About St. George · Waimanalo, Hawaii
St. George Catholic Church is a small Catholic parish serving the close-knit town of Waimanalo on the windward (eastern) coast of Oahu, Hawaii. Tucked between the majestic Ko'olau mountain range and the rolling Pacific, the parish describes itself as 'a community of many diverse people joined together to proclaim God's word' through liturgy, faith formation, and outreach. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Honolulu (Vicariate of Windward Oahu) and is currently led by Father Raymund Ellorin, with a permanent deacon and a lay staff supporting a vibrant schedule of daily Mass, devotions, religious education, and community ministries. Its mission is rooted in welcoming visitors, building unity, and serving the people of Waimanalo through a food pantry, home visits to the sick, and a twinning relationship with a parish in rural Sri Lanka.
- Established
- 1954
- Patron
- St. George
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Raymund Ellorin
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu (Vicariate of Windward Oahu)
Why belong here
St. George is a small, multigenerational parish where it's easy to get involved — the parish office encourages parishioners to call (808) 259-7188 and sign up for one of many active ministries, from the choir (which sings Hawaiian music at Saturday Vigil Mass) to OCIA, Religious Education, the food pantry, and the Filipino Catholic Community. Worship is rich: daily Mass, a Saturday Vigil, two Sunday Masses (including a youth-led 'Spirit' Mass on the third Sunday), Eucharistic Adoration on First Fridays, novenas to Our Lady of Perpetual Help and St. Joseph, a Fatima Rosary, a Respect Life Rosary in the Meditation Garden, and a Divine Mercy Chaplet every Sunday afternoon. The parish is committed to outreach — running a food pantry open to all in Waimanalo (not just parishioners), taking Communion to the homebound, and annually supporting its twinned parish in Habarana, Sri Lanka.
Mass times at St. George
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 5:15 PM–5:45 PM (in the new Reconciliation Chapel)
- Or by appointment (call the parish office)
Adoration times
- First Friday of the month at 7:45 AM (Eucharist Adoration)
- First Saturday of the month at 5:15 PM (Eucharistic Devotion)
- First Sunday of the month 11:00 AM–12:00 PM (Eucharistic Devotion)
Parish Overview & Mission
St. George Catholic Church in Waimanalo, Hawaii, is a Catholic parish in the Diocese of Honolulu (Vicariate of Windward Oahu) that serves the small, close-knit town of Waimanalo on the windward (eastern) coast of Oahu. The parish's mission statement reads: 'St. George Parish in Waimanalo is a community of many diverse people joined together to proclaim God's word in holy scripture by celebrating the liturgy and building a faith community. Uniquely embraced by the majestic Ko'olau and rolling seas, we strive to be a welcoming parish and commit ourselves to serve the people of God through outreach, unity and renewal.' New parishioners are warmly welcomed to register through the parish office.
- Aloha! Welcome to St. George Catholic Church in Waimanalo, Hawaii on the island of Oahu
- Vicariate: Windward Oahu, Diocese of Honolulu
- Office Hours: Tuesday–Friday, 9:00 AM to 12 Noon (Monday closed)
- Parish registration available through the parish office
Parish History
Catholic worship in Waimanalo reaches back to 1842, when a priest from St. Ann in Heeia (Kaneohe) began visiting to baptize and administer the sacraments. A new chapel was blessed by Bishop Louis Maigret in 1861, repaired by Brother Victor Bertrand in 1866, and given a French bell in 1870. After the Waimanalo Sugar Company brought Filipino and Portuguese laborers in 1878, the Catholic community grew. The current parish's namesake, plantation manager George Chalmers, helped Fr. Patrick Logan, SS.CC., secure land for the 1933 church — which Fr. Logan dedicated to St. George in gratitude. Bishop James J. Sweeney established St. George as an official parish in December 1954, with Fr. Eugene Morin, SS.CC., as first pastor; the present lava-rock and limestone church was completed and blessed on December 6, 1959. The parish was administered by the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts Fathers from 1866 until 1985, when the Diocese of Honolulu assumed administration.
