Trinity Episcopal Church by-the-Sea

HISTORY
David Malo Church (Outdoor Sanctuary) - Historical Site

David Malo

In 1852, under the supervision of its architect and builder, David Malo, Kilolani Church was completed. The original building was constructed from hand-hewn coral blocks and river rock with a wooden beam thatched roof and blown glass windows. David Malo was the third Native Hawaiian to be ordained in the Christian ministry. Within a year of the church's completion, David Malo died on this site - October 21, 1853. His body was taken by canoe to Lahaina for burial atop Mt. Ball overlooking his beloved alma mater, Lahainaluna School. 

To read more about David Malo and a full transcript of his book, Hawaiian Antiquities, click HERE.

Following his death the Kilolani congregation dispersed. It is believed that around 1893, during the overthrow of the monarchy, the church was set afire in rebellion against those sympathetic to the U.S. takeover. Not long after that, around 1900, a 100-year storm caused flooding from Kula which devastated the remaining walls of the church building.

The church, now in ruins, sat vacant for over a half century with only one attempt at revival. However, in the fall of 1976 the small Episcopal congregation of Trinity by-the-Sea brought the ruins to life as the Diocese of Hawaii welcomed them into the Episcopal Church. The Rev. Norman C. Ault, a retired priest, served as the Mission's first Vicar, taking Sunday services and pastoral duties. After much hard work by members of the congregation, the ruins once again turned into a sanctuary and on December 5, 1976, the Rt. Rev. Edmond L. Browning, Bishop of Hawaii, presided over the Dedication Service.

n 1979, the growing congregation called the Rev. Morley Frech, Jr., to be its first full time Vicar. Over the next twenty years, the congregation attained Parish status in 1986, added the Stations of the Cross, completed a successful capital campaign resulting in the construction of Kilolani Hall and the Ault Sacristy, which were dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Donald P. Hart, Bishop of Hawaii on February 10, 1991.

Kilolani Hall & Ault Sacristy

Columbarium & Memorial Garden

On February 10, 2002 the Columbarium and Memorial Garden were dedicated. Following the retirement of the Rev. Morley Frech, Trinity was excellently served in 2007/2008 by Interim Priest, the Rev. David K. Kennedy. In November of 2008, Trinity welcomed the Rev. Austin B. Murray from St. Stephen's Church in Waretown, N.J. as Priest-in-Charge.

Lihue Cemetary

Lihue Cemetery adjoins the church and dates back to circa 1832, as best we know. The rows of rocks are markers for the old Hawaiian graves, whose occupants remain unknown, while the marked graves are from the twentieth century.