The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced planned renovations and expansion for the Kona Hawaii Temple, with the temple closing in October 2023.

The projected closure was announced Monday, Aug. 29, on ChurchofJesusChrist.org and was accompanied by an artist’s rendering of the temple’s exterior after the extensive renovations.

The renovations and expansion — taking the temple from 9,500 square feet to approximately 12,000 square feet — are expected to be completed by late 2025.

The Kona Hawaii Temple has been operating for more than two decades, having been dedicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley in January 2000. The temple is located on the island of Hawaii — also known as “the Big Island,” as it is the largest of the Hawaiian archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean.

While the temple is closed for renovations, Latter-day Saints in the Kona temple district are encouraged to attend the Laie Hawaii Temple, on the island of Oahu, about 180 miles northwest of Kona.

The Laie temple was the Church’s first built outside of the United States and dedicated in 1919.

Dates for the public open house and rededication following the renovation will be announced closer to the completion date. 

Kona Hawaii Temple

Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints