State deputy Randy Tom, left, and state secretary Lito Alvarez, right, congratulated Father Boniface Sakala after he received the Blessed Michael McGivney award at the Knights of Columbus’ annual banquet and awards presentation May 11 at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii. (Courtesy Cam Datanagan)

By Robert Camilleri
Special to the Herald

On May 11 at St. Stephen Diocesan Center in Kaneohe, state deputy Randy Tom gaveled to order the Knights of Columbus’ 45th annual Hawaii State Council convention. Delegates from councils across Hawaii were in attendance.

Earlier that day, Sacred Hearts Father Stephen Banjare celebrated the opening convention Mass for Knights and their families. During his homily, Father Banjare spoke about the importance of Knights building “cohesive relationships in supporting one another in light of” their service as members of the Knights of Columbus.

After the opening ceremonies, Tom gave his report on the state of the Knights of Columbus in Hawaii.

A video message from Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly was shown to the delegates. In his message he recounted, with video highlights, his visit to Denver’s Annunciation School to present winter coats to the students through the Knights of Columbus Coats for Kids program.

To the surprise of the students, Kelly, in celebration of the 1,000,000th winter coat given to kids since 2009, presented first grader Lexi Cordova with a gold-colored winter coat.

Michael Benson, the supreme council representative for Kelly at the convention who is also a member of the supreme council board of directors and a former supreme warden, presented his report which included highlighting the good works of the Knights in Hawaii, with a special emphasis on local Knights’ work in the aftermath of the Lahaina wildfire.

Benson also echoed Kelly’s words on the importance of recruiting new members when he emphasized that when a man joins the Knights of Columbus, “we get the man; when we get the man, we get the family; when we get family, we get the parish.”

During the afternoon session, the annual election of state officers for the 2024-2025 fraternal year was held.

The delegates elected the following Knights to their respective offices:

• State deputy Randy Tom, Kamiano Council 11743
• State secretary Lito Alvarez, St. Jude Council 12733
• State treasurer Larry Gonzales, Bishop Stephen Alencastre Council 6307
• State advocate Will Castillo, Immaculate Conception Council 6734
• State warden Joshua Kapika, St. Michael Council 16741

After a final prayer, Tom adjourned the Hawaii State Council convention.

Fellowship and celebration

In the evening, Knights and their families gathered at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii for the annual banquet and awards presentation.

With 150 people in attendance, the banquet started with the presentation of the colors by the fourth degree color corps and ended with the singing of the national anthem, the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of Hawaii’s anthem, “Hawaii Ponoi.”

Following the opening ceremonies, Father Boniface Sakala, district friar of the district of Hawaii fourth degree, said the opening prayer. A delicious buffet dinner was served after the prayer.

Tom presented the banquet’s keynote speaker, Adm. Samuel J. Paparo Jr., with a crystal plaque and offered our prayers for the admiral’s success as a Knight and a military leader.

During a special presentation, state secretary Lito Alvarez presented a donation of $3,850 to Special Olympics Hawaii from the Knights of Columbus supreme council to Dan Epstein, chief operating officer of Special Olympics Hawaii.

Alvarez also made the following fourth degree award presentations:

• Most new members: Mike Victorino, Helio Apostle of Maui Assembly 2290
• Most active honor guard: Patrick Guzman, Bishop James Sweeney Assembly 1826

The following star assemblies were named:

• Bishop James Sweeney Assembly 1826, George Leong
• Michael the Archangel Assembly 2938, Dennis McCartin
• Damien Assembly 3221, Carl Vincent
• Kamiano Assembly 3894, Randy Tom

Tom also presented the Hawaii State Council Faith in Action awards:

• Faith Award: sacramental gifts, ladies auxiliary, St. Ann Council 14620
• Family Award: “Keep Christ in Christmas — Journey to the Inn,” St. John the Apostle and Evangelist Council 14663
• Community Award: medical and wheelchair mission, Immaculate Conception Council 6734
• Life Award: respect for life, support for two Sisters of Life, Kamiano Council 11743
• Blessed Michael McGivney Award: Father Boniface Sakala, St. Jude Council 12733
• Family of the Year: Bob Noguchi’s family, St. Ann Council 14620

The banquet and awards presentation ended with a benediction offered by Father Sakala.