Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, Fire

Lahaina's historic downtown core and many adjacent properties were destroyed by a fire started during a windstorm on August 8, 2023.

We mourn not only the over one hundred lives needlessly lost, but also the many historic properties that were destroyed, including the Episcopal Church of the Holy Innocents, where my wife Lani van der Linden Johnson, and I were married fifty years ago in 1973.

The church was original built in 1927 from the design prepared by Honolulu architect William D'Esmond. The side aisles were add in 1959.

As architectural historian Don J. Hibbard wrote in the SAH Archipedia entry of the church, "Although modest, the Gothic Revival building's open, scissors-trussed interior is handsomely appointed. Paintings by Delos Black-mar of New York, executed during a 1940 visit, adorn the rear wall, pulpit, and altar and depict Hawaiian birds and flora, as well as a Hawaiian Madonna and child. The front and rear stained glass windows came from the building's predecessor, a church of 1872 which once stood across the street. The pews are of kamani and the chancel is finished in koa."

It is unclear whether the congregation will decide to rebuild the church, I am trying to locate any original drawings that may remain. I have searched all the archives that I know of that may hold architectural drawings, but have not turned anything up yet. I am also trying to contact D'Esmond's descendants.