History
The Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, located at the north end of Fort Street Mall in downtown Honolulu, is said to be the oldest Catholic cathedral in continuous use in the United States and one of the oldest existing buildings in the downtown area. It is dedicated under the patronage of Our Lady of Peace because the first Catholic missionaries to the Hawaiian Islands, members of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary gave that title to their first foundation in a new land. The Cathedral stands on land which was given to the missionaries by King Kamehameha III (Kauikeaouli) when the mission was established in 1827. The Cathedral itself was formally dedicated on August 15, 1843. The anniversary is observed on August 16 because the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven is celebrated on August 15.
Specialties
The Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace is the oldest dedicated Cathedral in continuous use in the United States today and is the Mother Church of the Catholic Faithful in Hawaii. Not only is the Cathedral Basilica home to the relics of both St. Damien and St. Marianne of Molokai, it also houses both the oldest clock tower and one of the oldest pipe organs in Hawaii. Many have come to to the Cathedral Basilica for peace, serenity, and a place to connect with God.