About Mary, Star of the Sea · Honolulu, Hawaii
Mary, Star of the Sea Parish is a Catholic parish in the Waialae-Kahala district of East Honolulu, Hawaii, under the Diocese of Honolulu. The parish was established on June 20, 1946, by Bishop James J. Sweeney, the first bishop of Honolulu, and was originally staffed by the Marist Fathers and Brothers. Since 2004 the parish has been administered by the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament (SSS) from the Philippines. Today the parish offers daily and Sunday Mass in English (with Cantonese ministry served by a chaplain), a Catholic school and early learning center on a 14-acre campus, Eucharistic adoration, RCIA, CCD/religious education, and a full Cantonese-community apostolate.
- Established
- 1946
- Patron
- Mary, Star of the Sea (Blessed Virgin Mary under the title 'Stella Maris')
- Rector
- Rev. Francisco "Fr. Frankie" de los Reyes, SSS
- Diocese
- Diocese of Honolulu (Vicariate: East Honolulu)
Why belong here
Mary, Star of the Sea is a long-established East Honolulu parish with a 75-plus-year history, daily Eucharist, perpetual-style Eucharistic adoration, and a full sacramental and faith-formation life — RCIA, CCD for children, Confirmation preparation, adult Confirmation review, and a dedicated Cantonese-community chaplaincy. A Catholic K-8 school and Early Learning Center share the 14-acre Waialae-Kahala campus, and the parish serves a culturally diverse community with English and Cantonese ministry, daily Morning Prayer and Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, and regular devotions to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.
Mass times at Mary, Star of the Sea
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 5:05 PM – 5:30 PM, daily (except Sunday); call the parish office (808-734-0396) for appointments
Adoration times
- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: 4:00 p.m. daily
- Vespers: 4:30 p.m. daily
- Adoration: Friday 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (only the 1st Friday of each month)
Parish Identity & Mission
Mary, Star of the Sea Parish describes itself as a community called to give 'love, direction, and support to all members of our community as we seek ways to follow Christ in our quest for eternal life.' The parish believes it must evangelize, exclude none, communicate openly, show compassion and mercy to all, and follow Mary — its 'HOKU' (Hawaiian for 'star') — as she leads it in mission. The parish falls under the Diocese of Honolulu's East Honolulu Vicariate.
- Diocese of Honolulu — East Honolulu Vicariate
- Cantonese and English ministry
- Mission rooted in the Eucharistic charism of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament (SSS)
History of the Parish
Star of the Sea was established June 20, 1946, by Bishop James J. Sweeney on the site of a former Japanese Language School in east Honolulu and was staffed by the Marist Fathers and Brothers. The first Mass was celebrated Aug. 25, 1946, and the parish school opened Sept. 3, 1946. The Marists administered the parish until 2004; from 2006 the parish has been served by the Philippine Province of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. On Jan. 1, 2016 Bishop Larry Silva officially prefixed 'Mary' to the parish and school names. The 75th anniversary was marked in August 2022.
- Founded June 20, 1946 by Bishop James J. Sweeney, first Bishop of Honolulu
- First pastor: Father Edward H. Donze, SM (assisted by Father John J. Dallas, SM)
- Marist administration 1946–2004 (last Marist pastor: Father John Sullivan)
- SSS / POLA Philippine Province took over; first SSS pastor Father Mark del Rosario, installed April 8, 2006
- Name changed to 'Mary, Star of the Sea' on January 1, 2016
- 75th anniversary celebrated August 2022 with Mass and time capsule
Clergy, Religious & Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Father Francisco 'Fr. Frankie' de los Reyes, SSS, with Father Paterno B. Labasano, SSS as Parochial Vicar. Father Robert 'Bob' Stark, SSS is in residence. The Cantonese community is served by chaplain Rev. Dong Minh (Paul) Li and Deacon Rafael Mendoza serves in active ministry. Brother Salvador Yanzon, SSS coordinates Outreach. Lay staff includes the parish secretary, business manager, religious education coordinator, youth minister, facilities manager, sacristan, and the RCIA and CCD coordinators.
- Pastor: Fr. Francisco 'Fr. Frankie' de los Reyes, SSS
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Paterno B. Labasano, SSS
- In Residence: Fr. Bob Stark, SSS
- Cantonese Chaplain: Fr. Dong Minh (Paul) Li
- Deacon Rafael Mendoza
- Brother Salvador Yanzon, SSS — Outreach
- Youth & Young Adult Minister: Karen Loebl
- Religious Education Coordinator: Eliane Kuo
Mass & Liturgical Schedule
The parish offers a robust daily and Sunday Mass schedule. Daily Mass is celebrated Monday through Friday at 6:30 AM and again at 5:30 PM, with a 7:30 AM Mass on Saturday and a 5:30 PM Saturday Vigil. Six Sunday Masses are celebrated — 6:30 AM, 8:15 AM, 10:15 AM, and 5:30 PM in English, plus an 11:45 AM Mass in Cantonese. The Diocese also lists a Cantonese-language Sunday Mass option.
