Waikiki Hi

A decision by the Catholic Church to sell its St. Augustine Church property in the heart of Waikiki has provoked renewed controversy over the continuing buying spree in Hawaii by Japanese investors. Honolulu Bishop Joseph Ferrario announced that the 50,000-square-foot parcel was being sold to Hama Kikaku Co. of Tokyo for $45 million. Diocese offices were besieged with phone calls and clergy and parishioners voiced anger. Ferrario defended his decision.

Frank F. Fasi, Honolulu's feisty mayor, has jumped into the fray over the sale of a popular Roman Catholic church to Japanese investors who intend to demolish the building and put up a luxury condominium tower. The ruckus was kicked off when the bishop of Honolulu decided to sell St. Augustine Catholic Church, which is just across the street from Waikiki Beach, for $45 million, despite the opposition of parishioners.

Frank F. Fasi, Honolulu's feisty mayor, has jumped into the fray over the sale of a popular Roman Catholic church to Japanese investors who intend to demolish the building and put up a luxury condominium tower. The ruckus was kicked off when the bishop of Honolulu decided to sell St. Augustine Catholic Church, which is just across the street from Waikiki Beach, for $45 million, despite the opposition of parishioners.

A decision by the Catholic Church to sell its St. Augustine Church property in the heart of Waikiki has provoked renewed controversy over the continuing buying spree in Hawaii by Japanese investors. Honolulu Bishop Joseph Ferrario announced that the 50,000-square-foot parcel was being sold to Hama Kikaku Co. of Tokyo for $45 million. Diocese offices were besieged with phone calls and clergy and parishioners voiced anger. Ferrario defended his decision.