NKCC

*Original article published on July 24, 2011 bulletin.

Dear Parishioners,

Everyone knows that we put the church and parish center out to bid in May. The bids came back in June just as scheduled. Generally, the bids all came in within the same range. I realize that you have been expecting to hear the name of the General Contractor and news about groundbreaking.

I have been working with the architect and “low bidder.” One thing we know, however, is that St. Michael’s does not have the money now to build and finish either a church building or a parish center. Before any construction begins, there is extensive site work needed on St. Michael’s property. I can only do what your donations permit me to do.

For the five million dollars that is available for construction, we can do the site work with connections for water, gas, electrical, sewage and drainage systems and we can do the bare-bones construction of the steel framing of a church and parish center buildings, each with a roof. As pledges and other donations come in we will build the church. That will require an additional three to four million dollars. It may take years.

The Diocese has very clear guidelines about construction of churches and other buildings on Church property. On behalf of St. Michael’s, I am following these policies.

As a parish, the people of St. Michael’s have to decide what they want and figure out how to achieve it. I am here to help, but I can only work with what you give me. I assure you of updates as we have them.

Peace in Christ,

There are six Construction firms now preparing bids to build our new Church.  On Tuesday, May 17th, the bidders gathered at St. Michael’s to walk the property.  The names of the six companies are the following:  Allied Builders System; Heartwood Pacific; Isemoto Contracting; Keauhou Kona Construction Corporation (KKCC); Ledcor Construction Hawaii; and Metzler Contracting.

All bids must be delivered to Fr. Lio in a sealed envelope by Friday, June 17th.  The selection is scheduled to be made on or before Friday, July 1st.  Ground-breaking will be in mid-August on a day that Bishop Larry is available to come to Kona—barring any unforeseen problem.

- taken from the announcements for the week of May 22, 2011

Fr. Lio speaks in front of the Planning Commission.

PRAISE GOD! Thank you to all who attended the Public Hearing.  Thanks also to those who were unable to attend but supported us by your prayer.  We received approval of our Special Management Area (SMA) application from all members of the Planning Commission including the Director of the Planning Department.  Your display of solidarity was very inspiring. You made it clear to all that we DO want and need our new church building.

Our NKCC ohana waits in the lobby for the hearing.

We can bathe in the light of this success, but soon, we’ll have to face once again the challenge of raising enough money to build this structure. You can see from the renderings that the proposed church is not elaborate in any sense; however, even simplicity does not come without sacrifice.

Peace in Christ,
Fr. Lio