About St. Michael · Waialua, Hawaii
St. Michael Parish (official name: Sts. Michael, Peter and Paul) is a Roman Catholic parish serving the North Shore of Oahu from its campus at 67-390 Goodale Avenue in Waialua, Hawaii. The parish is the historic North Shore Catholic community founded in 1840 by Hawaiian catechumens and the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts (SS.CC.) missionaries, with the church building formally consecrated on May 8, 1853 under the patronage of St. Michael the Archangel. Today it operates alongside its long-standing mission church, the Mission of Sts. Peter and Paul at Waimea Bay, offering daily and Sunday Mass in English, the Sacraments of Initiation, faith formation for children and youth, social ministry, and pastoral care for the local Micronesian Catholic community. It belongs to the Diocese of Honolulu, Vicariate of Central Oahu, and is served by Father Romple Emwalu as pastor.
- Established
- 1840 (mission established); parish formally dedicated May 8, 1853
- Patron
- St. Michael the Archangel
- Rector
- Rev. Romple Emwalu (also serves as Micronesia Chaplain)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Honolulu (Roman Catholic Church in Hawaii), Vicariate of Central Oahu
Why belong here
St. Michael Parish is the historic anchor of Catholic life on Oahu's North Shore, serving Waialua families and stretching all the way to Waimea Bay through its mission church. A multicultural community of several hundred families gathers here for Sunday and daily Mass, faith formation for children and youth, and a vibrant social ministry that reaches out to neighbors in need. Pastoral care is also available for the local Micronesian Catholic community, and — through the Sacred Hearts (SS.CC.) tradition that has staffed the parish since 1840 — the parish ties you to a centuries-old missionary heritage while still welcoming new members into RCIA, Confirmation, and First Communion preparation each year.
Mass times at St. Michael
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM (St. Michael) — also by appointment
Adoration times
- Thursday: 6:30 PM Public Holy Hour
- First Friday (and other listed days): Benediction / Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 7:15 PM
- Thursday Eucharistic Adoration (per third-party listing): 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Welcome to St. Michael Parish
St. Michael Parish is the historic Catholic community of Oahu's North Shore, headquartered at 67-390 Goodale Avenue in Waialua and extending its ministry to the Mission of Sts. Peter and Paul at Waimea Bay. A multicultural community of several hundred families, the parish offers daily and Sunday Mass, faith formation for all ages, the Sacraments of Initiation, music and social ministry, and pastoral care for the Micronesian Catholic community. It belongs to the Diocese of Honolulu's Central Oahu Vicariate and is staffed in the long-standing tradition of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts (SS.CC.).
- Sun Mass: Sat 5 PM Vigil; Sun 7 AM, 9 AM (Mission of Sts. Peter and Paul), 11 AM
- Weekday Mass: Mon–Sat 7 AM (Monday is Communion Service only)
- Confession: Sat 4:00–4:30 PM and by appointment
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 9 AM – 3 PM
The St. Michael Story — A History of the Parish
The parish traces back to 1840 when Catechist Luika Kaumaka petitioned the Apostolic Vicariate for a priest and Bishop Rouchouze sent Father Joseph Desvault, SS.CC. Bishop Rouchouze baptized 96 Hawaiians at Waialua, with a second group later baptized by Pro-Vicar Bishop Maigret — together they formed the original nucleus of the parish. Built with coral lime, boulders, and the hands of the community, the first church was consecrated on May 8, 1853, on land granted by Royal Patent from King Kamehameha IV at Bishop Maigret's request. A second church was built in 1912, dedicated by Bishop Libert Hubert Boeynaems, SS.CC., at Kawailoa (the Sacred Hearts mission). The third and current St. Michael Church was completed in November 1923 under Father Sebastian Konze by contractor Bolen and Company, patterned after the San Gabriel Mission in California (itself based on the Cathedral of Córdoba, Spain, and noted for its buttresses). Father Libert Frank Silva, SS.CC. added the bell tower and tiled roof in the late 1920s.
- 1840 — Mission founded by Father Joseph Desvault, SS.CC.
- 1849–1853 — First church constructed; Royal Patent land grant from King Kamehameha IV
- 1853, May 8 — Bishop Maigret dedicates the new church under the patronage of St. Michael the Archangel
- 1912 — Sacred Hearts mission church built at Kawailoa
- 1923 — Third (current) church completed by Bolen and Company under Father Konze
- 1934 — Father Ernest Claus, SS.CC. plans the eight-grade school and builds Damien Hall
- 1953 — Father Louis Boeynaems, SS.CC. founds the Mission of Sts. Peter and Paul
- 1969 — St. Michael School becomes the first all-lay-staffed Catholic school in Hawaii
- 1991 — Father Edward C. Martin, SS.CC. becomes pastor
- 1996 — Closure of the Waialua plantation
- 2003, Sept 28 — 150th anniversary Mass with Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo, D.D.