- 1842: First Catholic chapel in Waimanalo
- 1861: Chapel rebuilt, blessed by Bishop Louis Maigret on April 21
- 1870: Bell imported from France mounted in tower
- 1878: Waimanalo Sugar Company founded, importing Filipino and Portuguese labor
- 1933: New church built; named for plantation manager George Chalmers
- 1954: Established as an official parish by Bishop James J. Sweeney
- 1959: Present church completed (black lava-rock façade, white limestone sanctuary wall)
- 1981: New bell tower blessed on Easter Sunday
- 1983: Grotto to the Blessed Virgin built by the Filipino Catholic Club
- 1985: Diocese of Honolulu assumes administration from the Sacred Hearts Fathers
- 1999: Twinning with Our Lady of Dolours parish in Habarana, Sri Lanka begins
- 2002: 'The Gathering Place' parish hall blessed by Bishop DiLorenzo on Feb 2
- 2006: Memorial to the Unborn dedicated (donated by Knights of Columbus Council 7156)
- 2007: Hall renamed 'The Fr. Bill Gathering Place' in honor of Msgr. Mattimore
- 2024: 70th anniversary celebrated with year-long events and first Grand Santacruzan
Devotions & Prayer Life
St. George maintains an especially rich devotional life for a parish of its size, with Eucharistic Adoration on First Fridays at 7:45 AM and additional Eucharistic Devotion times on First Saturdays (5:15 PM) and First Sundays (11:00 AM–12:00 PM). A daily Rosary precedes Mass, and additional Rosaries are prayed in the Meditation Garden on the 13th (Our Lady of Fatima) and the First Wednesday (Respect Life). The Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena is prayed Tuesday mornings, the Novena to St. Joseph on the 19th of each month, and the Divine Mercy Chaplet every Sunday at 3:00 PM. A Novena and Feast Day honoring San Lorenzo Ruiz (the first Filipino saint) is celebrated in September.
- Eucharist Adoration: First Friday at 7:45 AM
- Rosary: Monday–Saturday at 6:30 AM
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena: Tuesdays at 6:30 AM
- Our Lady of Fatima Rosary: 13th of the month, 12:00 PM, Meditation Garden
- Novena to St. Joseph: 19th of the month, 12:00 PM, Meditation Garden
- Respect Life Rosary: First Wednesday, 12:00 PM, Meditation Garden
- Divine Mercy Chaplet: every Sunday, 3:00 PM
- Novena and Feast Day of San Lorenzo Ruiz: September
Sacraments
In addition to the Eucharist and Reconciliation, St. George celebrates Baptism (with required classes for parents and godparents), Marriage (with a six-month notice to meet with Fr. Raymund), Anointing of the Sick (available by calling the office and during monthly Second-Friday visits to the homebound), and Funeral services (with the assistance of the Bereavement Ministry, coordinated by Carlotta Kidder).
- Baptism: required classes for parents and godparents; call the office to register
- Marriage: appointment with Fr. Raymund at least six months before the wedding
- Anointing of the Sick: by appointment; monthly home visits on the second Friday
- Funeral: contact the parish office before making burial arrangements; Bereavement Ministry assists
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. George's faith-formation program, directed by Vicky DeSilva, offers Religious Education and Confirmation classes for children and youth from preschool through high school. Classes meet on Sundays between September (the Sunday after Labor Day) and early May, with registration in August. The OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults — formerly RCIA), led by Paul and Maria Dumas, welcomes adults seeking to become Catholic, baptized Catholics who have not yet received Eucharist or Confirmation, and those returning to the faith. OCIA classes meet in Mary's Haven on Sunday mornings from 8:00 to 9:30 AM.
- Grades K–5: Sundays 8:15–9:15 AM
- 4-year-olds: during the 9:30 AM Mass
- Grades 6–8: Sundays 10:30 AM–12:00 noon
- High school: Sunday evenings 5:30–7:00 PM
- OCIA (RCIA): Sundays 8:00–9:30 AM in Mary's Haven, September–May
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners of all ages serve at the altar and throughout the liturgy. Children, youth, and adults who have received First Eucharist are invited to become Altar Servers (Coordinator: Gabriela Gosiaco). Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (Coordinator: Bernie Seabury) assist the priest and deacon at Mass and bring Communion to homebound parishioners on Sunday mornings. Lectors (Coordinator: Bootsie Kauwe) proclaim the Word of God. Sacristans (Diane Carlos, Dennis Dela Cruz, and Carlotta Kidder) prepare everything needed for weekday and Sunday Masses as well as baptisms, marriages, and funerals. Ushers (Coordinator: Manny Valmoja) greet visitors and handle the collection.
