Resurrection of the Lord Church

Visit to Molokai

Written by Bob Mace, July 5, 2009


On the last Sunday of June, Iwie Tamashiro, from the Office of Social Ministry of the Diocese of Honolulu took me, Makana Aiona and Carrissa Oshiro of Resurrection of the Lord Parish, and Tess Texeira form Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish to the Island of Molokai for a one day visit.

After arriving at the airport and getting our rental van, we proceeded to the town of Kualapu'u to have breakfast at the Kualapuu Cookhouse. The rhythm of life is rather slow on the Island of Molokai. It is reflected in the easy going attitude of the people. If that is not apparent enough for us "city folk" from Oahu it is defiantly spelled out in numerous signs posted throughout the Island. "If you're in a hurry you are on the wrong Island! Thanks Mahalo" was the sign posted at the counter in the Cookhouse. It's interesting that both the words "Thanks" and "Mahalo", both meaning the same thing, were together on the sign; a bilingual message for whoever may be stopping by. And yes the service was slow. Slow but courteous, friendly and warm. The food was great; huge portions and great variety. I had teriyaki pork, eggs over easy, and home fries. Makana had a huge Loco Moco. In the middle of the table we had a large side order of banana bread French toast and bacon. Price good too.
I've always prided myself on being a fast eater, but I have met my match, and he is Makana. I have never seen a Loco Moco disappear so fast. His fork was in constant motion, either on the up stroke or the down stroke. It was like Jack Nicklaus watching Tiger Woods. Awesome eating!
While we were waiting for our food to arrive, Iwie asked us what we expected to get out of this visit to Molokai. We were visiting the Island as representatives of the Social Ministries and Youth Groups of our parishes to see for ourselves the impact that the recession, and the closing of Molokai Ranch, one of the largest employers on the Island, has had on the Island and its people. For over a year we have been involved in projects through the Social Ministry of the Diocese of Honolulu and St. John's Hui O Laulima Ministry in providing material and monetary aid to those in need on Molokai. The consensus answer at the table was that we wanted to put a face on the people and problems that this quiet Island is experiencing. We've read about it, and been told about it, but we wanted to see it for ourselves.
After eating breakfast, we traveled west to the town of Maunaloa to attend the 11 am Mass at St. Vincent Ferrer Church. Maunaloa is the town where the Molokai Ranch is located, so it's probably the highest area or unemployment on the Island. Let me explain how the Catholic Church on Molokai is structured.
The Catholic Church on Molokai is divided into two parishes: Saint Francis Parish in Kalaupapa (where those suffering from Hansen's disease were quarantined) and Blessed (Saint) Damien Catholic Parish (topside Molokai) where we visited. Blessed Damien is made up of three churches, starting on the east end of the Island and moving west are: Our Lady of Seven Sorrows, St. Joseph's, St. Sophia and St. Vincent Ferrer. Both Our Lady of Seven Sorrows and St. Joseph's were built by Father Damien. St. Joseph's only celebrates Mass on special occasions. There is one priest, Father Clyde Guerreiro, ss.cc. of the Sacred Hearts, celebrating Mass at the topside churches. Father Clyde celebrates Sunday Mass at Our Lady of Seven Sorrows on the east end of the Island at 7 am, moves on to St. Sophia in Kaunakakai and celebrates Mass at 9 am and then finishes with an 11 am Mass at St. Vincent Ferrer in Maunaloa. This is the Mass we attended.

As we drove up to the church, I was struck by how small the building is; also, how old it is and in need of exterior repairs and maintenance. I was soon to see how much work and improvements were needed inside the structure as well. This would also be true of the other two churches we visited. I do not mean to insult or criticize the Catholic Church on Molokai by writing this. They are doing what they can with what they have. These are just the impressions of an outsider who sees a need and wants to help fulfill that need.


As we approached, we saw Father Clyde, Deacon Michael Shizuma and three altar boys, standing outside the front entrance of the church, putting on their robes in preparation for Mass. There is not a lot of room inside the building for this. The Mass celebration was quite different from the way we celebrate Mass at Resurrection of the Lord. Some Catholics will tell you that Mass is the same at all Catholic Churches. As a new Catholic, who has attended Mass at several different parishes, I can tell you that aint so. The basic structure is the same, but every parish has their own unique elements of celebration. Three altar boys in such a small church was new for me. (One altar boy tripped at least twice, once while carrying the Consecrated Host, which Father Clyde, in all his gracefulness, bent over and picked up.) The music accompaniment was different too; a guitar player and harmonica player, with old style microphone. All the music seemed to have a country or blues sound to it. Father Clyde later told me that all three of the churches topside had a different feel to them and that this one was like the "wild west". There was also a Baptism interlaced with the Mass, and I have never seen so many Godparents for one baby before. I think I counted eight. Anyway, Father Clyde said that with the five of us and the Baptism, he had never seen so many people at Mass in this church before. For all its quirkiness, I really enjoyed the Mass and felt the presence of The Holy Spirit.