- 2007 — Father Bertram Lock, SS.CC. and Parochial Vicar Father Johnathan Hurrell, SS.CC. lead the community
Mission of Sts. Peter and Paul
The Mission of Sts. Peter and Paul was established in 1953 by Father Louis Boeynaems, SS.CC. who purchased and began renovating an old quarry on a hillside overlooking Waimea Bay. From an initial cluster of dilapidated, floorless buildings, the parish community fashioned a worship space that has served as a source of spiritual nourishment along the North Shore for more than 70 years. It remains an active mission of St. Michael Parish, hosting Sunday Mass at 9:00 AM.
- Founded 1953 by Father Louis Boeynaems, SS.CC.
- Sunday Mass at 9:00 AM
- Adapted from an old quarry site on the hillside near Waimea Bay
Sacraments of Initiation — Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation
St. Michael Parish celebrates Baptism on the 4th Sunday of every month (typically at the 9:30 AM Mass). Parents and godparents must attend a baptismal preparation class held every 3rd Wednesday of the month (or submit documentation from their home parish). First Holy Communion is available to children at least 7 years old after one year of religious education plus a year of sacramental preparation. Confirmation preparation is a two-year process; the sacrament is conferred in 9th grade or older for youth who complete religious education classes.
- Baptism: 4th Sunday at 9:30 AM Mass — contact Mary Kamauoha, 808-255-1683
- Baptismal prep class: 3rd Wednesday of every month
- First Holy Communion: age 7+ with 2 years of preparation
- Confirmation: 2-year preparation, sacrament conferred in 9th grade or older
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Religious Education / CCD classes meet Sunday at 9:00 AM, providing continuous formation for parish children. The same program feeds sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation. A Youth and Young Adult Ministry is coordinated by Joshua Kapika, and RCIA (Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults) is offered for adults seeking entry into the Catholic Church or completing their sacraments of initiation.
- CCD / Religious Education — Sunday 9:00 AM
- RCIA — for unbaptized adults and those completing initiation
- Youth & Young Adult Ministry — coordinated by Joshua Kapika
St. Michael School
St. Michael School has long stood alongside the parish on the North Shore, with a campus that began in 1944 with the kindergarten and first-grade classes held in Damien Hall (named for Father Damien de Veuster of Molokai). Father Benno Evers, SS.CC. expanded the campus with a basement and stage for Damien Hall, a two-story Sisters' Convent with an inner courtyard, and an eight-grade school building with library and dispensary. The school became the first Catholic school in Hawaii with an entirely lay staff in 1969 under Father Anthony Everaert, SS.CC. The parish has recently published a FAQ explaining the difficult decision-making around the school's enrollment, finances and long-term sustainability, and the institution continues to operate a Saint Michael Early Learning Center website at stmichaelschoolhi.com.
- School founded mid-1940s; named gym 'Damien Hall' after Father Damien
- 1969 — first all-lay-staffed Catholic school in Hawaii
- Saint Michael Early Learning Center currently active (stmichaelschoolhi.com)
- FAQ on parish website addresses the recent school decision
Clergy and Parish Staff
St. Michael Parish is led by Father Romple Emwalu, who also serves as the diocesan chaplain for the Micronesian community. Deacon Jonathan Ocampo assists at the parish, with Deacon Jimmy Emilio serving in the Micronesian community under the pastor's direction. Joshua Kapika coordinates pastoral care, religious education, and youth/young adult ministry; Thelma Lancaster is the Business Manager; Lydia Lunasco heads Music; and Emilyn Ramones directs Social Ministry. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
- Pastor / Micronesia Chaplain — Rev. Romple Emwalu ([email protected])
- Deacon Jonathan Ocampo ([email protected])
- Deacon Jimmy Emilio (Micronesian community)
- Joshua Kapika — Pastoral Associate / Religious Ed / Youth & YA Ministry (ext. 228, [email protected])
- Thelma Lancaster — Business Manager (ext. 221, [email protected])
- Lydia Lunasco — Music Coordinator
- Emilyn Ramones — Social Ministry Coordinator (ext. 223, [email protected])
Music Ministry
The parish music program, under Music Coordinator Lydia Lunasco, supports weekday and Sunday Masses at St. Michael and at the Mission of Sts. Peter and Paul. The parish takes pride in its long-standing choir tradition: under Father Matthew Lochs, SS.CC., a pipe organ was relocated from St. Augustine's Church to the St. Michael choir loft in the 1960s, and choir members still respond singing in Latin or English during services.
