The Star of the Sea church stands in it's own little compound and looks rarely used. Many of the paintings inside now look faded. This panorama shows the white painted wooden church and the surrounding area. It is hard to imagine in this tranquillity of this picture the activity that must have surrounded the building as it was being moved out of the way of advancing lava that destroyed the town it was serving.

Star of the Sea Painted Church - Hawaii Island visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Star of the Sea Painted Church' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Hawaii.

Panorama taken from outside the Star of the Sea "Painted" Church in the Puna District of Hawaii Island. The Painted Church was moved to it's current location in 1990 when lava threatened to destroy it. The church was built by the Belgian-born Father Evarist Gielen in 1931, and he painted much of the interior in the ensuing years with scenes from a catechism book. Much of his work was done by candlelight. The lower parts of the church's wooden panelling were painted by George Heidler in 1964, however the priest took exception to this and covered many of them in blue paint secretly when invited back to the church. Later, a third painter called George Lorch, added paintings in a detailed, miniaturist style over Gielen's blue paint.

The eruption of the Kilauea Volcano that threatened the Star of the Sea was produced by the vast flows that had been erupting from the Kupaianaha shield of Kilauea Volcano since 1986. In 1990 the flow overwhelmed Kalapana, sparing the Kalapana Store. The church was moved out of the way of the advancing lava 45 minutes before the spot and the exit road were covered. This flow also destroyed Kaimu Beach. In early 1992, activity at the the Kupainaha vent ceased and moved too the Pu'u 'O'o vent of Kilauea.

The Star of the Sea painted church should not be confused with the St. Benedict's Painted Church near to Captain Cook and Honaunau in the South Kona District on the west side of Hawaii.

Travel and Getting There:
Follow the I-11 to Kea'au, then the H-130 past Pahoa to the coast. The Star of the Sea is found on the left of the road just after it is diverted ontl the H-147 and before the remains of Kaimu.