Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Catholic Church

Located in Kaluaʻaha across from Niʻaupala Fishpond, Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Church stands as one of Molokaʻi's most significant historic churches. Originally built in 1874 under the leadership of St. Damien, it is one of only two of the seven churches he helped establish on Molokaʻi that remain standing today.

Before the church was built, Father Damien recognized the need to serve the growing Catholic community on Molokaʻi's "topside." In an 1873 letter to his superiors, he described traveling for two days across the island to minister to approximately 200 scattered Catholics, baptizing both adults and infants while preparing to build a chapel and priest's residence at Kaluaʻaha. He wrote: "We are preparing ourselves to build a chapel and a presbytery in the principal area of the island where the mission has a good piece of land [Kaluaaha]."

Damien later described the construction of the church in another letter: "During the summer, I went to another part of this island, where I remained four months, in the character of carpenter, putting up a new church, 44 feet long, 22 wide, with 10 Gothic windows and a tower 50 feet high." His hands-on involvement reflected his lifelong commitment to serving the people of Molokaʻi both spiritually and practically.

Although the church was rebuilt in the early 1960s, the new structure carefully preserved the character, proportions, and architectural style of Father Damien's original design. The crucifix remains the focal point of the sanctuary, while a large wooden cross overlooking the ocean serves as the site of the parish's annual Easter Sunrise Mass. Today, Our Lady of Seven Sorrows continues to be an active place of worship and a lasting testament to St. Damien's enduring legacy on Molokaʻi.

Some of the ‘ohana who are burried at Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Church are Zellie K. Duvauchelle, Edward K. Duvauchelle, Edward L. Duvauchelle, August Duvuachelle, August K. Duavauchelle (Jr.), and Sophie Duvaucle.

Ke Ana o Hina (the Cave of the Hawaiian Goddess Hina) is located on the border of Kaluaaha and Mapulehu nearby. Hina was believed to be the mother of Molokai and there is an old saying ‘you have seen Molokai till you have seen the cave of Hina.’