The Reverend Monsignor Terrence Watanabe was born in Wailuku, Maui to Alan Watanabe and Eleanor Rocha Watanabe. He attended Christ the King School in Kahului and Saint Stephen’s High School in Kaneohe, Oahu. Monsignor Watanabe earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Chaminade University on Oahu and received his Master of Divinity degree in Theology from Saint Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, California.

Before becoming the Pastor of Saint Anthony of Padua Church in Wailuku in 2021, Monsignor Watanabe served as Pastor at Saint Theresa Church in Kihei, Maui, and at Holy Family Church and Saint Philomena Church on Oahu. He served as Rector of the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Honolulu. During his early years as a priest, Monsignor Watanabe was an Associate Pastor at Saint John Vianney and Our Lady of Good Counsel parishes on Oahu.

Monsignor Watanabe is the former Vicar General for the late Most Reverend Joseph Ferrario, Bishop of Honolulu, and was the former Moderator of the Curia.

Monsignor Watanabe currently serves on the Maui Leadership Council of Catholic Charities—Maui, and the boards of directors of Saint Anthony School, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Maui, and Hospice Maui. 

Monsignor Watanabe served on the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Medical Service Association for more than thirty years, and on the board of Mental Health Kokua for twenty years. He formerly served as Board President of the Faith in Action for Community Equity.