Father Rheo Ofalsa, son of Romulo and Melodia, was born and raised on Oahu and baptized at this Holy Family Catholic Church.  He grew up in Mililani with his two brothers and sister, graduating from Mililani High School in 1995, after which he attended the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

 

     After graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering, and having been commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, Father Ofalsa served six years in the United States Air Force as a Civil Engineer Officer: four years at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska; and two years at Royal Air Force Base, Lakenheath, United Kingdom.  While serving in the Air Force, Father Ofalsa received a Master’s Degree in Business Administration through Bellevue University in Nebraska.

 

     After separating from the Air Force at the rank of Captain, Father Ofalsa was accepted as a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Omaha, and was sent to study Pre-Theology at Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland. He went on to study Sacred Theology at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, Italy, where he received a Baccalaureate Degree in Sacred Theology (Cum Laude) from the Pontifical Gregorian University, and a Licentiate Degree in Sacred Theology (Magna Cum Laude) from the John Paul II Institute at the Pontifical Lateran University.  He was ordained a priest of Jesus Christ on June 4, 2011 at the Cathedral of Saint Cecilia in Omaha, Nebraska.

 

     As a priest, Father Ofalsa ministered in the Archdiocese of Omaha prior to his return to Hawaii in 2015, and was incardinated into the Diocese of Honolulu in 2018.  Within the Diocese of Honolulu, Father Ofalsa has served as Parochial Vicar at Saint Elizabeth Church in Aiea and as the Diocesan Vocations Director.  He currently serves as Pastor of Holy Family Church, Academy & Early Learning Center, Honolulu.