- Music Coordinator: Lydia Lunasco
- Sunday and daily Masses at St. Michael and the Mission
- Historic choir tradition (pipe organ installed in choir loft under Father Lochs)
Social Ministry and Outreach
The parish Social Ministry Coordinator, Emilyn Ramones, organizes outreach and charity work that responds to the practical needs of North Shore families. Worship and sacramental life, faith formation, music, social ministry, and pastoral care for the Micronesian Catholic community together form the core parish offerings, giving members several ways to become involved.
- Social Ministry Coordinator: Emilyn Ramones (ext. 223)
- Pastoral care for the Micronesian Catholic community
- Connection to diocesan Social Ministry under the Diocese of Honolulu
Diocese of Honolulu and Vicariate Information
St. Michael Parish belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu (the Catholic Church in Hawaii), in the Vicariate of Central Oahu. It is identified in the diocesan directory with associated mission Sts. Peter & Paul Mission at Waimea Bay, office hours Monday through Friday 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, and contact email [email protected].
- Diocese: Honolulu (Roman Catholic Church in Hawaii)
- Vicariate: Central Oahu
- Associated Mission: Sts. Peter & Paul — Waimea Bay
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Joseph Desvault, SS.CC.1840 (mission founded)
First priest, built the thatched-roof chapel at Paalaa; later returned for a second term in 1857.
- Father John Chrysostome Holbein, SS.CC.after 1840
Ministered the Waialua mission after Father Desvault's first term.
- Father Barnaba Castan1847
Belonged to the French Polynesian Province.
- Father Raymond Delalande, SS.CC.1848
Pastor of both the Waialua and Waianae missions; presented the request for a new church to Bishop Maigret.
- Father Arsenius Robert Walsh1853–1857
Served as pastor at the dedication of the first St. Michael Church.
- Father Joseph Desvault, SS.CC.1857 (second term)
Returned to Waialua as pastor.
- Father Sebastian Konzeearly 1920s
Built the third (current) St. Michael Church with Bolen and Company, completed November 1923.
- Father Libert Frank Silva, SS.CC.1924
Renovated the church — added bell tower, replaced iron roof with tile; assigned Our Lady of Sorrows (Wahiawa) in 1928.
- Father Ernest Claus, SS.CC.1934
Began planning the eight-grade school; built Damien Hall gym.
- Father Benno Evers, SS.CC.mid-1940s
Completed school buildings, Sisters' Convent, library and dispensary.
- Father Octave Igodt, SS.CC.1947
- Father Jozef Verhaeren, SS.CC.1947
- Father Adrian Van Tilburg, SS.CC.1948
- Father Martin Termote, SS.CC.1949
- Father Louis Boeynaems, SS.CC.1950
Founded the Mission of Sts. Peter and Paul at Waimea Bay in 1953.
- Father Maurice Holeman, SS.CC. (with Associate Fr. Michael Chong, SS.CC.)1956
Associate Michael Chong left in 1959.
- Father Matthew Lochs, SS.CC.1961
Said Mass also at Wahiawa; installed pipe organ brought from St. Augustine's Church.
- Father David Paul Todd, SS.CC. (with Frs. Francis Schellemans 1965 and Martin Mary Fernandez 1969)1963–1969
Associates assisting Father Lochs.
- Father Anthony Everaert, SS.CC.September 1969
Under his pastorship, St. Michael School became the first Catholic school in Hawaii with an all-lay staff.
- Father Clyde L. Guerreiro, SS.CC.1982
Renovation and landscaping; Father Alfred Vann, SS.CC. assisted in 1984.
- Father Lane Akiona, SS.CC.1985
Brought Brother Leo O. Vendiola, SS.CC. to assist.
- Father Stephen Van den Eynde, SS.CC.1988
Maintenance repairs; led RCIA classes; celebrated special Masses with school.
- Father Edward C. Martin, SS.CC.1991
Emphasized Commitment, Strength, Renewal, and Proclamation; led community through plantation closing, 1996.
- Father Albert Garcia, SS.CC.after 1993
Succeeded Father Edward Martin; had joined as Associate Pastor in 1993.
- Father Christopher Keahi, SS.CC. (with Parochial Vicar Fr. Felix Vandebroek, SS.CC.)by 2003
Led 150th anniversary on September 28, 2003, with Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo. Father Keahi later elected Provincial Superior of the Sacred Hearts, Hawaii Province.
- Father Bertram Lock, SS.CC.2007
Pastor; accompanied by Parochial Vicar Father Johnathan Hurrell, SS.CC.
- Rev. Romple Emwalucurrent (post-2022 directory)
Current pastor and Micronesia chaplain.