Ordained

ORDAINED POSITIONS: TRANSITION MINISTRY

What You Need to Know About Serving in Hawai'i

Ordained ministry in Hawai‘i is a special call. Any location has its challenges, but serving in Hawai'i brings an additional set of advantages and tradeoffs that must be given serious consideration.

We inhabit islands in the middle of the Pacific in especially multicultural surroundings. Some congregations began to serve a particular ethnic group, but have since evolved to include a mix of people of, perhaps, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Samoan, Hawaiian, Filipino, Mexican, and European descent.

Though small - 35 Churches, 3 non-parochial schools, a camp, a prison ministry, and a regional houseless ministry - and rural, with miles of open spaces on five islands, we also reflect urban life. Approximately 80% of Hawai‘i’s Episcopalians live in the metro area of Honolulu.

Cost-of-living is a significant challenge for both the people of Hawai'i and those looking to relocate here. For those discerning a move to Hawai'i, please consider calculating your potential cost-of-living in Hawai'i relative to where you are living now using a tool such as the one at https://www.nerdwallet.com/cost-of-living-calculator.

For all inquiries about discerning ministry in the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai‘i, unless the position specifies otherwise, please contact the Rev. Cn. Alexander Graham.

Visiting Clergy Program

A clergyperson (deacon, priest, or bishop) is given temporary permission to serve at a particular congregation for up to three months. The responsibility varies, but is typically just Sunday supply. See the page "Come Serve in Hawai‘i Short-Term" for additional information.

How to Apply: To apply for any Visiting Clergy opening, please see the Short-Term page for the required documents. If you have any questions regarding the Visiting Clergy program, please contact the Rev. Cn. Alexander Graham.

All applications and packets are received in the Diocesan Support Center.

CHURCHES /INSTITUTIONS IN TRANSITION:

For information related to the search for our next bishop, click HERE.

St. Elizabeth, Pālama (O'ahu)

Full-time Priest-in-Charge/Rector (due to our context, we don't use Interim Rectors unless there is particular need; in lieu of that traditional process, the choice of the vestry is first appointed a Priest-in-Charge, and after two years the priest and vestry both discern if this should be a Rector call. In the last ten years, every Priest-in-Charge has been elected Rector)

Status: Receiving names. Profile can be found to the right, just below the map image.

St. Elizabeth 2024 Profile
File Size:	7819 kb
File Type:	pdf

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Grace, Ho'olehua (Moloka'i)

Part-time Vicar. Vicarage and parish car included. Life and ministry on Molokai'i are incredibly rewarding and also challenging. We live on an island with a population of around 7,000, and a flight is required to reach larger population centers like Honolulu or Kahului. Reaching out to others is a big part of life on our island, and we're looking for a Vicar who enjoys meeting everyone who comes through our doors - whether it's for worship, the Thrift Store, Food Bank, or Saturday Market - and who can encourage our small congregation to not just keep going, but truly thrive in the community.

Status: Receiving names. Profile can be found to the right, just below the map image.

Grace 2025 Profile
File Size:	1835 kb
File Type:	pdf

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Holy Apostles, Hilo (Hawai'i)

Full-time Priest-in-Charge/Rector (due to our context, we don't use Interim Rectors unless there is particular need; in lieu of that traditional process, the choice of the vestry is first appointed a Priest-in-Charge, and after two years the priest and vestry both discern if this should be a Rector call. In the last ten years, every Priest-in-Charge has been elected Rector)

Status: Search Committee formed June 2025. Receiving names likely late Summer/Early Fall 2025.