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The Diaconate in the Diocese of Honolulu

The permanent diaconate in the Diocese of Honolulu had its beginnings in 1978 when the late Bishop John J. Scanlan, then apostolic administrator of the diocese, gave permission to begin a class of formation in September 1978. Under the direction of Sulpician Fr.  Ed Hogan, the first deacon formation class began a three-year formation process.

After six months, a new director, Fr. Bartholomew O’Leary, was appointed to head the program. Shortly after his appointment, he recruited Sister Jeanne Anne Colis, CSJ, to be the associate director. The two held these positions for the next ten-plus years. Sister Jeanne Anne left her position in 1988 to assume responsibilities with her order, and Fr. Bartholomew retired in 1989 due to health reasons, after guiding three classes through the formation process and ordination.

In 1988, Deacon Wallace “Wally” Mitsui and his wife Gwen Mitsui were appointed co-directors for the fourth formation class. To assist them on the weekends, they organized a core team of five deacons and their wives, a priest, and the widow of a deacon. After the ordination of this class, Deacon Wally and Gwen resigned the co-directorship to assume other parish and diocesan ministries.

In 1992, Deacon Bill McPeek and his wife Flo McPeek were appointed co-directors and held the positions until after the ordination of the sixth class. They also had a core team to assist them on the weekends.

In 2008, Deacon John Coughlin and his wife Kathleen Coughlin were appointed co-directors beginning with the seventh formation class for the diocese.

In 2024, Deacon Keith Cabiles and his wife Hazell Cabiles were appointed co-directors beginning with the eleventh formation class for the diocese.         

 

Class #1 had eight men ordained in December 1981, by Bishop John J. Scanlan.

Class #2 had ten men ordained in December 1984 by Bishop Joseph A. Ferrario.

Class #3 had thirteen men ordained in June 1987 by Bishop Joseph A. Ferrario.

Class #4 had eight men ordained in June 1991 by Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo.

Class #5 had eighteen men ordained in June/July 2001 by Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo.

Class #6 had seventeen men ordained in January/February 2007 by Bishop Larry Silva.

Class #7 had thirteen men ordained in January 2015 by Bishop Larry Silva.

Class #8 had ten men ordained in January/February 2018 by Bishop Larry Silva.

Class #9 had thirteen men ordained in January/February 2021 by Bishop Larry Silva.

Class #10 had eight men ordained in January/February 2024 by Bishop Larry Silva

As of January 1, 2026, there are 59 deacons in active ministry and 28 senior/retired deacons in the Diocese of Honolulu.

In 2011, Deacon Clarence DeCaires was appointed as the first Director of Permanent Deacons for the Diocese of Honolulu by Bishop Larry Silva and reappointed in July 2018 for another six years.

 In 2020, Deacon Michael Weaver was appointed as the second Director of Permanent Deacons.