Hawaii

Not storedMore...

Hawaii
subdivision_name	Hawaii
Country, allowed values=United States	United States
continent	North America
region	Polynesia
area_sq_km	16637
population	1446146
catholic_population	289000
catholic_percentage	20
rank_among_religions	1
official_languages	English • Hawaiian
capital_city	Honolulu
date_catholicism_introduced	1827
catholicism_status	Largest single Christian denomination
ecclesiastical_provinces_count	0
dioceses_count	1
patron_saints	Saint Damien of Molokaʻi • Saint Marianne Cope
historic	No
Diocese 1, type=Page, deprecated=Use dioceses_count and links in prose
Diocese 2, type=Page, deprecated=Use dioceses_count and links in prose
Diocese 3, type=Page, deprecated=Use dioceses_count and links in prose

Hawaii (Hawaiian: Hawaiʻi) is an archipelago and the 50th state of the United States, comprising eight main islands in the central Pacific Ocean, with a land area of 16,637 square kilometres. As of July 1, 2024, its population stands at 1,446,146, centred on Oʻahu, home to the capital and largest city, Honolulu. Official languages are English and Hawaiian. The economy thrives on tourism, military bases, and agriculture, notably pineapple and macadamia nuts.

The Catholic Church in Hawaii, with approximately 289,000 adherents (20% of the population), forms the largest single Christian denomination. Catholicism arrived on July 7, 1827, with French missionaries of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts, enduring initial persecution before the 1839 Edict of Toleration. Patron saints Saint Damien of Molokaʻi (canonized 2009) and Saint Marianne Cope (canonized 2012) ministered to leprosy patients at Kalaupapa. Key sites include the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace and the sacred peninsula of Kalaupapa.

Geography

Hawaii spans eight principal islands—Hawaiʻi (the Big Island), Maui, Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Niʻihau, and Kahoʻolawe—plus numerous atolls, covering 16,637 square kilometres of land amid vast ocean. Volcanic in origin, the islands feature dramatic landscapes: active volcanoes on Hawaiʻi Island, Haleakalā crater on Maui, and lush rainforests on Kauaʻi. The tropical climate supports pilgrimage routes, such as trails to Kalaupapa on Molokaʻi, accessible only by mule, hike, or air, enhancing its aura of sacred isolation.

History

Polynesian voyagers settled Hawaii between the 3rd and 7th centuries. European contact began with Captain James Cook in 1778. Catholicism arrived in 1827 amid Protestant dominance; missionaries faced expulsion until French naval pressure secured toleration in 1839. The Diocese of Honolulu was erected in 1941. Saints Damien and Marianne transformed leprosy care at Kalaupapa (1866–1969), where 8,000 patients were exiled.

Demographics

Hawaii’s 1,446,146 residents (2024) reflect diverse ancestry: 37% Asian, 25% White, 24% two-or-more races, and 10% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander. Catholics number ~289,000 (20%), concentrated on Oʻahu and among Filipino and Portuguese descendants, making Catholicism the largest denomination amid growing non-affiliation.

Catholic church

The Catholic Church in Hawaii belongs to the single Diocese of Honolulu, a suffragan of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, with 66 parishes and 23 missions serving six islands. Bishop Clarence Silva leads the diocese, which operates 20 elementary schools, six high schools, and Chaminade University.

Structure

Hawaii lies entirely within the Diocese of Honolulu (Latin: Diœcesis Honoluluensis), erected 1941, covering 16,637 square kilometres.

• Diocese of Honolulu (Honolulu) – encompasses all islands; no suffragans.

Introduction of Catholicism

Catholicism was introduced on July 7, 1827, when three priests of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts arrived aboard La Comète, celebrating the first Mass on July 14 in a grass hut. Initial baptisms followed, but persecution forced expulsion until the 1839 Edict of Toleration.

Key historical events

• 1827: First missionaries land; Mass celebrated.
• 1839: Edict of Toleration grants religious freedom.
• 1843: Dedication of Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace.
• 1873: Saint Damien volunteers for Kalaupapa.
• 1883: Saint Marianne Cope arrives with sisters.
• 1941: Diocese of Honolulu erected.
• 2009 & 2012: Canonizations of Damien and Marianne.

Catholicism status

Catholicism is the largest single Christian denomination (20%), enjoying full freedom in a secular, multi-faith society. Historically persecuted, it flourished through immigrant waves (Portuguese, Filipino) and now contributes via education and healthcare.

Administrative structure

The first-level administrative subdivisions are the primary geographical and administrative units into which Hawaii is divided for purposes of governance, regional organization, and local administration. Hawaii comprises five counties: Hawaii (Big Island), Maui (including Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi), Honolulu (Oʻahu), Kauaʻi (including Niʻihau), and Kalawao (Kalaupapa peninsula).

Predecessor entities

Hawaii emerged from the unified Kingdom of Hawaii (1795–1893), annexed as the Republic of Hawaii (1894–1898), then Territory of Hawaii (1898–1959).

Successor entities

Hawaii became the 50th U.S. state on August 21, 1959.

Cultural influence

Festivals and traditions

Catholics celebrate Saint Damien (May 10) and Saint Marianne (January 23) with Masses, processions, and lei-draped statues; Filipino Santacruzan processions flourish on Oʻahu.

Education and charity

The Church operates 26 schools educating 7,000 students and charities like Hawaii Catholic Community Services.

Art and architecture

Coral-block Cathedral Basilica (1843) and “Painted Churches” like Star of the Sea (1928) feature vibrant murals of biblical scenes amid tropical motifs.

Notable Catholic sites

Pilgrimage sites

Kalaupapa National Historical Park (Molokaʻi), leprosy settlement of Saints Damien and Marianne, draws pilgrims via guided mule rides; annual bishop-led tours.

Historical churches

Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace (Honolulu, 1843), oldest U.S. cathedral in continuous use; Saint Benedict’s Painted Church (Big Island).

Saints and blesseds

Patron saints

Saint Damien of Molokaʻi and Saint Marianne Cope, patrons of outcasts and Hawaii.

Associated saints and blesseds

• Saint Damien of Molokaʻi (1840–1889), priest; canonized 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI for leprosy ministry.
• Saint Marianne Cope (1838–1918), religious sister; canonized 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI for continuing Damien’s work.

Hagiographic tradition links early missionaries, but only Damien and Marianne are canonized.

Challenges to Catholicism

Secularization, declining affiliation, and historical leprosy stigma persist; the Church responds through youth ministries and interfaith dialogue.

Social and political influence

The Church advocates for life issues, immigrant rights, and environmental stewardship, rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, via schools and lobbying.

External links

• "Roman Catholic Church in the State of Hawaii". Diocese of Honolulu. https://www.catholichawaii.org/. 
• "Catholic Dioceses in Hawaii". GCatholic.org. http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/diocese/hono0.htm.