FAITH
Featured: Refund Support Vocations
The Refund Support Vocations programs assists our seminarians and postulants with financial and moral assistance. As the strong right arm of the church, the Knights of Columbus are committed to providing moral, financial and spiritual support to future priests and religious at all stages of their formation.
Rosary Program
This program encourages devotion to Mary, the patroness of our Order, and emphasizes the importance of prayer in community and as a family. The Rosary Program encourages councils to schedule regular rosary prayer services on any day of the week, at any time of the year, with the guidance of their pastor. Click here to learn more.
Sacramental Gifts
The sacraments stand as the most significant events in the life of the domestic church. The Knights of Columbus will be there to support and embrace our parish families at these essential moments of encounter with Christ. As children and adult members become more integrated into the life of the church and their parish, they should know that members of the Knights of Columbus will always be present in a tangible and meaningful way.
Pilgrim Icon
Through the Pilgrim Icon Program, councils organize a Sacred Heart Holy Hour featuring an icon depicting the most famous image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, painted in 1767 by Pompeo Batoni and now venerated in the Church of the Gesù in Rome. The reproduction bears the blessing of Pope Francis, through the Papal Almoner, and is one of more than 300 icons traveling across the world, from council to council, for veneration and use in prayer services.
Spiritual Reflection
Create annual opportunities for prayer and reflection together as a fraternity. Under the guidance of their chaplain, councils can attend a retreat or day of reflection together or perhaps organize their own event for the men of their parish.
FAMILY
FEATURED: FOOD FOR FAMILIES
The Knights of Columbus are taking action to end hunger through the Food for Families Program, which has already donated millions in food and funds. Councils and parish families are encouraged to raise money and collect food to support local pantries, food banks, and soup kitchens. In Hawaii, over 1 in 10 residents—many of them children and kūpuna—struggle with food insecurity. For every $500 raised or 1,000 pounds of food donated, the Supreme Council will give $100 back to the council—up to $500 each year. While food donations make a big difference, financial contributions go even further. Let’s work together to make an even greater impact!
FEATURED: Celebrating Catholic Heritage
Discover the beauty and richness of our Catholic faith through the Celebrating Our Catholic Heritage program—a new Knights of Columbus initiative that highlights cultural devotions, parish feast days, and traditions from around the world. From vibrant events like Flores de Mayo to cherished novenas like Simbang Gabi, there’s something for every parish to celebrate. Get involved and help bring your community together in joyful witness to our shared heritage!
Family of the Month/Year
Each month, the council Family of the Month committee selects one parish family that models Christian family values and visibly lives them every day. Once a year, each participating council also selects one of the previous twelve Family of the Month winners to represent the council/parish as the potential international Family of the Year. The Knights of Columbus Family of the Year is chosen by the Supreme Council and recognized each year at the annual Supreme Convention.
Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest
Conducting a Knights of Columbus Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest is a fun and easy way to put your faith into action and get youth in your community involved in their faith. It is fun to conduct because of the opportunity to witness the creativity and optimism of the youth in your community.
The goal of this program is to increase the awareness of young people’s faith, while encouraging them to speak to other youth “in their own language” about the true meaning of Christmas.
TOPICS/CATEGORIES
Each poster must reflect the Keep Christ in Christmas theme with a visual image. There is no limit to the number of posters each contestant may submit.
ELIGIBILITY
The Knights of Columbus Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest is open to all youth between the ages of 5 and 14. Age eligibly is determined by the age of the contestant as of November 1.
AGE GROUPS
Contest entrants compete in one of three age groups — ages 5 through 7, ages 8 through 10 and 11 through 14.
RULES
Poster must reflect the theme of Keep Christ in Christmas. Each poster should be the original work (including concept, layout, slogan and any visual images) of a single person.
Poster should be approximately 11x17 inches. However, the supreme Council will not disqualify based on poster size. If pastels, chalk or charcoal are used, the poster must be laminated or covered with clear plastic. Each poster must be submitted with a Knights of Columbus Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest entry form (#5025) — make sure your council number is included.
The name and age of the entrant should be printed on the reverse side of the poster in case the poster and entry form get separated. All entries become property of the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council office. Posters cannot be returned in most cases.
