Sacred Hearts School holds blessing event for their new campus at Ka‘anapali Resort
The Maui News
WAILUKU–On Friday, Sacred Hearts School in Lahaina, Maui, held a blessing event for their new temporary campus within the Ka’anapali Beach Resort.
Over 150 school and church representatives, project stakeholders, and government officials attended the festivities, marking a significant milestone in the school’s journey in the aftermath of the Lahaina wildfire.
On August 8, 2023, Sacred Hearts School, a ministry of Maria Lanakila Catholic Church, was destroyed in the wildfire, while the church miraculously survived unscathed. Established in 1862, the school has been a steadfast part of West Maui, enduring many challenges over the years. None, however, have been as profound as the wildfires that devastated the community last year.
Within three weeks following the Lahaina wildfire, Sacred Hearts School swiftly established an emergency school site at Sacred Hearts Mission Church in Kapalua, becoming the first Lahaina school to reopen for in-person learning. For the school’s faculty–many of whom had lost their own homes–closing the school was not an option. Utilizing classroom tents with no air conditioning or electricity in the yard and makeshift classrooms in the church’s courtyard, the staff revised their curriculum to accommodate both in-person and virtual learning for grades Kindergarten through High School and focused on creating a safe and nurturing environment.
“We are immensely grateful to our school’s ‘ohana, church parishioners, the Kapalua Resort Association, and the community who supported us during that challenging period,” said Tonata Lolesio, Principal of Sacred Hearts School. “Our 225 keiki needed stability during that tumultuous time, and their parents needed support as they rebuilt their lives. The property surrounding Sacred Hearts Mission Church in Kapalua graciously transformed, helping to create classrooms filled with learning and hope.”
Transitioning to the new Ka’anapali campus, located at 2530 Kekaa Drive, this 2024-2025 school year marks a new chapter in Sacred Hearts School’s history.
Efforts to secure a school site and plan for the new temporary campus at Ka’anapali began in earnest in late 2023. This collaborative effort involved multiple stakeholders, including school officials, the Diocese of Honolulu, Lahaina’s Maria Lanakila Catholic Church, the property’s landowners Rodger and Lisa May of Pineapple Properties, Global Empowerment Mission (GEM), Stable Road Foundation, Ka’anapali Beach Resort Association, and numerous volunteers and community members. Design work began in November 2023, and construction commenced in February 2024.
In addition to the 13 air-conditioned classrooms housed within existing buildings, portable units were added to provide more classroom and multi-use space, a school office, counseling, and maintenance areas. A playground was created, and part of the driveway was transformed into a multipurpose court for basketball, volleyball, and pickleball. Additional improvements included wall art in the three Early Learning Center classrooms and an outdoor seating area for students to enjoy lunch.
Renovations were completed in June 2024. The cost of the Ka’anapali school site, including renovations and lease payments for three years, is estimated at $2.5 million.
With the opening of the new campus in August 2024, Sacred Hearts School remains steadfast in its mission to provide excellence in education rooted in the Catholic tradition for students from Kindergarten to 12th grade. An Early Learning Center for Pre-K students ages 3 to 5 will also be offered, expanding educational opportunities for the community.
“As Sacred Hearts School prepares to embark on this new chapter at Ka’anapali Resort, we are filled with anticipation and hope for the future,” expressed Lolesio. “This move underscores our unwavering commitment to nurturing our students and supporting the broader Lahaina community as it continues to recover from the impact of the wildfire, offering a beacon of hope in these challenging times.”
For those interested in supporting Sacred Hearts School and its mission, opportunities for fundraising and tuition assistance are available. The school’s $4 million Tuition Assistance Campaign is ongoing, with all donations welcome. For more information, visit www.shsmaui.org.