Hawaii Tabernacle: A “Spiritual Refuge” Rededicated

Calling the remodeled historic Honolulu Hawaii Stake Tabernacle a “sacred edifice for many men and women in the armed forces who have taken spiritual refuge in the building over the years,” Elder David E. Sorensen of the Seventy, President of the North America West Area, rededicated the tabernacle on 18 January 1998.

In the original dedicatory prayer given after the tabernacle’s completion in 1941, Elder David O. McKay, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, blessed the tabernacle that it would not suffer any war-related damage. “There was extensive bombing all around the area, and there is a large light on the tabernacle,” said Elder Sorensen. “At that time it was the second tallest steeple in Honolulu. Yet the building was never targeted or damaged in any way.”

Prior to the tabernacle’s rededication, several hundred people took tours led by stake and full-time missionaries during a public open house. About 1,000 people attended the rededication ceremony. Renovations to the 47,000-square-foot building included improving the landscaping, adding air-conditioning, and enlarging and modernizing the tabernacle’s family history center, which is under the direction of Elder Adney Y. Komatsu, an emeritus General Authority, and his wife, Judy Komatsu.

A view of the newly remodeled historic Honolulu Hawaii Stake Tabernacle. (Photo by Thomas E. Daniels.)