COMPETITION LEVELS
Each entry will be judged on the Council or Parish level. The top three entries in each age category will move onto the second level of judging, the District Level. The top three entries in each age category on the District level will move onto the final level of competition, the State level.
TIMETABLE
Councils should complete their competition NLT: December 19, 2025
Councils should submit winners to District Deputy NLT: December 31, 2025
Districts should complete their competition NLT: January 11, 2026
District Deputies submit winning posters to State Chairman NLT: January 25, 2026
State Chairman complete Judging and submit to State Program Manager NLT: February 7, 2026
State Program Manager submit to Supreme by 14 February, 2026
DOWNLOAD the KCIC Poster Contest Entry Form Here
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Candidates between the ages of 5yrs and 14 yrs may participate by:
Contacting the nearest Knights of Columbus Council, in many cases a council may be affiliated with your parish.
Speak with your parishes Youth Ministry Director and request they contact the Hawaii State Council to start a local contest in your Parish.
Contact us via the contact form below. Our State Council will find you a Council contest to participate.
Questions or Need Assistance? Please contact Melvin Cervantes by email [email protected].
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2023-2024 Hawaii State Winners
Grade K - Council 18025 - Olina Ozuna
Age 8-10 - Council 10475 - D'Isabelle Cacal
Age 11-14 - Council 10475 - Ria G.H. Bagay
Grade 12 - Council 12733 Anaya Rhema Domingo
Family Prayer Night
Catholics often struggle with the reality that they do not have the opportunity to socialize and/or pray with other faith-filled Catholic families. It can be quite a challenge to raise our children in the faith when their only exposure comes from Mom and Dad. Put plainly, the majority of our time can easily be spent in secular circles unless we intentionally create ways to live out the domestic church. Family Prayer Night is an opportunity for children to be exposed to regular people living their faith in a casual setting. Families of council members, as well as other Catholic families within the parish and community, will gather for prayer, dinner and fellowship. Multiple groups can be formed and families are encouraged to rotate between these groups.
Family Socials
Family is at the heart of a strong parish community, providing a foundation of faith, love, and support that brings people closer to one another and to God. By offering events that engage families—such as parish picnics, movie nights, service projects, and prayer gatherings—we create opportunities for connection, fellowship, and spiritual growth. These moments strengthen not only individual families but the entire parish, fostering a welcoming environment where all feel valued and included. Building a vibrant family-centered community helps pass on our faith to future generations and ensures our parish remains a place of unity, joy, and shared purpose.
COMMUNITY
FEATURED: Coats for Kids
Provide warmth for children in need during cold winter months. The Knights of Columbus Coats for Kids® program ensures that no child in North America goes without a coat during winter. Through the dedication of councils across the United States and Canada, hundreds of thousands of new winter coats have been distributed to children since the program's inception.
Essay Contest
The Knights of Columbus Catholic Citizenship Essay Contest is a program designed to help our 8th grade and High School students put their Faith Into Action. Students in the 8th -12th grades are encouraged to write an essay defining the role of a Catholic citizen in different situations.
Contact: Galo Camacho, email: [email protected]
2025 - 2026 TOPIC: In an essay of 500-750 words, out of the 267 popes that have led the Catholic Church, who are your three favorite popes and why?
How to enter:
Entrants in all grade levels must submit their 2025-2026 Catholic Citizenship Essay Contest application to into their local host council. If a participant does not have a local host council, contact the Essay Chairman at [email protected] or the Program Director at [email protected] for assistance.
Participants will be scored by an independent panel of judges and finalists will be recognized on three levels: 1) councils or parishes, 2) District, and 3) State.
Essays submitted on the council or parish level will be judged and the top three applicants in their grade categories will move on to the District level competition.
District level finalists will again be judged and the top three in each grade level will proceed to the State level competition.
The State level finalist will be judged and the top three in each grade category will be recognized and submitted to compete at the international level.
Each grade level finalists, in the Council or Parish, District and State divisions will be presented participant certificates and winners awards.
Timetable:
July-November 2025: Students write essays and turn into local Council by 15 November.
