Kahului Hawaii Temple
President Russell M. Nelson announced plans to construct the Kahului Hawaii Temple at the October 2023 General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Kahului is located about 25 miles east of Lahaina, where a devastating wildfire consumed communities and took dozens of lives in August 2023. Eighty homes belonging to members of the Lahaina 1st and 2nd wards were destroyed. Flames came within feet of the two chapels. The Church has provided substantial aid in support of relief efforts.
Lory Aiwohi, who serves as the stake Relief Society president in the Kahului Hawaii Stake, felt God’s love for her people in the temple announcement. “We are deeply humbled and filled with gratitude for this wonderful news of a temple on Maui! Talk about ‘beauty for ashes’ (Isaiah 61:3)!” she wrote in a text message. “Personally, I feel Heavenly Father’s love and awareness for us, the Saints on Maui, and our needs, especially at this time. For many years, the Maui Saints have shown unwavering faith by sacrificing and traveling to Oahu and Kona to attend the temple with their families. So grateful for a prophet who receives divine inspiration. We are all rejoicing on both sides of the veil as this long-awaited day and announcement has finally arrived.”[1]
The Kahului Hawaii Temple will be the third temple in the Hawaiian Islands. The Kona Hawaii Temple, which is currently undergoing a major renovation, was dedicated in 2000, and the Laie Hawaii Temple was dedicated in 1919.
Latter-day Saint missionaries first arrived in Hawaii in 1850. Today, nearly 75,000 Church members make up around 145 congregations with more than 4,500 on the island of Maui.
Elder Ronald A. Rasband traveled to Maui with his wife, Melanie, his granddaughter Haylie Chase, and Elder Mark A. Bragg, General Authority Seventy and president of the North America West Area. Elder Rasband ministered to members and friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in personal visits and during a special stake conference of the Kahului Hawaii West Stake on Sunday, February 11, 2024. As part of his ministry in Hawaii, he led leadership training and meetings with young adults in Laie and a devotional at BYU–Hawaii.
“I felt strongly to say this blessing. As you keep the commandments of the Lord, I bless you that you will prosper in this land. This land, on Maui.”
Elder Rasband said the Saints can prepare for the house of the Lord coming to Maui — announced by Church President Russell M. Nelson in October 2023 general conference — by holding a current temple recommend and doing family history work.
“I will promise you today in the name of the Lord that if you do this, you will in fact be prepared for when this temple opens its doors.”[2]
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Location
The Kahului Hawaii Temple is currently in the planning stages. No location has been announced.
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