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Holy Innocents History

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Our Hawaiian Heritage
 
On November 30, 1862, the Anglican Church in Hawaii was formally established in Honolulu. On December 14, 1862, Anglican services first came to Maui. Services were conducted in Lahaina by The Right Reverend Thomas Nettleship Staley, the first Bishop of Honolulu, using King Kamehameha IV's translation of the Book of Common Prayer.
 
Holy Innocents’ first church was built in 1872 on a lot diagonally across Front Street from today’s location. The land under today’s church was acquired in 1908 and is rich in Hawaiian historical significance. On these grounds, Hawaii’s last reigning monarch, Queen Lili’uokalani, spent several of her childhood vacation. The site of the sacred island grotto of Moku’ula is nearby, just across Front Street.
 
In 1927, the present church structure was built, along with a vicarage and parish hall. Improvements followed – the church sanctuary was renovated and enlarged in 1966. A new parish hall was built in 1973, and Holy Innocents Preschool was started in the church parish hall in 1974. A rectory addition and new Office/Library Building, was completed in 1980.
  
Holy Innocents' property is steeped in Hawaiian history. Across the street is the site of Moku'ula, where the kings of Maui resided since the days of Pi'ilani Nui (1500s), Maui's first king. When Kamehameha I conquered Maui and the other islands, he made Lahaina the Kingdom's Capital and resided at Moku'ula as did other kings in the Kamehmeha line. The area around the church is where the Ali'i (the great high chiefs) lived. Next  door, to the left of the property as you face the ocean, is the site of the public palace of King Kamehameha III. To the right of the property is the site of Princess Nahi'ena'ena's home.  Holy Innocents' connection to Hawaii's royal history continued after the Capital was moved by Kamehmeha III to Honolulu. Our last queen, Queen Liliu'okalani, spent her childhood summers on our oceanfront with her hanai sister, Bernice Princess Pauahi Bishop. Princess Pauahi inherited all the Kamehameha royal lands and established the Bishop Trust, which to this day funds the Kamehmeha Schools and many other entities that benefit the native Hawaiian people.

The parish also has connections to Hawaii's royal history.  It was established in 1862 after King Kamehmeha IV and Queen Emma wrote to their friend Queen Victoria inviting her to send a bishop to establish the Church of England in their Kingdom.

Blogs about Holy Innocents

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Still the most welcoming place in Maui.
Many years ago when we stayed at Lahaina Shores, we started going to Holy I. We found it to be the most welcoming on the Valley Isle.
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This review covers our visit earlier this month (May 2019). Rev. Amy Crowe, Holy I's priest welcomed us back warmly. The members of the parish make us feel like we are part of their family when we are there.

The building and property itself is of historical significance, in addition to being a comforting house of worship. That includes the artwork on and around the altar.


Outstanding
Beautiful and serene. We took time to attend a Sunday
service, and were pleased with the warm, friendly welcome
we received, and the pastor and helpers provided a good
experience. The doors are often open for anyone to come
in and sit for awhile, which is rare with negative things that
have been happening to churches lately.
Weddings at Holy Innocents
We attended a wedding here at Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church in Lahaina, Maui. Very beautiful church built in the early 1900s. I learned that the original church gave its first service in 1862. Check out the murals and stained glass windows. The grounds actually front the ocean and gave a great view of of the sunset.

Reverend Amy Crowe presided over the ceremony and she was awesome. She also happens to be the vicar, overseeing the church. Reverend Amy is under 40 and a rising star, hip to younger audiences but still locked in with the concept of ohana that is the foundation of our local culture. I can see that she is going to do great things with her congregation.

Holy Innocents' is definitely worth checking out for weddings or worship. I'm confident they can take care of both very well

    In this spot add your remembrances
    that will add to Holy Innocents History.

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Art Work in the Sanctuary:
Created in 1940 by New York artist Delos Blackmar in gratitude for the Church's hospitality.           
The paintings depict important elements of Hawaiian life

Panels on the pulpit depict rare or extinct native birds, left to right: ‘apapane, ‘ou‘ou, ‘i‘iwi, mamo, and ‘o‘o.
They symbolize God's word winging forth from the Christian pulpit.
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Breadfruit, fish and taro – panels on the altar portray the Hawaiian staffs of life and symbolize the body and blood of Christ.
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Painting framing the Church entrance features a hala tree and ti plants, both useful and sacred to the Hawaiians. A Hawaiian rainbow arches over them, symbolizing God’s blessings.
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Stained Glass Windows

Behind the altar – a memorial to early parishioner and community leader Henry Dickenson, Sr. The windows are all that remain from the former church across Front Street. The triptych portrays the baptism, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
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Behind the side altar – dedicated to the memory of long-time parishioner Marion Wright and designed and created by Kula artist Rik Fitch in 1999 Fitch incorporated Marion’s favorite flower, the plumeria, into the design. The window was funded by the Marion Wright Memorial Fund.
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Woodworking:

The Choir pews and kneelers  are made from kamani wood.
The Altar, pulpit and altar rail are made from koa wood.
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Donations of Original Paintings to the Church of the Holy Innocents

Here are photos documenting the history of
​Holy Innocents Church

Look closely you might find a photo of yourself

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If you have photos that would add to this space please send them to office@holyimaui.org.

Quick Links
The Episcopal Church of Hawaii
The Episcopal Church
The Lectionary
​Good Shepherd Episcopal Church
Trinity by the Sea
St. John's Church Kula
A Cup of Cold Water

​

Holy Innocents Episcopal Church
561 Front Street
Lahaina, HI 96761


Church Ph:  808 661 4202
Preschool Ph: 808 667 9058

Church Office:
​office@holyimaui.org


Bookkeeper: holyinnobookkeeper@hawaii.rr.com​
Sunday Worship Service 
 8:30 am with Holy Communion
​and Music
 



  • Home
    • History
    • Music
    • Newsletter
    • Gallery
    • Kahi Maluhia Columbarium and Cemetary
  • Ministries
    • Outreach
    • Stewardship
    • Hospitality
    • Contemplative Prayer
  • Weddings
    • Packages and Pricing
    • Wedding Gallery
  • Preschool
    • Preschool >
      • Preschool Newsletter
    • Hawaiian Cultural Program
  • Art For Sale
  • The Book of Common Prayers