After Mass we viewed the churches food pantry and small office at the entrance. I won't say the food pantry was well stocked, but there was canned goods on the shelf ready for distribution. They also had baby food stocked, but not in great quantity. This gave me my idea to collect baby food, as our monthly collection focus at Resurrection of the Lord, for both Molokai, and those in need on Oahu. Father Clyde informed me that they recently received three Sacred Hearts sisters on the Island and could use some additional filing cabinets. That is being taken care of the week that I write this.
We next went into the small town of Maunaloa/Molokai Ranch to look around. Most of the buildings, including the only gas station on this side of the Island, and the only movie theater on the Island, are boarded up. What is left open is: the General Store (which was closed at the time), Auntie Jan's House of Blessing (which is a free store distributing the items collected and donated from the parishes on Oahu, also closed during our visit) and a kite Shop (which I can't imagine how it stays open with very little business). From there it was on to The Blessed Damien Parishes Social Ministry Meeting at St Sophia Church in Kaunakakai, the main town in the middle of the Island.
The meeting was impressive. It started with potluck and then got down to business. I liked the fact that it was held outside, like our Social Ministry meetings at Resurrection of the Lord have been, and will be from now on. It was attended by Father Clyde and Deacon Michael and had a clear, well defined agenda. What was discussed is not important for this telling, but I came away with a good direction on how the Social Ministry meetings at Resurrection of the Lord can, and should be, conducted in the future. I think this is another reason why Iwie wanted me on this trip.

During the meeting I sensed some friction between the ROL youth, Makana and Carrissa, and a local youth who raised some objections to what our intentions were as far as an interaction between both island's young people. This resistance to our reaching out was probably due to misinterpretation and pride. But it did cause me to reflect that we must constantly reevaluate our intentions and motives, with lots of prayer included.

After the meeting, Makana and Carrissa did have a good conversation with Bo Mahoe, who is a leader of their youth ministry, as well as doing a great job in producing their parish bulletin. Bo pointed out that in this small community the youth ministry wasn't limited to just Catholic youth, but included protestants and, non practicing as well. He further stated that there wasn't a lot for the youth to do on the Island at night and that a good youth organization was important.

After the meeting we strolled along the main street of Kaunakakai, and purchased some of the famous Molokai bread from the bakery. I need money to buy the bread so I headed to the bank down the street, which has the only ATM on the Island. But it was Sunday afternoon and the ATM was down. As it turned out, the bakery took credit cards, at least for one transaction and then the communication failed and it couldn't process any more cards.
Of note in Kaunakakai, there was no MacDonald's, no Starbucks, or any other national chain in town, or on the Island. That's a blessing or a curse; it depends on how you look at it.
We then left Kaunakakai and drove east to visit St Joseph's Church. This is one of two churches built by Father Damien topside, and is only used for special occasions. It is your stereotype small, one room, square church with a bell steeple at the front and a slanted roof; the type that were typical of small country locations in the 19th century. Since it was unattended and the door was closed, we assumed you couldn't go in so we looked around the yard, at the adjacent cemetery, and at the life sized Father Damien stature in the yard. Then I noticed a sign by the door which said "Visitors, please close door when leaving". I tried the antiquated door latch, it opened, and in we went. Although old, the inside of the church was clean and well kept. At the front and to the right of the altar there was a statue of Saint Joseph holding the baby Jesus. On the wall to the left of the altar was an old photograph of Father Damien as a young man in Belgium. There were fresh local flowers on the altar and at the front of the church. This church had a presence of the Holy Spirit. Out of place, and time, at the back of the church was a modern safe with an access keypad and a slot for leaving donations for the Blessed Damien Parish Building Fund.

Visiting Father Damien's Church was a great way to end the day. We left with peaceful hearts and returned to the airport. After a 15 minute flight we were back in the land of shopping malls and traffic jams.

Thank you Iwie and the Diocese of Honolulu for that day. I know that for all of us, Makana, Carrissa, Tess, and myself, that the day will be like a small mustard seed, that when planted becomes a large plant; a plant that will produce great quantities of salt and light.

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