Welcome back to National Parks and other public lands with T!

Aloha➢

My family and I took a cruise around the Hawaiian islands in 2019. We embarked in Honolulu on the island of Oahu. Prior to embarkation, we spent a few days on land and explored Oahu. Using Hilton’s Hawaiian Village as our base, we enjoyed visiting many interesting sites before boarding the Pride of America. We spent a week on board cruising the Hawaiian Islands. Our first port of call was Kahului Harbor on Maui.

After Maui, we sailed to the big island of Hawaiʻi. On the big island we had two ports; the first was Hilo. Next, we sailed around to Kona on the other side of the island. While in port, we visited St. Benedicts, Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, Royal Kona Coffee, Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park, Huliheʻe Palace, & Mokuaikaua Church.

Saint Benedict’s, also known as The Painted Church, is an active Catholic Church in Honaunau on the big island of Hawaii. It was built between 1899-1902 by Father John Velghe. Velghe was a Belgian missionary who sought to convert the native Hawaiians to Catholicism.

Velghe painted frescoes along the interior ceiling and walls of the church for instructional purposes since most of the locals at the time couldn’t read. The murals on the side walls depict various scenes from the Bible.

The murals behind and above the altar create the illusion of a European cathedral with vaulted ceilings, though the church is a simple wooden structure.

Our ‘Best of Kona’ excursion with Norwegian Cruise Lines stopped here first. We were invited to go inside where a volunteer told us about the Painted Church and its history. Then we exited to make way for the next group of visitors.

 

By the front steps is a statue honoring Saint Damien. Fr. Damien de Veuster was also a Belgian Catholic Missionary who ministered to the lepers on Molokai. He ultimately succumbed to the disease himself, passing away the year construction on St. Benedict’s began.

The church and cemetery overlook beautiful Kealakekua Bay. We snapped a few more photos before boarding the tour bus to continue our journey.

Kona Posts➢

• St. Benedicts
• Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
• Royal Kona Coffee
• Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park
• Huliheʻe Palace
• Mokuaikaua Church

Location: 84-5140 Painted Church Rd, Captain Cook, Hawaii
Designation: National Register of Historic Places
Date designated/established: May 31, 1979
Date of my visit: April 17, 2019