This Special Edition Chronicle is an abbreviated version of the full-coverage article on Convention 54 that can be found on the Diocesan News website HERE. The complete article also contains links to meeting documents, handouts, videos presented, tons of photos, comments and updated responses. It also includes the activities that took place on Friday's Education Day: The Plenary session, workshops, the Queen Lili'uokalani play, Convention Eucharist, and the Aloha Reception with the Bishop's Cross presentation. To go directly to the full-coverage article now, click on the button below.

Pictured in the header at top is the "new face" of Diocesan Convention with the blue glow of electronic devices emmanating throughout Seto Hall. Clergy and delegates were required to have an electronic device in order to vote and access the online workbook.

The approved 2023 Budget will be posted soon on the Forms and Documents page of the Diocesan website HERE, and the Meeting Journal will be posted on the Past Meetings of Convention webpage when finalized and approved.

​On October 21 and 22, 2022, the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i met in-person for this year's Education Day and 54th Annual Meeting of Convention held at 'Iolani School in Honolulu. It had been three years since clergy and delegates came together in person for convention, having met online for the past two.

One word that comes to mind when describing this year's Annual Meeting is JOYOUS! Although Friday's Education Day was filled with activity, learning, and celebration, there was something uniquely different about Saturday's gathering that departed from the "business as usual" vibe.

​Of the past twelve Diocesan Conventions that this reporter has covered, the energy and spirit that flowed throughout was unlike previous years. There was a signifcant buzz of excitement as clergy and delegates arrived. Masks were required but folks still hugged, laughed, and socialized freely. It was a scene of fellowship... of cheer... of a family coming together... and perhaps, underlying it all, was the realization that we really really missed being with each other in person.

Conventions held at 'Iolani School can pose logistical challenges for Diocesan Support Center staff and volunteers, but the venue is bright, spacious, modern... and we love the numerous stalls in the restrooms! Food and refreshments are handled by the school's contractor which helps to alleviate some of the responsibility that usually falls on staff or volunteers.

Convention 54 also included an Education Day with a plenary session led by the Diocese's Reconciliation Task Force, followed by afternoon workshops, a play about Queen Lili'uokalani, the Convention Eucharist, and an Aloha Reception with the presentation of the Bishop's Cross. We begin the wrap-up with Friday's Education Day in its abbreviated form.

Convention 54 kicked off on Friday, October 21, with a full day of activity scheduled that began with the Plenary Session in Seto Hall.  The theme for Education Day was Peace & Reconciliation, and was led by the Diocese's Racial Reconciliation Task Force. They introduced a new course and curriculum called Difference, that is being adapted to Hawai'i's unique culture through supplemental Hawaiian sessions called Hō'imi Pono.

The Difference course is part of the Reconciling Leaders Network (RLN) and the Archbishop of Canterbury's Reconciliation Ministry, to help people and churches navigate a fractured world with three goals: 1. Be Curious!, 2. Be Present!, 3. Reimagine!

The Convener for the Task Force is the Rev. Andrew Arakawa, and the Chair for the Curriculum Committee is Dr. Joseph Eppink. Dr. Eppink is also the organist and Director of Music at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, so it was no surprise that the session was filled with prayer and the singing of hymns, with Eppink accompanying on the piano.

Interactive exercises required folks to respond to questions on post-it-notes that were then posted around the room. The questions were not simple. They required one to think deeply about the struggles we face both in our community and within ourselves. In another exercise, all attendees were asked to form a circle around a globe set upon a stand. The globe was made by Aunty Mary Sueoka (Epiphany). She modeled the globe after a map designed by Lahaianluna students who, in 1839, created a map where the Pacific Ocean was centered and not Greenwich in England. The design signifies how, as a sphere, we are all connected. It also signifies that our center, or piko, is here in Hawaiʻi, and does not come from some structure placed upon us from the outside. Folks were then asked to "reimagine" our Diocese, our congregations, and ourselves, and to write these thoughts onto the post-it-notes that were then placed at the foot of the globe. 

After lunch, two workshop were offered:

COOL CONGREGATIONS - Travis Idol, President of Hawaii Interfaith Power and Light (HIPL), led one of the afternoon sessions. HIPL is the Hawai'i affiliate of Interfaith Power and Light (IPL), a nationwide system of organizations who share the purpose of educating, guiding and providing tools to households and congregations to reduce their carbon footprint. To assist homes and churches with reduction, he presented a process from IPL titled “Cool Congregations.” He had also assembled a team of representatives from local companies that addressed energy solutions.

