Joyful parishioners of the Lahaina Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints recently broke ground on their new church.

LAHAINA – With a burgeoning congregation of over 1,000 parishioners, the Lahaina Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints celebrated the groundbreaking of their new West Side location above the Lahaina Gateway Center two weeks ago.

First Ward Bishop Sione Olevao reported that the new church location will be three times bigger on a lot of almost three acres, compared to the .79-acre lot for the current facility fronting Honoapiilani Highway at Wahikuli.

“We’ve just been growing and growing over the recent years, and this new location will really relieve the crowding we’re experiencing now down at the current church location. Especially with parking, it will be a more comfortable situation for everyone. Throughout the years, our neighbors down there have been so accommodating and gracious about letting us park on the street in front of their houses. Now, there will be plenty of parking.”

“We’re looking at a target date of December 7 for completion of the construction of the new church, and then we can move in January,” added Olevao, who leads the Lahaina Mormon membership with Second Ward Bishop Unaloto Taukeiaho.

“We are all so happy that we will be able to worship at our new church – it’s just been too crowded. We’ve been searching for a new location for over 30 years.”

Bishop Olevao went on to say that a dedicated group of current and former LDS officials were on-hand for the groundbreaking ceremony.

Former Lahaina Bishops Vance Honda and Sam Ako were among the group, as well as President Arnold K. Wunder, First Counselor Edward Reinhardt, Second Counselor Herbert Yuen, Richard Alcomindras and Michael Vierra.

The new church will be funded through tithing and carry a price tag of “several million” reported Olevao.

Leighton Construction of Utah will be the general contractor.