About St. Rita · Nanakuli, Hawaii
St. Rita Catholic Church is a rural parish in Nānākuli on the Leeward Coast of Oahu, Hawaii, serving one of only two Roman Catholic communities originally founded on Hawaiian Homelands to serve Native Hawaiians (the other being Mālia Puka o ka Lani in Keaukaha, Big Island). The parish belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu and is a fast-growing faith community where the Hawaiian language, hula, oli, native instruments (ipu heke 'ole, pu'ili, 'uli'uli, pahu), koa wood furnishings, and lei in liturgy are woven into Catholic worship alongside English. Currently pastored by Rev. Paulo Kosaka, OFM Cap., with Deacon Harold Levy, Jr. and a small lay staff, St. Rita runs a food pantry, RCIA, religious education, youth ministry, a monthly feeding ministry for the homeless, and the Kupuna Project for its kupuna (elders).
- Established
- 1928
- Patron
- St. Rita of Cascia
- Rector
- Rev. Paulo Kosaka, OFM Cap.
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu
Why belong here
St. Rita is more than a Sunday obligation — it is the heart of the Nānākuli community. Visitors are welcomed with lei, birthdays and wedding anniversaries are blessed at Mass, and the parish runs a food pantry that serves around 130 families a week as well as a monthly hot dinner for the homeless on the last Thursday of the month. For those seeking a Catholic spirituality genuinely rooted in Hawaiian language, hula, oli, native instruments, koa furnishings and lei at liturgy — and a parish that stands with the kanaka maoli for truth and justice — St. Rita is a rare and authentic home.
Mass times at St. Rita
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:15 PM – 4:00 PM at St. Rita (per parish website)
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM (per Diocese of Honolulu parish listing)
- Also by appointment
Our History
Saint Rita Catholic Church in Nānākuli began as a mission church of Immaculate Conception Parish in 'Ewa and was administered by the Sacred Hearts Fathers. According to the parish account written by Fr. Alapaki Kim, in June 1928 Bishop Stephen Alencastre was riding the OR&L train from Honolulu to Haleiwa by way of Kaena Point, on his way to dedicate the new Sacred Heart Church in Wai'anae. The steam train stopped at the Nānākuli Depot water tank (a beach site still known locally as 'Depots') to refill, and several Native Hawaiians approached the bishop at the back of the train to ask for a Catholic church in Nānākuli. Among them were Albert K. Akana and his wife Rita Pangelinan Akana. St. Rita was established and attached to Sacred Hearts as a mission church in June 1928, named in honor of St. Rita of Cascia.
- Founded June 1928 as a mission of Immaculate Conception, administered by the Sacred Hearts Fathers
- Petitioners included Albert K. Akana and his wife Rita Pangelinan Akana
- Building relocated from Schofield Barracks → 'Ewa (as Immaculate Conception Church) → Nānākuli homestead lot in 1934
- Japanese planes flew over the church on December 7, 1941 en route to Pearl Harbor
- Bishop James J. Sweeney made it a mission of Sacred Heart Parish in 1942
- Twin bell towers and side wings added in 1955 with help from Mr. Eyre Scott and others
- Elevated to full parish status in 1965
A Church on Hawaiian Homestead Land
When the Nānākuli Hawaiian Homestead began opening lots in the Nanaikapono area in 1931, homesteaders petitioned the Hawaiian Homes Commission for church lands. Three pioneering houses of worship resulted: a Catholic church in honor of St. Rita of Cascia, the Nanaikapono Protestant Church, and a Mormon church — the very first churches in Nānākuli. Of those three historic buildings, only St. Rita on Farrington Highway and the original Mormon Church building on Nānākuli Avenue survive (the Mormon building is no longer used as a church).
- One of only two Roman Catholic churches on Hawaiian Homelands originally founded to serve Native Hawaiians (the other is Mālia Puka o ka Lani in Keaukaha, Big Island)
- Now also serves the greater Nānākuli neighborhood community
- On the Nānākuli Hawaiian Homestead, in the Leeward Oahu Vicariate of the Diocese of Honolulu
Mission Statement, Values, and Hawaiian-Catholic Identity
The parish mission statement reads: 'We, the people of God of St. Rita Parish in Nānākuli, are united in our belief and in our commitment to Jesus Christ. In the spirit of Aloha, we respond to Christ's mission of love and freedom with our care, concern and communal action. This is expressed in the stewardship of our treasure through tithing and in the gift of our time and talents through shared ministries.' The parish describes itself as 'a fast growing rural parish with a large Hawaiian population' with 'a special calling to stand together in truth and justice for the rights of the first people (kanaka maoli) of this land.'
