(This page was last updated: 08/06/2026.)

Current Status:   It's official! Consents have been received and the formal announcement made via The Episcopal Church's Office of Public Affairs HERE.  We look forward to Bishop-elect Libby Berman's consecration and ordination on November 14! In the meantime, Bishop Bob's Farewell Tour that kicked off on June 13 wraps up this month. Go to the Upcoming Events section further below for more information and to RSVP for upcoming events in your area. 
Click on the Quick Link buttons below to go to that section on this page:

IT'S OFFICIAL! CONGRATULATIONS BISHOP-ELECT LIBBY BERMAN!

Congratulations to our Bishop-Elect, the Rev. Elizabeth "Libby" Berman! She was elected during a Special Meeting of the Convention on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 'Iolani School in Honolulu and officially announced by The Episcopal Church on Thursday, June 18, 2026, after having received a majority of consents of bishops and standing committees throughout The Episcopal Church! ​

WATCH THE RECORDED LIVESTREAM OF THIS HISTORIC EVENT:

(This is the edited version with downtime & breaks removed.)
Read the Special Edition Chronicle full-feature article of the Special Meeting of Convention HERE or click on the button:

Upcoming Events:

TIMELINE CHART 2025 & 2026
Click on image for larger view:
Vertical Divider
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
View below or click HERE to download a pdf file.

Let's Celebrate!

Bishop Bob is fond of saying that he is resigning “for reason of advanced age,” and as we count down the days, he plans to visit the islands from June – August to be with the people of the Diocese. We are calling these informal gatherings “Bishop Bob’s Farewell Tour.”  (Please see the flyer for dates and locations.)

Although there will be a more formal diocesan farewell reception in October, these gatherings are potluck, casual, in a more intimate setting, simply to fellowship and enjoy each other’s company.  If you can’t join the celebration with your church’s region, you are more than welcome to join another one.

We ask that you RSVP HERE so the host church has an estimate of how many people to expect.  If you can’t or forget to RSVP, please still attend!

​There will also be scrapbook pages for you to write a message to Bishop Bob (and Bea), share a memory, and/or paste a photo.  If you cannot attend, you can upload your message and/or photo using the same online RSVP form above.

Feel free to copy the flyer or download a pdf version HERE, and be sure to share it in your bulletins and newsletters. If you have any questions, contact Rae Costa HERE.
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Profile of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i

View the profile in magazine format below, or click HERE to download & view the file in a lower resolution version.  (Updated 02/05/2026). )

THE  CANDIDATES

On Monday, March 23, 2026, the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i announced the final slate of candidates presented for election of our Sixth Bishop. Following the Search Committee's presentation of two candidates on March 12, the Standing Committee added a third candidate during the seven-day "Nomination by Petition" period which closed on March 19. 
(Candidate by Search Committee)
The Rev. Canon Andrew J. Arakawa
Lower School Chaplain, ʻIolani School
Honolulu, HI
(Candidate by Petition)
​The Rev. Elizabeth "Libby" Berman
Rector, Church of the Holy Nativity 
Honolulu, HI
(Candidate by Search Committee)
The Rev. Timothy J. Yanni
Rector, The Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist, ​ Phoenix, AZ
PRAYER FOR THE SEARCH FOR OUR NEXT BISHOP:  Gracious and loving God, we seek your provision as we search for the next bishop for the Diocese of Hawai'i. Help us recognize your divine plan and call a leader who will shepherd us along that path, a bishop who will embody and foster in us the wonders and excitement of discipleship. Grant us the wisdom to elect a bishop who will journey with us through challenging times and bring us ever closer to your eternal dream for humanity. Keep the Standing Committee, Search Committee and Transitions Committee focused on their mission, providing them with strength and determination to seek guidance from the Holy Spirit and to hear the voices of all the people of the Diocese. Finally, send your gracious Spirit to the members of the Convention of our Diocese who in faithful discernment will elect the next bishop. We ask all of this in the name of your Son, our loving Savior and ever-present Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Amen.
 
The Special Meeting of the Convention to elect the Sixth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i, took place on Saturday, May 16, 2026, in the brand new Arrillaga Student Center dining hall at 'Iolani School.  Read all about the meeting in a Special Edition Chronicle HERE.
VENUE: 'IOLANI SCHOOL, ARRILLAGA STUDENT CENTER & MAPS
We are thrilled to be utilizing 'Iolani School's newest building, the Arrillaga Student Center, for this Special Meeting of Convention. For those who have attended prior Conventions at 'Iolani, the Student Center is located between Seto Hall and St. Alban's Chapel. Click HERE to learn more about this beautiful facility!
Click on the maps of the campus below for a larger view. The second map is cropped with details of the locations we will be utilizing:
SPECIAL MEETING OF CONVENTION SCHEDULE
7:30 AM - Credentials and Registration Opens
(Continental Breakfast - Under the tent next to St. Alban's Chapel)

8:00 AM - Convention Eucharist in St. Alban's Chapel

9:00 AM - Credentials and Registration Closes

9:30 AM - CONVENING OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF CONVENTION
(Breaks and a 30-minute Lunch Break to be announced)

The length of the meeting is based upon the outcome of the voting, but will not go beyond 4:00 PM.
If no election occurs before 4:00 PM, the Bishop will inform the next steps and recess for the day.
VIDEOS: CHECK-IN PROCEDURE & MEETING INFORMATION (WHAT TO EXPECT)
Let's get checked in and ready to vote! 
Special Meeting Procedures: What to expect!
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Bishop Fitzpatrick's Announcement:

The Right Reverend Robert L. Fitzpatrick, fifth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i, formally announced his resignation on Friday, April 25, 2025, calling for the election of the Sixth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i.

