August 8, 2023 — Lahaina wildfire destroys most of the town but spares the church.
- December 2024 — Bishop Larry Silva rededicates Maria Lanakila 16 months after the fire.
The Bells and the Paintings
Two of the parish's most storied features are its bells and the paintings inside the church. The first set of bells ordered from France was lost in South America during the voyage; the second set, inscribed 'Maria Lanakila,' ended up in Hilo; only the third set finally made it to Lahaina, where it still calls the faithful to Mass today. Inside, the church's paintings remain something of a mystery — believed by some historians to be gifts of Hawaiian royalty, possibly King Kalākaua or Queen Liliʻuokalani.
- Bells shipped in three tries before arriving from France.
- Historic paintings with possible ties to Hawaiian Alii (Kalākaua / Liliʻuokalani).
Parish Staff and Clergy
The parish is led by Father Kuriakose Nadooparambil, MF, of the Missionaries of Faith, who has served as pastor since around 2020. He is assisted by Parochial Vicar Father Peter Laupapa 'Timoteo' Taufa'asau, MF, and by a large lay staff that coordinates liturgy, religious education, youth and young-adult ministry, outreach, and parish finances. The parish is also served by consecrated women religious — the Missionary Sisters of Faith (smf) — who teach in Sacred Hearts School, help with the religious education program, and accept prayer intentions.
- Pastor: Rev. Kuriakose Nadooparambil, MF (Missionaries of Faith).
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Peter Laupapa 'Timoteo' Taufa'asau, MF.
- Liturgy Coordinator: Filomena Binanua; Coordinator of Liturgy: Howard Lolesio.
- Religious Education: Tonata Lolesio.
- Youth & Young Adult Ministry: Maka Secretario.
- RCIA: Sherlyn Dagdagan.
- Outreach: Michele Rosenthal Leon.
- Parish Secretary: Mary Rosenthal / Filomena Binanua.
- Bookkeeper: Beth Garrow.
- Wedding Facilitator: Helen Nelson ([email protected]).
- Pastoral Council: Ron Baybado.
- Missionary Sisters of Faith: Sr. Roviesa, Sr. Mary (Trang), Sr. Vicky (Vitória Mauu), Sr. Monica (Ja Len).
Sacred Hearts School
Sacred Hearts School, the parish school, was founded in 1862 as Maria Lanakila School — originally two classrooms staffed by the pastor and his assistant, Kilito Mauliawa. Father Raymond Selalande of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts enlarged it into a four-room school in 1870 and is regarded as the school's founder. Beginning in 1928, the Third Order of the Sisters of St. Francis of Syracuse, New York, taught there for 72 years; the Early Learning Center (Ke Kula Kamāliʻi Puʻuwai Lāʻa) opened on the ground floor of the former convent on August 19, 2001, under then-pastor Father Joseph Bukoski. Following the 2023 Lahaina fire, which destroyed the northern wing of the school, the community rapidly relocated to the Sacred Hearts Mission site in Kapalua and then to a temporary campus on Kekaʻa Drive mauka of Kāʻanapali Beach Resort under Principal Tonata Lolesio.
- Founded 1862 as Maria Lanakila School.
- Rebuilt and renamed Sacred Hearts School by Father Raymond Selalande in 1870.
- Franciscan Sisters of Syracuse staffed the school 1928–2000.
- Early Learning Center opened 2001 under Fr. Joseph Bukoski.
- Pre-fire enrollment around 220 students K–8.
- Post-fire relocation to Kapalua and then to a $2.5 million temporary campus in Kāʻanapali.
- Tuition roughly $8,400–$8,900 per year.
Religious Education and Sacramental Preparation
Maria Lanakila runs a full catechetical program for children and adults, coordinated by Tonata Lolesio. Children's catechism classes for First Confession and First Holy Communion run on Sundays during the school year, beginning in September, with snacks, activities, and Children's Liturgy of the Word integrated into the 8:45 AM Mass. Confirmation preparation takes place through the youth ministry on Wednesdays and Sundays, and the parish also offers an Adult Bible Study open to all parishioners. Two years of preparation are required for First Holy Communion.
- Children's catechism — Sundays 8:15 AM–8:45 AM followed by Mass and classes through 10:00 AM.
- First Holy Communion — two-year program.
- Confirmation — Wednesdays and Sundays through youth ministry.
- Adult Bible Study — open to all parishioners.
- Registration begins in September each year.
Becoming Catholic (RCIA / OCIA)
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), now increasingly referenced as OCIA, is the parish's formal process for welcoming new members into the Catholic Church. Modeled on the formation of the earliest Christians in the first and second centuries, the program covers the teachings of the Trinity, the sacraments, and the living of the Catholic faith. RCIA inquiries are coordinated by Sherlyn Dagdagan through the parish office at 808-661-0552.
- Communal process of initiation for unbaptized adults and those seeking full communion.
- Includes study of the Creed, sacraments, and moral life.
- Coordinator: Sherlyn Dagdagan (parish office 808-661-0552).
Youth and Young Adult Ministry
The parish's youth and young-adult ministry, coordinated by Maka Secretario, supports sacramental preparation (especially Confirmation) and faith formation for teens and young adults. Activities include Wednesday and Sunday Confirmation prep sessions, with contact through the parish office. The ministry welcomes anyone interested in joining by calling 808-661-0552.
- Youth Ministry and Young Adult Ministry coordinator: Maka Secretario.
