Two well-known Anglican leaders in Te Hīnota Whānui the General Synod of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia have been commissioned as Honorary Canons of the Cathedral of St Andrew Honolulu by Episcopal Bishop of Hawai'i Robert Fitzpatrick.

Fe'iloakitau and Jenny were among nine church leaders installed as Honorary Canons at a service marking the Feast of St Luke on Sunday 18 October, 2026. The new honorary chapter included three international recipients, with the remainder drawn from the Diocese of Hawaiʻi. Archbishop Sione Ulu'ilakepa was also present to support his brother bishop at one of his final Cathedral services before retiring as Episcopal Bishop of Hawai'i in November.

During the service Bishop Robert described Dr Te Paa Daniel and Fe'iloakitau as special friends, and as “kumu” (teacher in Indigenous Hawaiian) as he thanked them for introducing him to many people and welcoming him in Oceania and Asia. "They’ve offered me a seat at the table that has been a gift.” he said.

Floyd Lawlet, General Secretary of the Episcopal Church in the Philippines, was also installed as an Honorary Canon during the service.

Dr Jenny, who has known Bishop Robert (Bob) throughout his service as sixth Bishop of Hawaiʻi, said she was humbled when he called to offer her an Honorary Canonry at the Cathedral of St Andrew in acknowledgement of her friendship, support and contribution to theological education in his diocese.

Jenny's surprise reflected her sense that any service offered had been part of her calling.

"I was really touched.” said Dr Te Paa Daniel.

After many years of providing assistance and guidance with theological education, she said the Bishop, “in typical Bob fashion”, had one more surprise up his sleeve, when he asked for her help at the education day that same weekend.

“It’s a measure of the relationship that we can ask each other these things, for help, guidance and assistance and we respond the best we can.” she said.

Bishop Robert, in installing Fe'i, who is Archbishop Sione Ulu'ilakepa's Vicar-General in the Diocese of Polynesia, recounted the historic links between the Diocese of Polynesia and Hawaiʻi, particularly those connected with the foundations of the church in Tonga.

“After the illegal overthrow of the monarchy and the illegal annexation by the United States of these islands, the Bishop of the time, Alfred Willis, decided, without the permission of anyone, having being the Bishop of the Kingdom [of Hawaii] for 30 years, to get on a boat and go to Tonga without anyone's permission, including the Archbishop of Canterbury.”

Bishop Robert spoke too of Fe'iloakitau's longstanding commitment to reducing the impact of climate change across the Pacific, and how over the last 20 years Bishop Robert had developed a close relationship with Fei and his family, reflecting on watching Fei’s children grow up and mourning alongside them when Fei’s wife passed away. He promised he would continue to visit Tonga in retirement.

Among the other Honorary Canons were a six local Hawaiians: Rev Randolph Albano, Stuart Ching,  Rae Costa, Rev Robert “Moki” Hino, Ryan Kusumoto and Roth Puahala. Dr Jenny Te Paa Daniel said Bishop Robert had shown a particular determination to raise up Native Hawaiian leaders, and the result of that commitment was evident throughout the weekend. 

“He was positioning each one of us to meet one another, to form a community of scholars, of thinkers, of priests and leaders to and enhance the ministry of the Diocese going forward.” she said.