Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, Honolulu

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace stands as one of the relatively rare cathedrals in Hawaii. It holds the significant role of being the central church for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu and dates back to the era of Hawaii's early missionaries. Its construction was finalized in August 1843. When Libert Boeynaems took charge of the cathedral, he had grand aspirations of transforming it into a Gothic masterpiece, akin to those found in Europe. Under his guidance, the first renovation took place, which included the addition of an intricate porch on the front, the removal of the wooden spire, and the replacement of it with a concrete bell tower. These alterations, however, were short-lived, as Stephen Alencastre, upon assuming the role of bishop in 1926, decided to revert the cathedral to a different style, one that has persisted to the present day.

The inception of the Cathedral was not without its challenges. For a considerable period, Roman Catholics in Hawaii faced persecution from influential Congregational and Presbyterian ministers with close ties to the royal family. Eventually, the Hawaiian government issued an Edict of Toleration, allowing the Roman Catholic missionaries to obtain a piece of land for their cathedral. The resulting structure is a Romanesque cathedral constructed from coral stone blocks and embellished with materials such as acacia koa, marble, plaster, and terra cotta. Noteworthy features include seventeen stained glass designs, statues of saints, and an array of religious artwork that holds appeal for both Catholics and non-Catholics alike.