About St. Anthony of Padua · Kailua, Hawaii
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church is a multicultural Catholic stewardship parish in Kailua, on the windward (eastern) shore of Oahu, Hawaii, one block from world-famous Kailua Beach. Founded in 1933, it belongs to the Diocese of Honolulu and serves both longtime residents and visitors to the Hawaiian Islands. The parish is known for its warm aloha spirit, daily Mass schedule, an attached parish school (PreK–8) opened in 1952, and a robust array of ministries for youth, young adults, families, and those in need across Windward Oahu.
- Established
- 1933
- Patron
- St. Anthony of Padua
- Rector
- Rev. Anthony 'Tony' Pangan
- Diocese
- Diocese of Honolulu (Vicariate: Windward Oahu)
Why belong here
St. Anthony of Padua offers daily and weekend Mass in a setting a block from Kailua Beach, with a multicultural, inclusive community that welcomes both longtime Hawaii residents and visitors. Members find strong support for every life stage: Religious Education for children, Youth Ministry for grades 6–12, the Epic Ministry for young adults (18–39), OCIA for those becoming Catholic, plus Bible studies, women's groups, and small-group fellowship. Outreach runs deep too — a Food Pantry, Thrift Shop, Prison Ministry, Hope Center meals, and Respect Life work let parishioners put faith into action.
Mass times at St. Anthony of Padua
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 pm – 4:30 pm, Day Chapel / Blessed Sacrament Chapel
- By appointment — call the parish office at 808-266-2222
Adoration times
- 1st Friday of the month, 7:00 am (Adoration & Benediction) — schedule listed as '7:00 AM Fri (Only every 1st Fri of the Month)'
About St. Anthony of Padua Parish
St. Anthony of Padua is a Catholic stewardship parish in Kailua on the windward shore of Oahu, one block from Kailua Beach. Founded in 1933, it belongs to the Diocese of Honolulu (Windward Oahu Vicariate) and welcomes both residents and visitors to Hawaii to attend Mass, pray the Rosary, and join parish life. The parish describes itself as a multicultural community brought together by faith in Jesus Christ, with the mission 'to evangelize, educate, serve, and love one another as God loves us.'
Parish History
The parish has served Kailua since 1933. In 1952, then-pastor Maryknoll Father Michael Henry founded the parish school with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, beginning with kindergarten through third grade and graduating its first class in 1958. Since then roughly 13,000 students have passed through Saint Anthony School. Father William Kunisch, who had begun his priestly ministry at St. Anthony of Padua as parochial vicar in 2002, was installed as pastor in January 2022 by Bishop Larry Silva. On September 8, 2024, Bishop Larry Silva installed Rev. Anthony 'Tony' Pangan as the parish's current pastor.
- Founded 1933 — 'Serving Kailua, Hawaii since 1933'
- Parish school founded 1952 by Maryknoll Fr. Michael Henry (CSJ sisters)
- Fr. William Kunisch installed as pastor January 30, 2022
- Fr. Anthony 'Tony' Pangan installed as pastor September 8, 2024
Devotions and Feast Day
The parish's patron is St. Anthony of Padua, celebrated each year on June 13 with a 6:00 pm Mass followed by a catered dinner, fellowship, and entertainment in the parish hall.
- Feast Day Mass: June 13 at 6:00 pm
- Catered dinner and entertainment in parish hall
- Daily 6:00 am Rosary
- Rosary for Peace (1st Saturday, 4:15 pm)
Pastoral Succession
Documentation of the full succession of pastors is not published on the parish website, but a number of named pastors appear in parish news, diocesan pages, and local Catholic press.
- Maryknoll Fr. Michael Henry — founding pastor of the school (1952)
- Fr. Dennis Koshko — pastor in 2002 (when Fr. William Kunisch was assigned as parochial vicar)
- Fr. William Kunisch — pastor installed January 30, 2022
- Fr. Anthony 'Tony' Pangan — current pastor installed September 8, 2024
Saint Anthony School
Saint Anthony School is the parish's PreK–8 Catholic school, recognized as Kailua's oldest private school. Founded in 1952 with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, it now spans Preschool/PreKindergarten through eighth grade, with campus ministry, athletics, and an Extended Student Care program.
- PreK and PreKindergarten Early Learning Center
- Elementary (Primary K-2, Elementary 3-5)
- Middle School (6-8)
- Campus Ministry and Athletics
- Extended Student Care and After-School Activities
- Contact for school support: Jennifer Bryson (parish-side liaison)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at St. Anthony's reaches every age. Baptism Preparation meets on the 4th Wednesday at 7:00 pm; Religious Education serves preschool through 8th grade; Youth Ministry covers grades 6–12; and Adult Faith Formation, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), Sunday Kids Word, Catechists, Fruit of the Vine Bible Study, and Women Walking With Jesus round out the offerings.