- Wednesday and Sunday Confirmation preparation.
- Outreach collaboration with EPIC Ministry and the Knights of Columbus (post-fire).
Altar Server Ministry
The Altar Server Ministry invites young parishioners who have already received First Holy Communion to assist priests and deacons during Mass and other sacred ceremonies. Training is generally provided once a year, after which servers are scheduled regularly for Mass. The ministry also gathers once a year for an Altar Servers' Appreciation Day with food, games, and fellowship.
- Open to any parishioner who has made First Holy Communion.
- Training once a year.
- Annual appreciation day with games and food.
Missionary Sisters of Faith (smf)
The Missionary Sisters of Faith are consecrated women religious who staff Sacred Hearts School and assist with the parish's religious education program. At the school, Sister Roviesa teaches religion to first-, third-, fourth-, and fifth-graders, while Sister Mary works in the Early Learning Center with three-year-olds and teaches the First Holy Communion class. Sisters Victoria (Sr. Vicky), Ja Len (Sr. Monica), and Mary Trang (Sr. Mary) each contribute to parish life. The sisters accept prayer intentions from parishioners and the wider community, which can be submitted by email or mailed to the parish office.
- Sister Roviesa — religion teacher, Sacred Hearts School.
- Sister Mary (Trang) — Early Learning Center, First Communion class.
- Sister Vicky (Vitória Mauu) — parish staff.
- Sister Monica (Ja Len) — parish staff.
- Prayer intentions accepted by email ([email protected] / [email protected]) or mail.
Pastoral and Finance Councils
Maria Lanakila is governed in part by its Pastoral Council and Finance Council, two lay-led bodies that advise the pastor on the spiritual and temporal life of the parish. The councils reflect the parish's stated self-understanding as 'the Church as one Body with different parts,' collaborating with clergy to discern priorities and steward parish resources.
- Pastoral Council — chaired in current listings by Ron Baybado.
- Finance Council — supports stewardship of parish temporal goods.
Weddings at Maria Lanakila
Couples may marry either at Maria Lanakila in Lahaina or at Sacred Hearts Mission Church in Kapalua. The parish welcomes both parishioners and visitors, with visitor weddings arranged through wedding facilitator Helen Nelson. Couples are invited to contact Helen Nelson at [email protected] to begin planning.
- Two available worship sites: Maria Lanakila (Lahaina) and Sacred Hearts Mission (Kapalua).
- Wedding facilitator: Helen Nelson — [email protected].
Mission Statement
Maria Lanakila Catholic Church describes itself as 'a diverse Catholic parish' that, 'inspired by the Holy Spirit and the example of our patroness, Mary, Our Lady of Victory,' is called to be 'a vibrant voice and beacon for the Catholic faith.' The parish proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and action, living its identity as a historic but still-active community on the west coast of Maui.
- Mission: proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and action.
- Patroness: Mary, Our Lady of Victory (Maria Lanakila).
- Self-described as a 'vibrant voice and beacon for the Catholic faith' on Maui.
Fire Recovery and the Sacred Hearts Mission
After the August 8, 2023 Lahaina wildfire spared the church itself but left the surrounding community devastated, parish life shifted to Sacred Hearts Mission Church at 550 Office Road in Kapalua. Masses, the school, and outreach ministries operated from the mission and adjacent patios for over a year, with the school's principals and staff arranging makeshift classrooms in tents and shared spaces. In December 2024, Bishop Larry Silva rededicated Maria Lanakila Church in Lahaina, and the parish resumed its normal campus life while Sacred Hearts Mission continues to serve as the parish's mission church.
- August 8, 2023 — wildfire spares church, rectory and part of school.
- Parish hub established at Sacred Hearts Mission, Kapalua.
- Sacred Hearts School relocated to Kapalua, then to a $2.5 million temporary campus in Kāʻanapali.
- December 2024 — Bishop Larry Silva rededicates Maria Lanakila.
- Sacred Hearts Mission remains an active worship site for the parish.
Weekly Bulletin and Parish News
The parish maintains an online weekly bulletin archive covering each Sunday of the liturgical year, with announcements, homilies, ministry news, and reflections. Visitors and parishioners can browse recent issues — most recently including Pentecost, the Most Holy Trinity, the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, and Easter Sunday — directly from the parish website.
- Weekly bulletin posted at marialanakila.org/bulletin.
- Covers Ordinary Time, Easter, Pentecost, Trinity, Corpus Christi, and the full liturgical calendar.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Aubert Bouillon, SS.CC.1846–
Founder; arrived on Maui April 21, 1846 with the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.
- Fr. Léonore, SS.CC.by 1873
Completed the stone church building on May 4, 1873.
- Fr. Bruno1918
Renewed the original walls of Maria Lanakila and made enlargements to the stone structure.
- Fr. Rudolph20th century
Renovated the church further, including cleaning and rehanging the historic paintings.
- Fr. Joseph Bukoskiearly 2000s
Pastored during transition; oversaw establishment of the Early Learning Center (opened August 19, 2001).
- Fr. Joseph Pathiyil, MFthrough 2020
Missionaries of Faith pastor during the early COVID-19 period; parish livestreamed daily 7 p.m. Mass and 6 p.m. Vespers/Adoration.
- Rev. Kuriakose Nadooparambil, MF2020–present
Current pastor; born in Kanjirapally, Kerala, India; completed theological studies in Rome.