Beneath a large screen displaying the coast off Kalawao where Blessed Damien first set foot on Molokai, Sacred Hearts Father Clyde Guerreiro speaks to the sell out crowd at a benefit banquet for Molokai’s Blessed Damien Parish Aug. 16 at the Koolau Golf Club in Kaneohe. The gala event, which included historic displays, a silent auction and entertainment, was organized to raise money to build a new church to replace St. Sophia’s in Kaunakakai. Father Guerreiro, the pastor, hopes the new church — to be named after Father Damien — will be up by Christmas of 2011. Blessed Damien Parish encompasses all of “topside” Molokai and includes three other smaller churches spread over the island. Left, gala organizer Iliona Honig dances the gala’s final number “Prayer.”

To donate to the cause, call Maria Sullivan at (808) 553-5181 or visit www.damienchurchmolokai.org.