- Faith expressed in 'olelo makuahine (the Hawaiian mother tongue) alongside English in liturgy
- Worship uses hula and oli as sacred gestures
- Native instruments in liturgy: ipu heke 'ole, pu'ili, 'uli'uli, pahu — alongside guitar, drums and ukulele
- Native flowers and plants in the church environment
- Koa and other native hardwoods in the altar, tabernacle, crucifix, and sacred vessels
- Lei placed around the Book of the Gospels and around the consecrated hosts and chalice
- Congregational singing in English and Hawaiian to traditional Hawaiian melodies
- Samoan fine mat used when preparing the altar for the Liturgy of the Eucharist
- Annual Misa de Gallo Christmas Novena
- Birthdays and wedding anniversaries blessed before Mass
- All visitors welcomed with lei
- Kupuna Project serving the parish's elders
Clergy and Staff
St. Rita is currently pastored by Rev. Paulo Kosaka, OFM Cap., who was installed as pastor by the Diocese of Honolulu on September 17, 2023. He is assisted by Deacon Harold Levy, Jr. and a small lay staff.
- Rev. Paulo Kosaka, OFM Cap. — Pastor (installed September 17, 2023)
- Deacon Harold Levy, Jr. — Active Ministry
- Mele Ahuna — Administrative Assistant
- Rosalina Lefu'a — Religious Education
- Don Gerry — RCIA
- Nani Reyes — Youth Ministry
- Karen Victor — Director of Religious Education and 'olelo Hawai'i ministry
- Fr. Alapaki Kim ('Fr. Paki') — former pastor, Native Hawaiian priest, author of parish history
Religious Education
Religious education at St. Rita is directed by Karen Victor, who is fluent in Hawaiian and is working on translating lessons into 'olelo Hawai'i. The parish publishes a Religious Education Registration Form online and welcomes inquiries from parish families.
- Director of Religious Education: Karen Victor
- St. Rita Religious Education Registration Form available on the parish website
- Hawaiian-language translation of lessons in progress
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
St. Rita runs an RCIA program for adults preparing to enter the Catholic Church, coordinated by Don Gerry. The parish has also featured the diocesan catechetical initiative 'Celebrating the Sacraments of Initiation in Their Original Order' on its special events page.
- RCIA Coordinator: Don Gerry
- Sacraments of Initiation celebrated in their Original Order
Youth Ministry
Youth ministry at St. Rita is led by Nani Reyes and is part of the parish's effort to bring younger generations into the Hawaiian-Catholic life of the community.
- Youth Ministry Coordinator: Nani Reyes
Outreach and Charity
Outreach is central to St. Rita's identity as a Nānākuli community hub. The parish food pantry, open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, serves about 130 families a week with food donated by parishioners or bought by the parish. On the last Thursday of the month, a potluck dinner serves as many as 200 complete hot dinners to the homeless — many of whom live on the beaches across the street — with volunteers from other neighborhood churches and groups joining in.
- Parish Emergency Food Pantry (Mon/Wed/Fri) — serves about 130 families/week
- Feeding the Brethren — monthly community hot dinners on the last Thursday, serves up to 200
- Kupuna Project — services to parish elders
- School Supplies drive (annual outreach)
- Sister parish relationships with other parishes
- Welcomes all visitors with lei greeting
Special Events and Anniversaries
The parish celebrates an annual Misa de Gallo Christmas Novena and a feast-day Mass in honor of St. Rita of Cascia. In 2018, the parish marked its 90th anniversary with a luau for more than 350 guests, organized by Sebastian Lopez, who also produced an anniversary book. The parish has also hosted Catholic comedian Judy McDonald and publicized Rachel's Vineyard Retreats.
- Annual Misa de Gallo (Christmas Novena)
- St. Rita of Cascia feast-day Mass (May 22)
- 90th Anniversary luau celebrated in 2018
- Rachel's Vineyard Retreats — May and October
- Easter Services and School Supplies Drives
Building the Future — The Master Plan
By 2018 the church building — then described as a 114-year-old structure in worn condition — was the focus of a five-phase master plan. Phases one and two (already completed at that point, with $1 million spent and $800,000 in the bank) included moving the pastor from the rat-infested rectory to a new house down the road and parking-lot improvements. Phase three was an 80-by-80-foot multipurpose building whose walls would open to seat up to 450, replacing the Quonset hut and portable trailers and housing six classrooms, a food pantry and a warming kitchen. Phase four is the church itself, and phase five the parish office. The parish hopes to keep remaining costs near $5 million with local help, although a parish handout estimated final phases at over $8 million.
- Five-phase master plan underway
- Phase 3 multipurpose building — up to 450 seats, 6 classrooms, food pantry, warming kitchen
- Phase 4: the church
- Phase 5: the parish office
Parish Identity at a Glance
St. Rita is the largest church in Nānākuli with roughly 300 registered families; between 350 and 400 attend the four weekend Masses. The parish welcomes visitors with lei greeting and sees itself as part of the universal Catholic Church with an outreach that extends beyond its boundaries to the global community, while affirming 'the human dignity of all peoples.'
- Approximately 300 registered families
- 350–400 attend weekend Masses
- Welcomes all visitors with lei
- Affirms dignity of all peoples; stands with kanaka maoli
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Alapaki Kim (Fr. 'Paki')through at least 2018; installation of successor 2023
Native Hawaiian priest of the Diocese of Honolulu; noted for uniting Hawaiian and Catholic spirituality; wrote the parish history account; led the five-phase building master plan
- Rev. Paulo Kosaka, OFM Cap.installed September 17, 2023
Installed as Pastor of St. Rita Church, Nānākuli by the Diocese of Honolulu on September 17, 2023