​In addition to his video message, a copy of the Bishop's official letter of resignation is available to view and download HERE. ​The letter contains important information including a timeline for the next 18 months as it pertains to the search process and transition to a newly elected Bishop. (Please note that the timeline in his letter has since been updated.)​

News & Update Links:

This section lists all Diocesan communication pertaining to the search and transition with links to recorded meetings and documents; the most recent listed first. Click on the linked article titles to read. If you would like to receive the Diocesan news directly to your inbox, sign up HERE.
READ MORE
 
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Recorded Meetings & Documents:

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CONVENTION TO ELECT THE SIXTH BISHOP OF THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF HAWAI'I
Saturday, May 16, 2026, 'Iolani School, Honolulu, HI - This is the livestream of the meeting, with breaks and extended downtimes removed.  
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CONVENTION WORKBOOK:
2026_sm_workbook.pdf
File Size: 2290 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
APRIL 23-26, 2026: KE ALOHA KĀ​KOU CANDIDATE MEET & GREETS
Posted here are the recorded livestreams of the Ke Aloha Kākou Meet & Greets that took place around the Diocese:
Thursday, April 23, 2026 - All Saints', Kapa'a, Kaua'i
Friday, April 24, 2026 - Good Shepherd, Wailuku, Maui
Saturday, April 25, 2026 - St. Timothy's, Aiea, O'ahu
Saturday, April 25, 2026 - The Cathedral of St. Andrew, Honolulu, O'ahu
Sunday, April 26, 2026 - Via Zoom, Guam & Saipan
Sunday, April 26, 2026 - Hawai'i Preparatory Academy Chapel, Waimea, Hawai'i Island
Click HERE to download a copy of the packet for the Ke Aloha Kākou Candidate Meet & Greet events. 
SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2025: VIRTUAL TOWN HALL
The Diocese's first virtual Town Hall Meeting for the Search & Transition took place on Saturday, May 3, 2025. The recorded session and accompanying slideshow presentation are shown below:
JULY 14, 2025, LETTER TO CHURCHES WITH QUESTIONNAIRE
A letter was sent to clergy, wardens, and church administrators about communication pathways available during this information-gathering stage of the Bishop Search and Transition Process. This included a questionnaire each church has been asked to complete. The letter and the accompanying questionnaire can be viewed HERE.
 
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Your Standing, Search & Transitions Committees:

Picture
June 2025 retreat with the Rev. Anne Kitch (with lei) and the committees, at The Cathedral of St. Andrew.
STANDING COMMITTEE:
Chuck Spence, President (Maui)
Joan Sokei-Vila, Secretary (Maui)
The Rev. Jazzy Bostock (O‘ahu) 
Mary Carpenter (O‘ahu) 
The Rev. Mark Haworth (O'ahu)
The Rev. Keleawe Hee (O‘ahu) 
Hans L'Orange (Hawai'i Island)
The Rev. Andrew McMullen (Kaua‘i) 

Mahalo to the previous members who were a part of the search process: Doug Adams, Bill Bonnet, and the Rev. Hau'oli Tomoso.​
SEARCH COMMITTEE:
​Sheryl Seaman, Chair (O‘ahu)
The Rev. John Lunn, Chaplain
The Rev. Dcn. Alberta Buller (Hawai‘i Island)
Joseph Cascio (Maui)
The Rev. Amy Crowe (Maui)
Pam Fern (O‘ahu)
The Rev. David Gierlach (O‘ahu)
The Rev. Hannah Sung (O'ahu)
Jadine Lujan  (Guam)
Sara Nyoma (Kaua‘i)​
The Rev. Dcn. Mary Margaret Smith (Kaua‘i)
Evette Tampos (Hawai‘i Island)
Mahalo to the the Search Committee who completed their task on March 12, 2026.
TRANSITIONS COMMITTEE:
​Roth Puahala, Chair (O‘ahu)
The Rev. Keleawe Hee,
Vice Chair & Co-Chaplain (O‘ahu)​
The Rev. Paul Nahoa Lucas,
Co-Chaplain (O‘ahu)
The Rev. Karen Swanson,
Co-Chaplain (O'ahu)
The Rev. Dcn. Lani Bowman (Hawai‘i Island) 
Aggy Kusunoki (O'ahu)
Velma Lee (O‘ahu)
The Rev. Canon Irene Egmalis Maliaman (Guam)
Deann Megonnell (Kaua‘i)
Brian Shuster (Maui)

Mahalo to the Rev. Libby Berman who served as Vice Chair and Co-Chaplain for the past year.
If you have questions for any of the different committees, send it using the contact button shown. Once received by the Search & Transition Administrative Assistant, your question will be directed to the proper committee/person for a response. 
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