About St. James the Less · Kula, Hawaii
St. James the Less is a small, scenic Catholic parish in Ulupalakua, Maui, part of the larger Kula Catholic Community. It serves a rural, ranching area and holds Mass only on the last Sunday of each month at noon. The parish traces its roots to a Hawaiian-style chapel used by early missionaries in 1851, with its current church built in 1950 and renovated in 2002. It is one of three churches in the Kula Catholic Community, alongside Holy Ghost Mission and Our Lady Queen of Angels, all under the Diocese of Honolulu.
- Established
- 1875
- Patron
- St. James the Less
- Diocese
- Diocese of Honolulu
Why belong here
St. James the Less offers a quiet, scenic setting for worship and community, with a rich history rooted in missionary tradition and local ranching culture. Though Mass is held only once a month, the parish remains active through its connection to the larger Kula Catholic Community, which offers sacraments, ministries, and outreach to all people.
Mass times at St. James the Less
Weekly Mass schedule
History of St. James the Less
The parish traces its origins to a Hawaiian-style chapel used by missionaries in 1851. The current church was built in 1950, replacing a wooden structure that had served the community since 1875. Father Julian Fierens oversaw its construction with contractor George Yamayoshi. In 2002, Frank Martin and his family led a major renovation, completed with community labor and donations, and the church was rededicated.
Location
Located about a half mile past the Ulupalakua Ranch Store and Maui Wine on Kula Highway.