Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Honokaʻa: A Quiet Sanctuary on Hawaiʻi Island

Joel Abroad, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Honoka‘a, Big Island, 2013 - License

Tucked into the upland town of Honokaʻa on Hawaiʻi Island’s Hāmākua Coast, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church is one of those small, steady places of faith that quietly anchor a community. Set along Plumeria Street, the church sits just above the old plantation-era main road, where life still moves at a gentler rhythm. It was quite a surprising yet deeply moving discovery. I never expected to find Our Lady of Lourdes in a tiny, near-isolated, Hawaiian town.

A Parish Rooted in Local Life

Though modest in size, Our Lady of Lourdes is a deeply active parish. Daily and weekend Masses draw a faithful local congregation, many of whom trace their families back to Honokaʻa’s sugar plantation days. The parish offers early morning weekday liturgies, weekend Masses, and regular opportunities for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament which is an important part of its spiritual life.

The church also maintains a strong ministry presence: religious education for children, homebound visits, a parish gift shop, and a warm culture of prayer for the sick. These small but meaningful acts reflect the spirit of a rural Catholic community where everyone knows one another and faith is lived in practical, everyday ways.

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The Little Grotto Behind the Church

Just behind the church sits a small outdoor grotto dedicated to Our Lady. It is simple, weathered, and deeply loved. It’s the kind of place parishioners visit on their way home from work or after morning Mass, pausing for a quiet Hail Mary beneath the shade of the plumeria trees. The statue of Mary stands sheltered in a stone alcove, surrounded by flowers left by local families. It isn’t grand, but it carries the tenderness of a community that has prayed here for generations. For visitors, the grotto offers a moment of stillness, a place to breathe in the cool Honokaʻa air and rest in the gentle presence of Our Lady.

A Parish Preparing for Its Centennial

Our Lady of Lourdes is approaching a milestone: its 100-year anniversary in 2026. The parish has already begun a multi-year centennial journey remembering its past, honoring its present, and envisioning its future. This long preparation speaks to the parish’s deep roots in Honokaʻa and its desire to celebrate not only a building, but the generations of families who have prayed, served, and grown here.

Traditions That Bind the Community

Among the parish’s most beloved events is the Annual Holy Ghost Feast, a celebration blending Portuguese Catholic tradition with Hawaiʻi’s multicultural heritage. Processions, music, and shared meals bring the community together in a way that feels both old-world and distinctly local.

The parish also participates in island-wide events such as Big Island Youth Day, encouraging young people to deepen their faith and build friendships across Hawaiʻi Island.

A Place of Peace in a Historic Town

Honokaʻa itself is a town of wooden storefronts, rolling pastures, and ocean views that open suddenly between the hills. Visiting Our Lady of Lourdes feels like stepping into the heart of this community, quiet, humble, and welcoming.

For travelers exploring the Hāmākua Coast, the church offers a peaceful stop: a place to light a candle, whisper a prayer, or simply sit in stillness before continuing the journey toward Waipiʻo Valley or Hilo.

Why This Little Church Matters

In a world that moves quickly, small parishes like Our Lady of Lourdes remind us of the beauty of steady faith. They are places where devotion is lived quietly, where traditions are kept alive, and where the presence of God is felt not in grandeur, but in the gentle constancy of a community gathered in prayer.

The Road to Hāna: Why This Journey Still Captivates Us

 

The big deal about the Road to Hāna is that it isn’t just a drive, it’s one of the most storied, sensory, culturally rich journeys in all of Hawaiʻi. Travelers talk about it like a pilgrimage, and locals regard it as a living thread of history.

There are places in Hawaiʻi that feel less like destinations and more like invitations that are gentle reminders to slow down, breathe deeply, and return to the rhythm of the islands. The Road to Hāna is one of them. Winding through 64 miles of rainforest, cliffs, waterfalls, and ancient valleys, it remains one of the most soulful journeys in the Pacific.

A Drive That Refuses to Be Rushed

With more than 600 curves and dozens of one‑lane bridges, the Road to Hāna forces you to surrender your pace. You can’t hurry it. You will go through misty gulches, past wild ginger and guava, under canopies that filter the light into soft green. Travelers often describe the drive as meditative, a rare experience where the senses take over and the mind finally quiets.

A Glimpse of Old Hawaiʻi

Long before it became a bucket‑list drive, this route was a lifeline for East Maui communities. It follows the spirit of Piʻilani’s ancient Alaloa, the “long road” that once connected fishing villages, taro patches, and families who lived close to the land. Even today, the journey feels like stepping into a quieter Hawaiʻi, one where fruit stands, homesteads, and small churches still anchor the landscape.

