09/27/2026
Aloha St John's Members and friends!
With deep gratitude for my time at St. John's Maui, I share the news that I am taking a new position as the Priest in Charge at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church in Kailua on Oahu. Mahalo!
September 25, 2026
Transition news: an important message from the Rector
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
Aloha mai kākou,
There is a time for everything
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 reminds us that there is a season and time for all things in life. There are also seasonal ebbs and flows in church life as well. I quoted from this text because we will be entering a season of transition as I write to share news with you that the time has come for me to depart St. John’s.
First off, I want to say that I am truly appreciative for the aloha that has been extended to me by the St. John’s ohana. I have had many memorable experiences serving the parish, and feel blessed and humbled to have served as your priest at St. John’s. St. John’s is a wonderful parish, and holds an important place in the history of Maui and the Diocese of Hawaii. It can be assured of a promising future exemplifying the best of the Episcopal tradition in the Hawaiian islands along with a dash of Hakka/Southern Chinese influence. I came to St. John’s with little background or knowledge about Hawaii and had only been to Maui once prior to my interview visit in 2022. The last four years has been one of invaluable learning for me, especially in attempting to plumb the deeper meaning of aloha. The lessons came in great part from observing and being part of the web of relationships that bind people together here. Mahalo to the many people who taught me so much about island life and about living here on Maui.
Last September, I returned from sabbatical with an unexpected but real sense of unease. While I dearly love and appreciate the quiet and serenity of living and working upcountry, I began to wrestle with being so far from conveniences and also from opportunities to gather with people, both professionally and socially. A feeling of isolation grew. However, not wanting to rush or be hasty about a major move, I made the decision to take at least a year to prayerfully reflect upon and discern the increasingly insistent nudge of the Spirit. Towards the end of year-long period of praying and in consultation with my spiritual director, longtime friends as well as with the Diocese, it was time to consider applying to other parishes. Around this time, a Honolulu area parish which seemed like a strong fit in a suitable area had an opening. Long story short, I want each of you to know that I have been called to and have accepted a position of Priest in charge at that parish, St. Christopher’s Episcopal church in Kailua located on Oahu’s Windward coast. This is not easy news to share. For some of you who saw this unfolding, this will not be a surprise. For others this will come as a complete surprise. I want to say to everyone that I will truly miss serving here and being with the members of this parish. At the same time, I am also very excited about beginning a new hopeful chapter in my life and work as a parish priest.
The past four years
These years have been eventful. After a relatively quiet first year, we have encountered a series of challenges, including the wildfires, the surprisingly devastating Kona Low Storm and, most recently, the effects of Hurricane Lala. Looking back, I spent a lot of time and effort along with many of you offering monetary and pastoral assistance to wildfire victims from both Lahaina and Upcountry. Our ability and inclination to help others was a hugely important element of our response to those in need. I am very proud that we made helping those vulnerable after the fires (and later storms) our kuleana. Closer to home, as a last resort choice, given that property is far out of my area of expertise and while not even living on the church grounds, I oversaw our recent remediation efforts aimed at improving the function and safety of our buildings and grounds.
Since 2022, weather-related challenges have consistently impacted our ministry here. As I write this letter, we have yet another major weather system forming in Nolo and others behind to come still. However, it is also important to take in a fuller picture and sweep of our mutual ministry. Our time together has never been solely about disasters, disaster response and disaster preparedness. Over the last four years, in the face of fierce headwinds and dealing with nearly constant setbacks to the Upcountry community and to Maui in general, we have managed to grow our membership, attendance and pledge base. And happily, we have seen the growth of new members and folks considering joining St. John’s. In addition:
*Despite a number of flareups and outbreaks in infections among members and staff, we continued emerging from Covid tide well. We added live streaming for those unable to join in person.
*We have undertaken significant and meaningful updates and repairs to the Rectory and the six rooms downstairs. Mahalo to Fun 2,3 who updated the big room as well as to many St. John’s members and the Diocese, who funded repairs to the other rooms. This refurbished space will soon be ready to welcome a new tenant and our own ministries.
*We continue to be a pillar and backbone of ACCW and our Food Pantry client base has grown significantly. After a long period of faithful leadership by Laurie Guard and her team, the Community dinner is currently on hiatus but may return in some form in the future.
*We celebrated our 125th year with a number of events capped off by a joyful party attended by the Bishop, the Canon to the Ordinary and the Dean of St. Andrew’s Cathedral.
*Under John Rowehl’s guidance, the choir has been steadily growing. At its finest, our choir is supplemented by guest singers and instrumentalists at Easter, Christmas and other special services.
*A new Peace and Justice group has begun to meet in order to study issues and organize responses.
* This year, our finances have been impacted by the loss of the tenant, the property repair costs (both expense and capital items) and, as of this week, the cancellation of the Kula Festival, but have potential to return to solid ground.
*We have bid farewell to a number of beloved members both those who have moved away and also those who have passed on to greater glory. We have also seen transitions occur in a number of important ministries. I offer my thanks to all those who have served faithfully but who themselves are entering a new season of their ministry and lives
A personal thank you
I appreciate and remember the sympathy extended to me by a number of members after my Father’s death in Los Angeles. I am also grateful for the concern expressed after my auto accident last year and for the time away on sabbatical, the first of my time as a priest. Also, I offer a heartfelt mahalo to those who opened their homes to me when I needed to be out of the Rectory for an extended time, while repairs were undertaken. All these things were important expressions of your care and concern for me in challenging circumstances.
Moving forward
I will be working closely with the Wardens and Vestry to help ensure a smooth transition. My resignation is effective November 29, and my final Sunday service and last day as celebrant and preacher will be a month earlier on October 25. From now until October 25, I will hold final meetings as needed and finish up updating and organizing of my files and notes for my eventual successor. Following that date, I will be taking unused vacation and continuing education and plan to depart Maui sometime in late November. After my departure, by church canon law, Maren will be in charge of the parish with the support of the Vestry and Janet Makua in the office. You are in good hands with Maren at the helm. I know and trust that the parish will rally around the leadership.
St. John’s is blessed with a one-of-a kind location, experienced lay leadership, a host of faithful and observant members and the church enjoys the good will and support of the wider community as well as the Diocese. The future promises many exciting prospects for St. John’s. I believe the parish will be well positioned, after a period of parish discernment, to eventually welcome a new priest with open arms.
I will be required to refrain from any pastoral duties after my last day, which means I will soon not be able to officiate at any weddings, baptisms or funerals here. In addition, following Diocesan policy, I will not be able to visit the parish for a minimum for a year after a successor is found. Thankfully, in the interim, we are blessed with many wonderful and experienced priests on Maui and in the Diocese, who can fill in, lead services, offer pastoral care and help move us forward in other ways.
Most of all, please know that I will always fondly remember the warm bonds of Christian affection and shared goodwill forged here and I will be holding each of you in my prayers. I do hope and trust that you will keep me in your prayers as well. God bless each of you during this time of transition into the next chapter of life at St. John’s.
Mahalo ke akua for our time together. Me ka mahalo nui,
George+