THE PALESTINIAN-ISRAELI CONFLICT FROM A CHRISTIAN PALESTINIAN'S PERSPECTIVE - ​In St. Alban's Chapel, Jonathan Kuttab, a well-known international lawyer, and co-founder of the Palestinian human rights group Al-Haq, and co-founder of Nonviolence International, led the second afternoon workshop. Kuttab spoke passionately about the state of affairs in the Middle East and the worsening Israeli-Palestinian issue. Pulling from his book, Beyond The Two-State Solution, Kuttab shared that the two-state solution is no longer viable. He spoke about a way forward for a one-state solution that challenges both Zionism and Palestinian Nationalism, and how it might work. The session ended with a question and answer period.

The Convention Eucharist took place in St. Alban's Chapel, with the Bishop serving as Celebrant and folks from around the Diocese taking part in the annual event. Cathedral Verger, Roth Puahala, led the procession with an oli, accompanied by torchbearers Jeanne Cooper and Laura La Gassa. Puahala was also the cantor for the Psalm. Mary Carpenter and Lot Lau served as the readers, and the sermon was delivered by the Rev. Canon Brian Grieves.

Joining the Bishop at the altar were Assisting Priests: The Revs. Andrew Arakawa and Jenn Latham; and Deacons: The Ven. Steve Costa, the Rev. Deacons Lani Bowman and Robert Steele. Presenting oblations were the Rev. Mark Haworth and Jill Haworth, and assisting with the distribution of the Eucharist were Bea Fitzpatrick and the Revs. Christopher Golding and Brianna Lloyd.

Immediately following the Convention Eucharist, folks gathered in the neighboring tent for the Aloha Reception and enjoyed a fabulous Hawaiian buffet. During the Aloha Reception, the Bishop presented the Bishop's Cross awards. ​The Bishop's Cross award is an honor given to individuals for their faithful service to the Episcopal Church and community, and is actually a beautiful koa box engraved with the Bishop's Cross.

This year there were six recipients, three of whom were able to pick up the award in person during the Convention's Aloha Reception. They were John Decker, Cordelia Burt, and Ivan Lui-Kwan. Accepting the award on behalf of Louise Aloy was the Rev. Moki Hino, and on behalf of the Rev. Mahi Beimes were her former Waiolaihui'ia classmates, the Revs. Paul Nahoa Lucas, Keleawe Hee, and Hau'oli Tomoso.

The Rev. Canon Dr. Winifred Vergara was also a recipient, who had received his award in September during his retirement party in Minnesota. The Rev. Irene Egmalis Maliaman presented it on behalf of the Bishop. To learn more about each of the recipients whose work in the Episcopal Church and their communities has been invaluable, visit the Diocesan website HERE.

From the moment delegates and clergy arrived Saturday morning, there was a marked difference in the atmosphere from previous annual meetings, especially among clergy, some of whom hadn't seen each other in person since the pandemic began. But it was just the beginning of a day that would elicit tears and cheers from highly emotional testimony and the joyous energy that filled Seto Hall.

The meeting convened promptly at 8:45 AM by Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick. The Rev. John Hau'oli Tomoso gave the opening prayer followed by the customary announcements, housekeeping rules, and introductions. Seated on stage were the Rt. Rev. Robert Fitzpatrick, Bishop and President of the Convention; Wayne Yoshigai, Chancellor; Evette Tampos, Dispatch of Business Chair; and the Rev. Annalise Pasalo, Secretary.

Jill Haworth, the Credentials Committee Chair, gave the Quorum Report. Her report also included the meeting's first emotionally charged moment of the day that had attendees on their feet cheering and clapping. Her husband, the Rev. Mark Haworth, was recently installed as the Vicar for the Diocese's newest congregation, Hālau Waʻa Episcopal. With a trembling voice filled with emotion, Jill proudly announced, "Bishop, on behalf of the Credentials Committee, I move that the newly constituted Mission, Hālau Waʻa Episcopal, Hono‘uli‘uli Ahupua‘a, Oʻahu, be admitted to this Convention and that the Delegates be seated with voice and vote."

With the Bishop's final confirmation, the crowd rose to their feet in applause as the delegation made their way down the aisle and to their seats. ​

Regular orders of business followed with Evette Tampos going over the appointments to committees and adoption of the agenda. Annalise Pasalo went over the nominations and ballots that would be voted on.

BUDGET - The Proposed Budget for 2023 was quickly adopted with no discussion.

RESOLUTIONS - Going into the meeting there were two resolutions up for consideration:

Both were passed, although there was some discussion and testimony regarding Resolution #2. Opinions expressed included that politics should be kept out of the Church; wording needed to be further defined; where would the resources come from; while those in favor pointed out that this was not the Church telling people who to vote for, but getting people educated to vote as their civic duty.