- Altar Servers — Coordinator: Gabriela Gosiaco
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion — Coordinator: Bernie Seabury
- Lectors — Coordinator: Bootsie Kauwe
- Sacristans — Diane Carlos, Dennis Dela Cruz, Carlotta Kidder
- Ushers — Coordinator: Manny Valmoja
- Liturgical Committee — Chair: Denis Dela Cruz
Music Ministry
Music at St. George (led by Celia Chun-Wright) weaves together contemporary and traditional liturgical hymns at weekend Masses. Hawaiian songs are sung at the Saturday Vigil Mass, and the 9:30 AM Mass on the third Sunday of the month is the 'Spirit' Mass, featuring youth and young-adult musicians. The assembly is encouraged to sing along, and instrumentalists and singers of all ages are always welcome to join the music ministry.
- Contemporary and traditional liturgical hymns at weekend Masses
- Hawaiian songs at Saturday Vigil
- Youth/young-adult led 'Spirit' Mass on the 3rd Sunday at 9:30 AM
Parish Life, Outreach & Community
The parish's outreach efforts are anchored by the St. George food pantry (Coordinator: Amber Tynanes), which serves anyone in Waimanalo in need — not only parishioners — with donations supplemented by Aloha Harvest. Second-Friday home visits bring the priest to homebound parishioners for Anointing of the Sick and Communion. Since 1999, St. George has twinned with Our Lady of Dolours (Sorrows) Church in Habarana, Sri Lanka, raising about $5,000 per year through special collections, bake sales, an annual huli-huli chicken sale, and other events. The Filipino Catholic Community/Ministry (Rebecca Fuller), established September 10, 2023, hosts events like the Sinulog Feast of St. Niño and the parish's first Grand Santacruzan. The Bereavement Ministry (Carlotta Kidder) walks with families before, during, and after a loved one's services.
- Food pantry open to all in Waimanalo (Coordinator: Amber Tynanes)
- Second Friday home visits with Anointing of the Sick and Communion
- Twinning with Our Lady of Dolours parish, Habarana, Sri Lanka (since 1999)
- Filipino Catholic Community / Ministry (Rebecca Fuller) — formed September 10, 2023
- Bereavement Ministry (Carlotta Kidder)
- Respect Life Ministry (Jeremy and Susana Kwock)
Parish Staff & Councils
St. George is led by its pastor, Fr. Raymund Ellorin, with Permanent Deacon John Tolentino assisting. The lay staff includes Vicky DeSilva (Director of Religious Education), Celia Chun-Wright (Music), Lowella Gaerlan (Secretary), and Paul Burnett (Maintenance). The Pastoral Council (Luisa Manueli) meets on the second Sunday of the month after the 9:30 AM Mass and is open to all parishioners. The Stewardship Ministry (Greg Ryan), made up of ministry coordinators, meets on the third Sunday after the 9:30 AM Mass. The Finance Committee (Shawnie Campbell) and Building Maintenance & Special Projects Committee (Malala McMoore) round out the parish's organizational structure.
- Pastor: Fr. Raymund Ellorin
- Deacon: John Tolentino
- Director of Religious Education: Vicky DeSilva
- Music: Celia Chun-Wright
- Secretary: Lowella Gaerlan
- Maintenance: Paul Burnett
- Pastoral Council: Luisa Manueli
- Stewardship Ministry: Greg Ryan
- Finance Committee: Shawnie Campbell
- Building Maintenance & Special Projects: Malala McMoore
Facilities & Grounds
Beyond the 1959 church building (black lava-rock façade, white limestone sanctuary wall), the parish grounds include a 1981 bell tower housing the historic 1870 French bell, a 1983 grotto and water fountain dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, the Meditation Garden (the setting for several monthly Rosaries and novenas), the 2002 'Fr. Bill Gathering Place' parish hall (with moveable partitions for religious-education classrooms), and a handicap access ramp with covered walkway to the rectory. The 2006 Memorial to the Unborn, donated by the Knights of Columbus Brother Joseph Dutton Council 7156 of Star of the Sea Parish in Kahala, sits on the grass between the bell tower and the access ramp. Relics and devotional memorials installed inside the church include a memorial stone of San Lorenzo Ruiz and first-degree relics of St. George and St. Damien of Molokai.
