Kona Hawaii Temple

The Kona Hawaii Temple is the 70th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). The temple is located in Kailua-Kona on the island of Hawaii and is the second temple built in Hawaii, along with the Laie Hawaii Temple. It is the sixth temple built in the Pacific Islands.

Kona Hawaii Temple
Number 70
Dedicated January 23, 2000 (January 23, 2000) by
Gordon B. Hinckley
Site 7.02 acres (2.8 hectares)
Floor area 10,700 sq ft (990 m2)
Height 71 ft (22 m)
Preceded by St. Paul Minnesota Temple
Followed by Ciudad Juárez Mexico Temple
Official website • News & images

History

The Kona Hawaii Temple was announced May 7, 1998,[1][2] with a groundbreaking ceremony presided over by John B. Dickson of the Seventy held less than a year later on March 13, 1999.[3] Approximately 1,200 people attended the groundbreaking ceremonies. Dickson, Donald L. Hallstrom, an area seventy, Hilo stake president John Sakamaki and Kona stake president Philip A. Harris each spoke at the ceremony. Dickson turned over the first shovelful of dirt, after which other onlookers, including many children, also participated.[4]

The structure itself was constructed in concrete, white marble and some native materials. Architects used a simple classical design featuring a single spire, similar to other smaller temples constructed by the church at the same time.

Upon completion, an open house was held from January 12–15, 2000.[3][5] LDS Church president Gordon B. Hinckley dedicated the Kona Hawaii Temple on January 23–24, 2000.[6] Hinckley was accompanied to the dedication by Boyd K. Packer, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and Hallstrom.[3] More than 3,800 church members attended the dedicatory sessions.[3]

In 2020, the Kona Hawaii Temple was closed in response to the coronavirus pandemic.[7]

Temple facts

The Kona Hawaii Temple has two ordinance rooms and two sealing rooms.[8]

The temple dedication was considered the first event in a yearlong commemoration of the sesquicentennial of the church in Hawaii.[3][9]

NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young married his wife, Barbara Graham, in the Kona Hawaii Temple on March 15, 2000.[10]

See also

References
  1. "Locations for six of 30 small temples given", Church News, May 23, 1998
  2. Kruckenberg, Janet (February 20, 1999), "The announcements of new holy edifices bring joy and tears", Church News
  3. "Two New Temples Dedicated, President Hinckley Visits Saints in Pacific", Ensign, April 2000, retrieved September 21, 2012
  4. Peacock, Joyce A. (March 20, 1999), "Hawaii edifice to help establish eternal families", Church News, retrieved September 21, 2012
  5. "Open house, dedication dates announced for temples", Church News, November 27, 1999
  6. "Kona Hawaii: 'Here to taste the sweet refreshment of the Holy Spirit'", Church News, January 29, 2000
  7. Stack, Peggy Fletcher. "All Latter-day Saint temples to close due to coronavirus", The Salt Lake Tribune, 26 March 2020. Retrieved on 28 March 2020.
  8. "Facts and figures: Kona, Hawaii Temple", Church News, January 29, 2000
  9. "150 years in Hawaii", Church News, December 16, 2000
  10. "Steve Young inducted in NFL Hall of Fame", Church News, February 12, 2005, retrieved September 21, 2012

Additional reading
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