16 November 2025: - Councils complete collection of essays, grade and submit winners to District Deputy.
28 December 2025 - Districts grade and select District Winners. Districts submit winning entries to the State Chairman. If District only has one council participating, the Council winner will be submitted as the district winner. State Chairman picks final winners and submits to State Program Director.
Winning entries due to Program Director no later than 10 January 2026.
CONGRATULATIONS to the 2024-2025 Hawaii State Winners
10th Grade - Council 12733 - Vincent Guy Yoche
12th Grade - Council 12733 - Ryan Calimlim
Free Throw Contest
Since 1972, councils have sponsored the Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship for boys and girls from the ages of 9 to 14 to provide an athletic outlet and encourage the values of sportsmanship and healthy competition. Kids compete within their own gender and age and progress from local level to district, regional and state/province competitions. This program is a great way to introduce the Order to your community and recruit faithful family men of service.
2025-2026 Dates
Councils should complete their competition NLT: December 31, 2025
Councils should submit winners to District Deputy NLT: January 24, 2026
Districts should complete their competition NLT: February 14, 2026
Parish with council and school without council affiliation are welcome
STATE FREE THROW CHAMPIONSHIP INFORMATION.
WHEN: Saturday March 7 , 2026
WHERE: To be determined
CONTACT: Chairman Melvin Cervantes, email: [email protected]
All Council/District winning forms must be submitted to State Program Director by 31 March 2026.
Council competition must be completed and documented on form. District competition is optional but must be documented on the same form.
One of our Order's most popular programs, the2025-2026 FREE THROW CONTEST AND CHAMPIONSHIPSprovides an athletic outlet and encourage the values of sportsmanship and healthy competition.
Here is how you can enter:
1. If you attend any of the Parishes listed on https://www.kofchawaii.org/directory, contact your council leadership and sign up with your council directly.
2. All others may download the Entry form using the button at the end of this page. Be sure to share this with your Parent(s) so they are familiar with this program. A State representative will contact you to place you with an affiliate council in your area.
SCORING INSTRUCTIONS: Each contestant will be allowed 15 consecutive free throws in council competition and 25 consecutive free throws in all other levels. Indicate number of free throws “made” in first column.
Those tied for highest score will compete in successive rounds each being allowed 5 free throws until one contestant emerges as winner. Use other columns to indicate scores in “playoff” rounds
Participants on the council or parish level will compete against themselves and the top three applicants in their Age category will move on to the District level competition.
District level finalists will compete against themselves and the top three in each grade level will proceed to the State level competition.
The State level finalist will compete against themselves and the top three in each grade category will be recognized.
Each age level finalists, in the Council or Parish, District and State divisions will be presented participant certificates and finalist award ranging in various values.
Schools and Youth Ministry programs interested in participating. The Hawaii State Council has many Youth Ministry and Schools participating in this program and we can help provide you with examples of working models that you can implement seamlessly into your operation. Please contact [email protected] for more information.
Execution of this program on all levels will be done in conjunction with current State and County gathering orders. All participants must follow the program guidelines, complete a Covid-19 survey and meet all requirements before participating. Details to follow.
Soccer Contest
The Soccer Challenge is a great way for councils to engage in their communities with an athletic event for
youth that encourages the values of sportsmanship and healthy competition. Children demonstrate the most
important skill in soccer – shooting accuracy on the penalty kick. Youth compete within their own gender and
age to progress from the local level to district, regional and state/province competitions. For Soccer Challenge resources, visit www.kofc.org/soccer.
SCORING
Each participant will be given 15 penalty kicks. Points will be awarded depending upon the area of the scoring zones through which the ball passes. For example, after the player’s 15 penalty kicks, his/her scores are: 5/10/20/5/5/5/5/10/10/5/20/5/10/5/5, his/her total score would be 125. A score of 125 would be marked on the entry form/score sheet. Normal rules of soccer regarding penalty kicks apply for all levels of competition. Penalty kick violations include stepping on or over the line prior to the kick, and any contact made with the ball counts as a kick. Scorers should record shots made and missed according to the instructions on the entry form/score sheet. It is also recommended that multiple scorers be assigned to each goal for scoring accuracy and comparison. All scores should be verified before the next contestant is allowed to shoot. The use of video tape recording is not recommended to resolve questions on final determination of scores should be decided by the scorers and the scoresheets.