- 1959 church — black lava-rock façade, white limestone sanctuary wall
- 1981 bell tower with the 1870 French bell
- 1983 Blessed Virgin grotto (built by the Filipino Catholic Club)
- Meditation Garden
- 'The Fr. Bill Gathering Place' parish hall (2002)
- Handicap access ramp and covered walkway to the rectory
- Memorial to the Unborn (2006)
Getting Involved
The parish actively invites parishioners to serve in its many ministries. Interested individuals are encouraged to call the parish office at (808) 259-7188 and leave a message. Pastoral Council and Stewardship Ministry meetings are open to all parishioners and are held after Sunday Mass; specific meeting times are listed in the parish bulletin.
- Call the parish office: (808) 259-7188
- Pastoral Council: 2nd Sunday after 9:30 AM Mass
- Stewardship Ministry: 3rd Sunday after 9:30 AM Mass
- Youth Ministry and Young Adult Ministry opportunities available
Visit & Contact Information
St. George Catholic Church is located at 41-1323 Kalanianaole Highway in Waimanalo on the windward side of Oahu. Office hours are Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon (closed Mondays). The parish phone number is (808) 259-7188, fax (808) 259-0169, and email is [email protected].
- Address: 41-1323 Kalanianaole Hwy, Waimanalo, HI 96795-1215
- Phone: (808) 259-7188
- Fax: (808) 259-0169
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Tuesday–Friday, 9:00 AM–12:00 noon
- Website: http://www.stgeorge96795.com/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Martial Jan, SS.CC.1866–?
Congregation of the Sacred Hearts; charged with the Koolau district, traveled monthly from Heeia to celebrate Mass in Waimanalo.
- Fr. Patrick Logan, SS.CC.1930s–1954
Secured land for the 1933 church through a land exchange; dedicated the new church to St. George in honor of plantation manager George Chalmers.
- Fr. Eugene Morin, SS.CC.1954–1956
First pastor when St. George became an official parish in December 1954; erected a small rectory.
- Fr. Louis Boeynaems, SS.CC.1956–1966
Began planning the new church building.
- Fr. Roland Peeters, SS.CC.1966–1969
- Fr. Eugene Morin, SS.CC.1969–1974
Returned for a second term; retired from St. George in 1974.
- Fr. Mark Consalvi, SS.CC.1974–1985
Added a two-story rectory at the back of the church; the old rectory became office and classroom space.
- Fr. Charles P. Kaleikoa1985–1996
First diocesan administrator after Sacred Hearts Fathers handed administration to the Diocese of Honolulu in 1985.
- Fr. Henry Sabog1996–1997
Tore down the termite-infested old hall and renovated the old rectory offices/classrooms.
- Msgr. William 'Fr. Bill' MattimoreNovember 1997–December 2006
Drove construction of the new parish hall ('The Gathering Place'); confessional, pews and rock-wall enclosure added; passed away Sept. 29, 2007.
- Fr. Alfred RebuldelaDecember 2006–June 2008
Appointed Administrator Pro-Tem by Bishop Larry Silva in January 2007.
- Fr. Michael Scully, SJJuly 2008–May 2009
Jesuit; Administrator.
- Fr. Robert 'Bob' Maher, OFM CapJune 2009–December 2011
Franciscan Capuchin; Administrator.
- Msgr. Romeo NietesDecember 2011–June 2012
Administrator Pro-Tem.
- Fr. Scott BushJuly 2012–June 2017
- Fr. Raymund EllorinJuly 2017–Present
Originally from Ilocos Sur, Philippines; current pastor; led the 70th anniversary celebrations in 2024 and the formation of the Filipino Catholic Ministry.