In a post-Convention reflection, the Bishop addressed Resolution in a special message that can be viewed HERE.

ELECTRONIC VOTING - This year, the Annual Meeting went electronic! Churches and attendees were told to have access to an electronic device (laptop, tablet or cellphone) in order to view the workbook and to vote. ​

Election Runner was introduced at Convention 54 as the electronic means for voting. During the pandemic, voting was done through Zoom which eliminated the need for paper ballots and the time-consuming human element of counting. Voting was speedy and accurate. This prompted organizers to seriously consider electronic voting for all future meetings. It would, however, require training and all voting members to have an electronic device.

Danny Casey, the Controller for the Diocese, oversaw the electronic voting process, and the results were stellar! Training sessions were offered and a recorded session was posted on the Diocesan website for those who couldn't make it. The training video was also shown before the meeting started for anyone who needed it. ​Fatima Houchens and Mike Esposito were on hand to offer assistance at a table that was set-up with several laptops for anyone who was having issues with their devices. Voting went smoothly and despite the usually dreaded "third-round" ballot that popped up, it was painless with Election Runner.

To view the text version of the Bishop's Convention Address, click HERE or on the button above.

Special Orders of Business were presented throughout the day.

GENERAL CONVENTION DEPUTIES' REPORT - The Diocese's deputation team that attended The Episcopal Church's 80th General Convention in July, reported on their activity and experiences at the triennial event (although it was postponed a year because of the pandemic). An informative slideshow explained what General Convention is all about and highlighted the resolutions that directly impact our Diocese. They encouraged others to get more involved in this aspect of church governance. Deputies took part in committees and issues that they are actively involved in, such as Social Justice, Racial Reconciliation, Creation Care, and Evangelism.

Providing heart-felt testimony and the meeting's second emotional high-point of the day, was Archdeacon Steve Costa's resolution in honor of Queen Lili'uokalani. It is hoped that the collect will be included in the Church's Lesser Feasts & Fasts. The beautifully written collect has successfully moved on to the next step. Both the collect and the team's slideshow presentation can be found in the full-coverage Convention 54 article.

CAMP MOKULE'IA CELEBRATES 75 YEARS - There was no one better equipped to help battle off the after-lunch coma, than Camp Mokule'ia's Assistant Director, Lynea Mitchell, joined by her husband Kyle. They invited attendees to get up and take part in a lively "dance" that was likely shared with many young campers.

The couple was introduced by the Rev. Canon Brian Grieves, who served as the Camp's Director for 10 years, and continues to be one of its staunchest supporters.

Camp Mokule'ia recently celebrated its 75th anniversary with a gala event in September. They shared a taste of that celebration with delicious cupcakes for everyone, decorated for the occasion. Their presentation included a special video that can be viewed by clicking on the image shown.

HĀLAU WA'A EPISCOPAL - The Rev. Mark Haworth, Vicar of the Diocese's newest congregation, Hālau Waʻa Episcopal, talked about the concept of wa'a or small ministries, that is changing the way they worship and gather in West O'ahu. To view the video that accompanied his presentation, click HERE or on the image shown.

At each Annual Meeting, a display is created for those in the Diocese who died during the church year (September through August). The display bears the names of the departed and their church. This year, windmills were set up in the grassy lawn fronting Seto Hall, each with the name and church of a beloved member. After the meeting, folks could take the individual windmills back to their churches. (Windmill photo by Sonny Liu)

​Because the past two meetings were online, videos were shown in place of a physical display. We continue this new tradition for all in the Diocese to view and remember those that have passed. Click HERE or on the image to view this year's video.

With several Conventions and a number of large Diocesan events already under her belt, the Diocese's Operations Manager, Rae Costa, knows what she's doing and has things under control. As the main event coordinator for the Diocese for the past several years, she has been responsible for the great success of those events, both in-person and online. At the beginning of the year, it was hoped she could lessen her load with the hiring of a new staff person, but it didn't pan out. With the late start, Rae jumped right back in to organize another great Convention!

Of course Rae doesn't do it alone, and alongside her is the small but tight-knit Diocesan Support Center team who works tirelessly on behalf of the Diocese. Denise Esposito, the Bishop's Executive Assistant, has her responsibilities down pat, and Danny Casey, the Diocese's Controller, took on the challenge of introducing electronic voting at the Annual Meeting. He, along with Elections Chair Jeanne Cooper by his side, were able to successfully launch Election Runner at this year's Annual Meeting. Head to the Diocesan news website to read the full write-up HERE.