Timetable
Councils should complete their competition NLT: September 27, 2025
Districts should complete their competition NLT: October 18, 2025
All Council/District forms must be submitted the State Chairman Melvin Cervantes by October 25, 2025
State Free Throw Championship Information
WHEN: November 8, 2025
WHERE: To be determined
CONTACT: Chairman Melvin Cervantes, email: [email protected]
Winning score sheets due to State Program Director not later than 15 November, 2025
Parish with council and school without council affiliation are welcome
Build a Bed
Put your faith into action and help people who are less fortunate in your community. In the spirit of our founder, Blessed Michael J. McGivney, councils lead efforts to assist those most in need. Guidelines for this program are broad and can include forming partnerships with local aid organizations or independently planning unique activities.
Disaster Preparedness
Communities can be brought to a halt when disaster occurs – from large natural disasters to local crises. As community leaders, Knights of Columbus can help ensure that their members, families and parish communities are prepared through a campaign promoting planning and education. This program motivates councils to take a holistic approach to emergency situations by readiness in times of crisis, assessing response capabilities, and learning how to properly respond well ahead of a disaster. Councils will also raise funds and teach (where applicable) in anticipation of larger efforts to assist brothers in need.
Click here to learn more.
FEATURED: Habitat for Humanities
Knights of Columbus councils work closely with Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit Christian organization, to build homes with families in need at substantially reduced costs. Each year, councils throughout the Order donate a considerable number of volunteer hours and dollars to this worthy cause. To satisfy program requirements, councils are asked to donate a minimum of $1,000 or 200 service hours to Habitat for Humanity projects in their community.
Global Wheelchair
The Knights of Columbus has been partners with the American Wheelchair Mission since 2003 and Canadian Wheelchair Foundation since 2006, under the umbrella of the Global Wheelchair Mission. This initiative provides aid to those who lack the freedom of mobility in our communities and around the world. Whether councils are presenting wheelchairs to local veterans and neighbors in need or donating funds to benefit those abroad, mobility brings with it independence and dignity. Obtained at discounted prices, these wheelchairs change the lives of their recipients. Working with the Global Wheelchair Mission is a perfect opportunity to put your faith into action and involve the entire community in the rewarding charitable work done by your council.
LIFE
FEATURED: March for Life
The Knights of Columbus encourages others to choose life through public support of the pro-life cause. Knights can organize and participate in Marches for Life and organize participation of Knights/parishioners/students/etc., in bus trips to the national Marches in Washington, D.C., Ottawa, Mexico City, throughout the Philippines, or in other countries.
ASAP
Help mothers and babies by supporting pregnancy resource centers and maternity homes. For every $500 your council or assembly donates to a pregnancy resource center or maternity home (up to $2,000), the Supreme Council will donate $100.
Silver Rose
Each year, from early March through mid-December, Silver Roses are stewarded by Knights of Columbus councils along routes from Canada to Mexico. Every stop the Silver Rose makes throughout the pilgrimage is a rosary-centered occasion for Knights, parishioners and community members to pray for respect for life, for the spiritual renewal of each nation, and for the advancement of the message of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Special Olympics
The Knights of Columbus has a unique partnership with the Special Olympics and has helped disabled athletes train for and compete in games around the world. Knights of Columbus councils have assisted with all aspects of the program from fundraising to feeding the athletes, organizing and judging events, and providing equipment and awards. Without the support of the Knights, participants would not be able to train for the events that they love. Participating councils provide at least $2,000 in donations or 200 service hours in a fraternal year.
Joseph Dutton Guild
The Joseph Dutton Guild is a group of Catholic men and women in Hawaii dedicated to advancing the Cause of Canonization for the Servant of God Joseph Dutton—a layman who served faithfully alongside Saint Damien de Veuster and Saint Marianne Cope on the island of Molokai. Formed through a petition to Bishop Larry Silva, Bishop of Honolulu, the Guild not only promotes the life and legacy of Joseph Dutton but also seeks to live out his example. Guided by God’s plan of love and service, the Guild is committed to supporting the poor, the abandoned, and those in need—both in Hawaii and around the world.
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