Holy Innocents History
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.
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.
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.
