About St. Augustine's

Founded as a mission of the Church of England in 1884 by English families who immigrated here to the sugar cane plantations, St. Augustine's Episcopal Church has long been a center of life in Kohala.  Today, “the red door church” reflects the lifestyle, diversity, and community roots of North Kohala.  Our parishioners range in age from keiki (children) to kupuna (elderly-grandparent) and enrich our congregation with their heritages and traditions of Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Portuguese, Puerto Rican, Korean, African, Hawaiian, Samoan, and Caucasian ancestry.

---

Clergy & Staff

Vicar Jennifer Masada

The Rev. Deacon Lani Bowman

Deacon in Formation, Jeanne Cooper

John Sakai, Bishop's Warden

Cindy Sakai, Treasurer

Kathy Matsuda, Family & Community Network Coordinator

Open, Office Administrator

---

Leadership team members & their roles

Pi'ilani Fernandez - Bishop's Committee, Finance Team, Community Events & Partnerships Team

Dave Lambrecht - Bishop's Committee, Buildings & Grounds Team

Kim Lambrecht - Bishop's Committee, Buildings & Grounds Team, Finance & Stewardship Team

Maurine Gomes - Buildings & Grounds Team

Melanie Sahagun - Clerk, Bishop's Committee, Community Events & Partnerships Team

Michelle Simpson - Bishop's Committee, Buildings & Grounds Team, Community Events & Partnerships Team

---

OFFICERS
Bishop's Warden

• John Sakai

Treasurer

• Cindy Sakai

Clerk

• Melanie Sahagun
  
  

OUR TEAMS
Buildings & Grounds - This team tackles the nitty gritty of maintaining all four of our campus buildings as well as stewarding the 'āina we are fortunate to have been entrusted to care for. Members are:

• Dave Lambrecht & Maurine Gomes (co-chairs)
• Michelle Simpson
• Kim Lambrecht

Spiritual Growth - This team guides our Spirit School (for adults) and Godly Play (for keiki) learning programs. Members are:

• Vicar Jennifer (chair
• Kathy Matsuda.

Family & Community Network - This team assists with our community service efforts, partnerships, and events, including food sustainability partnerships, music events, Thrift Shop, Annual Bazaar, MamaJam, and community meetings. Members are:

• Kathy Matsuda (Family & Community Network Coordinator)
• Melanie Sahagun
• Lani Bowman
• Michelle Simpson

Finance & Stewardship - Members are:

• Cindy Sakai
• Pi'ilani Fernandez
  
• Kim LambrechtNOTE
  

For continuity, Vicar Jennifer and Bishop's Warden John Sakai attend all four core team meetings.
​
TEAMS
Buildings & Grounds Team

• Dave Lambrecht & Maurine Gomes (co-chairs)
• Kim Lambrecht
• Michelle Simpson

Finance, Budget & Compensation Review Team

• Cindy Sakai (Chair)
• Pi'ilani Fernandez
• Kim Lambrecht​

Outreach Team

• Kathy Matsuda & Lani Bowman (co-chairs)
• Pi'ilani Fernandiz
• Melanie Sahagun
• Michelle Simpson

Christian Education Team

• Jennifer Masada
• Kathy Matsuda​

​Volunteer Music Director

• Kirk Corey 

2025 DIOCESE OF HAWAI'I ANNUAL CONVENTION DELEGATES

Michelle Simpson
Rebecca Bartholomy
Alternate: Maurine Gomes