- Baptism Prep (infant–6 yrs): 4th Wednesday, 7:00 pm — contact Kathleen Dudevoir
- Religious Education (PreK–8): contact Terri Stewart / Nikki DeWitt
- Youth Ministry (grades 6–12): Nikki DeWitt
- OCIA (RCIA): Parish Office, 808-266-2222 / Julie Strivens
- Adult Faith Formation: Maxine Pollock
- Sunday Kids Word: Nikki DeWitt
- Fruit of the Vine Bible Study: Kanani Asing
- Women Walking With Jesus: Sr. Isabel Rabbon
Young Adult & Small-Group Ministry
Epic Ministry serves young adults ages 18–39 with retreats, faith-sharing, socials, small groups, and digital media. The parish also offers F.I.A.T. (Faith In Action Today) — a Marian and saints-focused small group that meets twice a month — plus Walking With Purpose, a weekly women's Bible study, and a general Small Group Ministry that meets in homes or parish facilities.
- Epic Ministry (18–39) — epicministry.net
- F.I.A.T. (Faith In Action Today) — Marian & saints devotion, meets twice monthly, contact Peter Cruz
- Walking With Purpose — women's weekly Bible study, contact Katie (210) 385-9224
- Small Group Ministry — contact Becky Mia
Outreach & Social Justice Ministries
The parish runs several outreach programs serving Windward Oahu and beyond: a Food Pantry with biweekly distribution plus Thanksgiving Baskets and Christmas gifts, a Thrift Shop for affordable clothing and personal items, Prison Ministry that brings the Eucharist and Bible study to the incarcerated, Hope Center meal service in Kailua, Respect Life advocacy, and a Prayer Partners team that prays after Sunday Masses.
- Food Pantry — biweekly distribution, Thanksgiving Baskets, Christmas gifts (Valerie Haole)
- Thrift Shop Ministry — affordable clothing and personal items (Valerie Haole)
- Prison Ministry — Holy Eucharist, Bible study, faith-sharing (Tom McCabe)
- Hope Center — scheduled dinners and Catholic fellowship for men in residential rehab (Tom McCabe)
- Respect Life — prayer, education, public witness for life from conception to natural death (Monica Cobb-Adams)
- Prayer Partners — prayer after Sunday Masses (Monica Cobb-Adams)
Sacraments at St. Anthony's
The parish celebrates all seven sacraments. Reconciliation is offered Saturday afternoons with weekday appointments available; Baptism Preparation is required for parents and godparents of infants/children up to age 6; OCIA prepares adults for Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist; and sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation is offered through the Religious Education program.
- Baptism (infant–6) with required prep class — 4th Wednesday, 7:00 pm
- Reconciliation (Confession) — Saturdays 4:00–4:30 pm or by appointment
- First Communion and Confirmation (via Religious Education)
- OCIA — adult initiation
- Marriage — call the parish office
- Anointing of the Sick — call the parish office
Music and Liturgical Life
Music ministry is an integral part of the parish's liturgical life. The featured song on the parish website, 'E Ka Uhane,' was composed by parishioner Kepa Stern, who is also the Music Teacher at St. Anthony's School, reflecting the close bond between parish and school.
- 'E Ka Uhane' — composed by Kepa Stern
- Music teachers and choir members drawn from the parish and school community
Getting Involved
Parishioners are invited to serve as lectors, cantors, choir members, instrumentalists, catechists, youth-ministry volunteers, or in any of the outreach ministries. The parish asks: 'Do you enjoy proclaiming the Word of God? Are you blessed with a beautiful voice? Do you play a musical instrument? Are you passionate about helping those in need?' — and points visitors to the parish office (808-266-2222) to be matched to a ministry.
- Lectors, cantors, choir, instrumentalists (Music/Liturgy)
- Catechists and Sunday Kids Word volunteers
- Youth Ministry helpers
- Outreach volunteers (Food Pantry, Thrift Shop, Prison Ministry, Hope Center)
- Contact: parish office 808-266-2222 or stanthonykailua.org
Visit, Contact, and Location
St. Anthony of Padua is located at 148 #A Makawao Street in Kailua on Windward Oahu, one block from Kailua Beach. The parish office is reached at 808-266-2222 (fax 808-266-2229) or by email at [email protected]. The school, ministries, and parish staff are coordinated from the same campus.
- Address: 148 #A Makawao St., Kailua, HI 96734
- Phone: 808-266-2222 — Fax: 808-266-2229
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://stanthonyskailua.org/
- One block from Kailua Beach, Windward Oahu
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Anthony 'Tony' Pangan2024–present
Installed by Bishop Larry Silva on September 8, 2024.
- Rev. William Kunisch2022–2024
Installed January 30, 2022 by Bishop Larry Silva. First assignment as parochial vicar was at St. Anthony of Padua, Kailua, 2002–2003 (under Fr. Dennis Koshko). Previously served at Maria Lanakila (Lahaina), St. Theresa Co-Cathedral (Kalihi), and Resurrection of the Lord (Waipio).
- Rev. Fr. Dennis Koshkoserving 2002–2003
Pastor when Fr. William Kunisch was assigned to St. Anthony of Padua as parochial vicar in 2002.
- Maryknoll Fr. Michael Henryearly 1950s
Pastored the parish and founded the parish school (Saint Anthony School) in 1952 with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.