Photos by Anna Weaver | Hawaii Catholic Herald

St. Anthony Parish in Kailua celebrated a “groundbreaking” on Aug. 26 after the 8:30 a.m. Mass to mark the beginning of extensive renovations to the church. St. Anthony School was renovated and rewired last year in the first part of the $4.5 million parish improvement undertaking, called Project Makawao, after the name of the street the church stands on. The church overhaul will include a new roof, steeple repair, venting skylights, upgrades of lighting, sound and wiring, and other interior refurbishment.

Enjoying a laugh together at the ceremony, from left, are associate pastor Oratorian Father Jim Moran, Bishop Silva, the pastor Father Dennis Koshko, deacon Ernie Carlbom, Furr, architect Tim Newberry and construction manager Fray Heath.

With Bishop Larry Silva at right, Project Makawao chairman, Chuck Furr, invites ceremony attendees to recite, “St. Anthony of Padua, pray for us.”

An artist rendering of the church’s refurbished interior.