- Sunday: 6:30, 8:15, 10:15, 11:45 (Cantonese), 5:30 PM
- Saturday Vigil: 5:30 PM; Saturday morning: 7:30 AM
- Mon–Fri: 6:30 AM and 5:30 PM
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation spans the whole parish life. The K–8 Religious Education (CCD) program — staffed by volunteers formed in faith and love of children — prepares children for First Communion and other sacraments, drawing on Matthew 28:20. Confirmation preparation is offered for students in grades 9–12, and a separate 4-week Adult Confirmation review series brings practicing Catholics who have not yet been confirmed to the same Confirmation liturgy as the youth. Liturgy of the Word for Children is celebrated during the 8:15 and 10:15 AM Sunday Masses, sending children ages 3 to 10 to hear the readings at their own level before returning for the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
- CCD / Religious Education for grades K–8 (First Communion prep)
- High-school Confirmation (grades 9–12)
- Adult Confirmation 4-week series
- Liturgy of the Word for Children at 8:15 and 10:15 AM Sunday Masses
- Volunteer catechists welcomed
RCIA — Becoming Catholic
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is offered each year from September to Easter, with weekly classes. RCIA welcomes the unbaptized seeking to become Catholic, Christians of other denominations preparing for full communion, and adults seeking to learn more about the Catholic faith — including those in interfaith marriages. Teenagers mature enough to participate are also welcome. Sponsors are needed from the parish community.
- Annual program, September to Easter
- Weekly classes at the parish
- Welcomes catechumens, candidates, and ecumenical inquirers
- Sponsor ministry needed
Sacrament Preparation & Other Sacraments
Baptismal instruction is offered eight times a year for parents, with three required Thursday-evening group sessions (7:00–8:30 PM) at the Pastoral Life Center Meeting Room. Godparents are strongly encouraged to attend. Baptisms are celebrated during Sunday Mass so the community can welcome the child. Children age 7 and above prepare for Baptism through the RCIA adapted for children.
- Baptism: 8 instruction cycles per year; 3 Thursday-evening sessions for parents
- Baptisms at Sunday Mass; older children via adapted RCIA
- Holy Orders, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick: contact the parish office
Mary, Star of the Sea School
Mary, Star of the Sea School is a private Catholic K–8 elementary and middle school serving students of all denominations. Accredited by WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) and WCEA (Western Catholic Education Association), the school provides a faith-enriched, learner-centered education on a 14-acre campus in the foothills of Waialae-Kahala. The campus features low student-teacher ratios, fully air-conditioned classrooms, a gymnasium, a learning commons, art studio, technology and science labs, and a wide range of extracurriculars. The school is accompanied by a Mary, Star of the Sea Early Learning Center.
- Catholic K–8 school, WASC and WCEA accredited
- Located on a 14-acre campus in Waialae-Kahala
- Mary, Star of the Sea Early Learning Center on the same campus
- Founded by the parish and Diocese in 1946; staffed originally by six Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur
Cantonese Community Ministry
Mary, Star of the Sea serves a vibrant Cantonese-speaking community in Honolulu. The diocese lists Chinese (Cantonese) among the parish's liturgical languages, and the Cantonese apostolate is supported by a dedicated chaplain, Rev. Dong Minh (Paul) Li. A Cantonese-language Sunday Mass is celebrated at 11:45 AM.
- Cantonese Sunday Mass at 11:45 AM
- Cantonese Community Chaplain: Fr. Dong Minh (Paul) Li
Parish Outreach
Outreach is coordinated by Brother Salvador Yanzon, SSS, and is one of the parish's stated missions — to evangelize, 'exclude none,' and 'show compassion and mercy to all.' The parish partners with Catholic Charities and shares the Blessed Sacrament Fathers' Eucharistic-centered charism by bearing visible witness to service in the Waialae-Kahala community.
- Outreach coordinated by Bro. Salvador Yanzon, SSS
- Collaboration with diocesan Catholic Charities
Practical Information
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish by phone at 808-734-0396 or by email at [email protected]. The rectory/parish office and church are located at 4470 Aliikoa Street in Honolulu, on the same 14-acre footprint as the K–8 school and Early Learning Center in the East Honolulu/Waialae-Kahala area. Online giving and bulletins are coordinated through the parish website and the Diocese of Honolulu portal.
- Address: 4470 Aliikoa Street, Honolulu, HI 96821
- Phone: 808-734-0396
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: staroftheseahonolulu.com
- Diocese giving portal: catholichawaii.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Edward H. Donze, SM1946–
First pastor of Star of the Sea Parish, assisted by Father John J. Dallas, SM.
- Rev. John J. Dallas, SM1946–
Assisted the first pastor from the parish's founding under the Marist Fathers.
- Rev. John Sullivan, SMuntil 2004
Last Marist pastor; left the parish in 2004 when administration passed to the Blessed Sacrament Fathers (SSS).
- Rev. Mark del Rosario, SSSinstalled April 8, 2006
First pastor from the Philippine Province of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament (SSS/POLA).
- Rev. Francisco de los Reyes, SSS ("Fr. Frankie")present
Current pastor; also referenced as current parish priest in the Blessed Sacrament Philippine Province Update #21.