Our Parish

Watch the dedication of St. Michael the Archangel Church here, courtesy of Big Island Video News.

The Mission of St. Michael the Archangel was founded at the time of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi on our beautiful church grounds just a short walk away from Huliheʻe Royal Palace. The priests of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary established our faith community on July 5, 1840, with the first permanent church building having been completed in 1850.

Our parishioners are a rich mosaic of many cultures and customs. We respect, honor, nurture, and preserve the aloha of the local native culture that endears so many people to come and experience the Hawaiʻi style of living that distinguishes our island home. We are happy to welcome people of all backgrounds and faiths to our parish ʻohana, where we live out our Catholic faith with the ALOHA of the Lord Jesus Christ. ALL are always welcome at St. Michael!

St. Michael’s Church, taken from the choir loft / balcony. Must be the early 1990s; Deacon Bill McPeek to left of altar.

Our parish includes St. Michael the Archangel Church in Kailua-Kona, and our four historic mission churches: Immaculate Conception Church in Hōlualoa, St. Paul’s Church in Honalo, St. Peter by-the-Sea in Kahaluʻu, and Holy Rosary Church in Kalaoa. These picturesque mission churches serve our communities mauka to makai on the western slopes of Hualālai and Mauna Loa mountains in the North Kona Coast vicinity.

Our current St. Michael Church building was dedicated by Bishop Clarence “Larry” Silva with the Pastor, Fr. Konelio “Lio” Faletoi, on March 25, 2015 (see photos on Facebook here). It broadly resembles the historic 160 year old lava rock and coral stone building it replaced (one of the oldest in all Hawaiʻi) that was irreparably damaged by the October 15, 2006, Kīholo earthquake that ravaged Hawaiʻi Island – also closing our St. Paul Mission Church building (c.1864) in Honalo due to major structural damage there as well. It took years of our community gathering under a tent to celebrate the sacraments before we could raise the funds needed to erect the church that stands once again on the royal coastline in the heart of Kailua town. The Lord did provide for us and we now enjoy our “hana hou” praising God in our beautiful church on the same historic grounds on Aliʻi Drive – all for the greater glory of God!

On February 23, 2023, Bishop Larry and Fr. Lio dedicated our Grace Parish Center with meeting rooms, administrative offices, and certified kitchen. The name “Grace” not only signifies the abundant gifts God has poured out upon our parish ʻohana, it is also a tribute of gratitude to God for a very special person, Grace Wilsey. Grace, through the grace of God, has defied the odds of a rare genetic disorder (NGLY1 Deficiency) and continues to inspire each of us to live life fully alive with faith, hope, and love.

St. Michael the Archangel is a Parish that embraces a stewardship spirituality that sees everything in our lives as a gift from God that should be returned to God in service. We love the apostolic faith we have been handed down and entrusted to live out. We cherish the splendid beauty of the rites and traditions of the Catholic Church that St. Augustine calls, “ever ancient, ever new.” Our parish serves over 1,400 households with 50+ active ministries, and a steady stream of visitors – many who return year after year and become our hānai family. Together we pray and offer our time, talent, and treasure back to God in gratitude to feed the hungry, quench the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, visit the sick, ransom the captive, and bring the hope and mercy of Jesus to all we encounter. Don’t be afraid to get involved and join us as we work to build Godʻs Kingdom in our midst prayerfully!

As you browse our website, we hope that you will discover a bit about who we are. Above all, we hope that you will visit us, join in our worship of God and service to our neighbors, and enjoy your time with us in paradise. We hope you will journey with us as we strive to grow as intentional disciples of Jesus Christ, living out our faith and trust in God through stewardship, by serving others with the love of Christ.

Please visit to pray with us and participate in the Sacred Liturgy at any of our churches. See you soon!