Planning Your Visit

The Congregation of the Sacred Hearts United States Province Archives is a private repository. It welcomes onsite researchers to view its historical collections by appointment. It is located within St. Patrick Monastery, on the grounds of St. Patrick Church in Honolulu. In preparation for your visit, here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

You may schedule an appointment by phone (808) 282-8308 or by email. Appointments may be scheduled for Mondays through Fridays, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

When scheduling an appointment, please inform the archivist about your topic of research. The archivist will let you know the extent of relevant materials available; and can also direct you to other resources.

The Congregation’s historical collections are available for viewing by the general public. Its institutional records are only for internal use by members of the Congregation.

Online records may be viewed in the digital collections section of this website. You are welcome to return to this site at any time, as records are continually being added.

All archival documents, photographs, and publications must be viewed within the archives.

No, but free-will donations are gladly accepted. These donations are used to support ongoing preservation efforts for the Congregation’s archival holdings.

One researcher or group of individuals looking at the same material. This is due to limited staff and collections security considerations.

Yes. There is a wheelchair ramp leading to the front entrance of the monastery. Once inside the building, an elevator will take you to the second floor where the provincial archives is located.

Getting Here

How do I get to the archives by car?

  • Eastbound – Head east on H1. Take exit 25B (Sixth Avenue). Turn left and go down two blocks. Turn right on Waiʽalae Avenue. St. Patrick Church and Monastery are on the right side of the road.
  • Westbound – Head west on H1. Take exit 26 (Waiʽalae Avenue). Continue down Waiʽalae Avenue until Seventh Avenue. Patrick Church and Monastery are on the left side of the road.
  • Google Map

Where may I park?

  • There is a large parking lot in front of the monastery. Parking is free. The main entrance to the parking lot is on Waiʽalae Avenue.

How do I get to the archives by bus?

  • Eastbound – Take route 1 (Hawaiʽi Kai or Kāhala Mall). Disembark at St. Patrick Church on Waiʽalae Avenue.
  • Westbound – Take route 1 (Kalihi Transit Center). Disembark at Aliʽiōlani Elementary School. St. Patrick Church and Monastery are across the street.

Arriving at the Archives

St. Patrick Monastery, where the provincial archives is located, also houses the retirement community of the Sacred Hearts Fathers and Brothers. To ensure the privacy of monastery residents, the archivist will meet you at the front door and escort you to the archives.

Please call and notify the archivist upon your arrival. If you do not have a cell phone, the receptionist in the rectory office can contact the archivist for you.

Using the Archives

The provincial archives has a public reading room where you may view collection materials. There is an outlet to plug in your laptop computer, and a wi-fi connection is available for your convenience.

Upon your arrival, you will be asked to present identification and sign-in on the visitor log. If it is your first visit, you will be requested to complete and sign a registration form. By signing the registration form, you certify that you have read, understood, and agreed to comply with the Reading Room rules and procedures listed on the form.

The archivist will direct you towards the finding aids, and can advise you on sources that may be relevant to your topic. The retrieval of collection materials is limited to one folder at a time.

Photographic reproduction services are available, pending completion of a usage agreement and payment of applicable fees. See additional information under Photographic Reproduction Services.

Procedures When Handling Archival Materials

  • Leave food, drink and gum outside the archives.
  • Place knapsacks, briefcases, and large bags in the designated area.
  • Ensure that hands are clean and free of lotions.
  • Use only pencils or laptop computers.
  • View only one folder at a time.
  • Maintain existing order of records within each folder.
  • Avoid putting extraneous marks, post-it notes, or paperclips on collection materials.
  • Refrain from tracing records or using them as a support for writing.
  • Photocopying, scanning and photographing of archival materials will be done by the archivist or designated contractor, following assessment of object’s condition.
  • Researchers must agree to terms outlined in the Terms and Conditions for Purchase and Use of Images Agreement before materials are reproduced.

Group Visits

The archives welcomes visits by small groups of students, pilgrims, and community groups. During these visits, the archivist will create temporary displays of documents and artifacts for viewing. These displays can be customized to the particular interests of the group. Room capacity is limited to a maximum of 20 people at a time. With advance notice, large groups can be divided into smaller groups and rotated between concurrent activities. Reference assistance and retrieval of collection materials cannot be accommodated during these presentations.

Students from St. John Vianney School view objects associated with Saint Damien De Veuster, in the provincial archives of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts, September 15, 2016.