A Living Thread of Culture and Community

The Road to Hāna is more than scenery. It’s a living, breathing reminder of how deeply Maui’s people are tied to place. Waterfalls feed taro fields. Trails lead to sacred sites. Families who have lived here for generations still gather, farm, fish, and care for the land. To travel this road with respect is to honor the communities who keep its stories alive.

A Journey That Nourishes Body, Mind & Soul

There’s a reason people return to this drive again and again. It awakens something with the cool shock of a waterfall pool, the scent of rain on the canopy, the taste of warm banana bread, the hush of black‑sand beaches. It’s a journey that reminds us how to be present, how to move slowly, how to let beauty work on us.

A Note on the Centennial

This year marks 100 years since the modern Hāna Highway was completed in 1926, a milestone that adds quiet significance to the journey. What began as a rugged engineering feat has become a pilgrimage, a century‑long thread connecting past and present, ancient footpaths and modern travelers, resilience and renewal. It’s a beautiful moment to reflect on how the road continues to shape, protect, and inspire East Maui.

Hibiscus Oil: A Hawaiian Elixir for Beauty, Balance, and Aloha Healing

 

There are certain botanicals in Hawaii that seem to hold the islands’ quiet heartbeat. Soft, radiant, and full of gentle strength. Hibiscus is one of them. Known in Hawaiian as kōkio, this flower is more than a symbol of beauty. It reflects feminine vitality, renewal, and the kind of healing that comes from nature’s most tender gifts.

Hibiscus oil is not usually a true essential oil. It is most often a hibiscus infused oil, created by steeping the petals in a carrier oil such as coconut, sunflower, or jojoba. This makes it safe for skin use and allows the plant’s nourishing qualities to shine through. In Hawaiian inspired wellness, hibiscus oil is valued for its ability to soften, restore, and bring a sense of calm to both body and spirit.

The Spirit of Hibiscus in Hawaiian Tradition

In Hawaii, hibiscus blooms along pathways, near the shoreline, and in gardens where the breeze carries their scent. The flower is often worn behind the ear or woven into leis as a sign of welcome and warmth. It represents:

- Feminine grace and vitality

- Gentle strength

- Beauty that rises from within

- An open hearted presence

Hibiscus is also associated with the rising sun. It symbolizes new beginnings, fresh energy, and the quiet hope that each day carries.

What Makes Hibiscus Oil Special

Hibiscus infused oil is known for its ability to nourish the skin and soothe the senses. It is sometimes called the “Botox plant” because of its natural firming and rejuvenating qualities.

Benefits for the Body

- Supports collagen production

- Softens fine lines and dryness

- Helps even skin tone

- Hydrates without heaviness

- Soothes redness and irritation

- Strengthens hair and adds shine

Benefits for the Mind

- Calms emotional tension

- Encourages a grounded, feminine presence

- Helps release stress and mental fatigue

- Supports a peaceful, heart centered mood

Benefits for the Soul

- Invites softness and self compassion

- Encourages renewal and fresh beginnings

- Connects you to the beauty of creation

- Brings a sense of island serenity into daily life

A Hawaiian Inspired Hibiscus Ritual

Aloha Hibiscus Anointing Oil

Use a hibiscus infused oil or a properly diluted hibiscus essential oil. Essential oils should always be blended with a carrier oil before touching the skin.

- Place a small amount of hibiscus infused oil on your fingertips.

- Close your eyes and take one slow breath.

- Gently press the oil into your face, neck, or heart area.

- Whisper a simple intention: 
  “May I move through this day with softness, beauty, and grace.”

- Let the scent and texture remind you of warm breezes, soft petals, and God’s quiet healing.

This ritual is especially lovely before prayer, journaling, or a peaceful evening wind down.

A Touch of Hawaii in Every Drop

Hibiscus oil feels like a small blessing from the islands. A reminder that healing does not need to be dramatic. Sometimes it is as simple as a flower, a scent, or a moment of stillness.

It reflects everything beauty, simplicity, devotion, and aloha. A gentle, feminine way to care for the body, calm the mind, and nourish the soul.

A Note on Blood Pressure and Safety

Hibiscus tea is known for its ability to lower blood pressure. Hibiscus infused oils used on the skin do not act the same way. The compounds that influence blood pressure are present in tea when consumed internally, not in diluted topical oils.

Anyone who tends to run on the low side may prefer to begin with light, occasional use. As with any botanical product, discontinue use if you feel lightheaded or unwell.