The Rev. David J. Gierlach, Rector. Fr. David Gierlach has lived in Hawaii for nearly 30 years. He holds a B.A. from the State University of New York at Binghamton (1977), a Master of Arts in Religious Studies from the Maryknoll School of Theology (1981) and a Juris Doctor from the University of Hawaii School of Law (1989). Fr. David worked with the elderly poor in Chinatown as a VISTA volunteer in the early 1980s; became an alcohol/drug counselor at Hina Mauka for 5 years and departed Hina Mauka for law school as its Deputy Director. During his career as an attorney, Fr. Gierlach became quite active with the Episcopal Church, having found a home at St. John’s by the sea in Kahalu’u. After many years of lay leadership, Fr. Gierlach felt he could no longer run from the call to ordained ministry, a call that was felt since his teenage years. Fr. Gierlach was ordained a deacon in 2006, and after having served as deacon of St. Elizabeth’s for 9 months, was ordained priest in 2007. The call to St. Elizabeth’s has been a great joy for him and his wife Ida and children Elaine, Teiti, Teatuahere and Joseph.

The Rev. Imelda S. Padasdao, Priest Associate

Mother Imelda was called by St. Elizabeth's Vestry in February 2008 as Priest Associate. She was born and raised in the barrio of Masikil, Bangui, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. Ordained to the Diaconate in 1986 and to the Priesthood in 1990, 'Apo Padi,' as Mother Imelda also likes to be called, became the first Filipino priest in the Episcopal Church and in the Anglican Communion.

Bishop Chang assigned her as long-term Supply Priest for Resurrection Parish in Hilo and St. Columba's in Paauilo as well as to the Filipino ministry in West Kauai. She has been "the flying priest" for these families of faith. Her ability to juggle many balls has been much needed, as she continues her position at the Department of Transportation.

The Rev. Saimone Lino, Diocesan Missioner

Father Saimone was originally a priest from the Diocese of Polynesia. He graduated from Pacific Theological College in Fiji where he served as Deacon from 1996 and was ordained a priest in 1997. He served as Assistant Priest at St. Thomas in Labasa, and as Curate at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Fiji. He was the Diocesan Youth Coordinator from 2000 and Priest-in-Charge at St. Luke's in 2002. He came to Hawaii in 2007 where his first ministry was at St. John's by the Sea. He has been a part of St. Elizabeth's Children's Outreach reading and music program since 2008. In November 2008, Father Lino transferred his outreach to St. Elizabeth's where he ministers to island immigrants.

He is married to Fane Lino and they have three children: Anaseini, Viliami, and Joshua.

The Rev. Peter S. M. Fan, Cantonese Language Priest

Father Fan came from the Diocese of Hong Kong and Macau in 1985 to work as a Chinese misssionary in the Diocese of Hawaii. He was called to be Dr. Gifford's associate at St. Elizabeth's where his focus is Chinese ministry. He was a graduate of Chung Chi College, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, where he obtained a B. A. with honors and later went back to the theological seminary in the Graduate School. He received a Certificate of Education from the Grangham College of Education in Hong Kong.

His wife, Doris, is an artist in Chinese painting and watercolors. They have one son, Joshua, who lives in Texas.

The Rev. Dr. Gerald G. Gifford, Rector Emeritus

Dr. Gifford was the rector of St. Elizabeth's from 1978 to 1989 where he addressed areas such as spiritual renewal, inactive membership renewal, stewardship, and missions.

During his tenure, Dr. Gifford developed the "urban ministry" aspects of St. Elizabeth's; attendance at Sunday and mid-week worship services and other parish events increased. St. Elizabeth's congregation was still predominantly Chinese, but participation by other ethnic groups was increasing and under Dr. Gifford's guidance, outreach to the Kalihi-Palama neighborhood was broadened through the Palama Interchurch Ministry and Kalihi-Palama Immigrant Service Center.

Hsiao Ying "Ajaon" Chen, Choir Director

A native of Taiwan, Ajaon leads the Children's Music Academy on Sundays after worship and St. Elizabeth's handbell choir. She attended Yu Sun Theological College; obtained a Performance Certificate from the British Royal Music College; and majored in voice at Singapore Church Music College. Since she moved to Hawaii in 2003, she has been a teacher of Mandarin at Niu Valley Middle School and Aina Haina Elementary School.

Ajaon became Choir Director of the Honolulu Chinese Choir in 2004 and Handbell Director at St. Elizabeth's in 2006. She and her husband, Zen, have three children: Joshua, Daniel and Naomi and all of them are actively involved in music.

Mei-Li "Marie" Wang, Organist

Marie was born in Taiwan where she majored in piano in college. After graduation she spent two years in Japan where she continued her music study. She moved to Hawaii in 1996 and began organ study with Katherine Crosier two years later. The first time she played the organ she dreamed of becoming a church organist. She substituted at several churches in Honolulu before becoming St. Elizabeth's organist in 2005. She thanks God for bringing her to St. Elizabeth's.

She has two children, a son and a daughter.

Katherine Crosier, Parish Administrator

Kathy has been St. Elizabeth's half-time Parish Administrator since July 2004. In addition to having Bachelor's and Master's degrees in organ performance, Kathy has experience in database administration, software support, bulk mail, website development and graphic design.

In addition to her office hours at St. Elizabeth's, Kathy keeps busy as an organ teacher, recitalist and church organist. She and her husband, Carl, have one son, Stephen, who lives in California.

The Rev. Jodene S. Hawkins, Past Rector

A graduate of Virginia Seminary in Alexandria, VA, Mother Jodene was ordained in 1990. Her first call was as Chaplain for St. George's College in Jerusalem. Later she served as pastoral associate and program minister at St. Paul's in Bremerton, WA then Priest-in-Charge for St. Nicholas. She was then called as Rector at St. Peter's, a multi-cultural parish in Seattle. She spent three years on Maui as Interim Chaplain at Seabury Hall.

The Rev. Jodene S. Hawkins was appointed Priest-in-Charge to St. Elizabeth's in September 2004. Two years later, The Vestry voted to call her as Rector in September 2006 where she has re-established community and neighborhood connections and ministries with youth and elders. Mother Jodene retired as of August 31, 2009.