Christ the King Church began in the 1880's as a mission outpost of the then flourishing Holy Family Parish.  Kahului was then an unimportant town of only a few houses.  Even with the establishment of the Kahului Railroad Company in 1888, the town failed to grow.  In fact, in 1990, much of the town was burned to the ground in an effort to wipe out the pests which caused an outbreak of bubonic plague.

It was estimated that in 1924, there were probably no more than 60 Catholics living in Kahului.  However, because of the valuable boat harbor and the expansion of the Hawaiian Commercial and Sugar Company (HC&S.  It was obvious that Kaului would soon become an important and well-populated town.

It was Mrs. Anne Enomoto who approached Mr. Frank Baldwin, manager of the Kahului Railroad and the HC&S Company, and requested land so a church could be built.  Baldwin offered Fr. Bartholomew Bax, SS.CC, then pastor of Holy Family, a piece of beach front property near the harbor (near Maui Seaside Hotel and former Hukilau Hotel).  However, Father Bax, a native of dike-filled Holland, worried about tidal waves and requested space further inland.  His request was granted in the summer of 1931 and the church acquired land near the main highway for one dollar, with the proviso that the land could not be sold.

The plantation sent men and equipment to level the lot and construction began in 1932.  The church, built in the style of a California mission, was blessed by Bishop Stephen Alencastre on the feast of Christ the King, October 30, 1932.  The cost of the church was $ 18,000, and since tremendous growth was foreseen for Kahului, the sides and back were made from concrete but the front was made of plaster designed for easy removal when the time came to enlarge the building.

Christ the King remained a mission outpost until Father Everest Gielen, SS.CC. was named Kahului's first pastor in 1942.  A small rectory was then built to accommodate him.  An avid painter, Father Gielen also painted the bigger-than-life picture of Christ the King above the altar.  It emained there until the church was enlarged in 1980.

With the advent of Kahului's "Dream City", Father Anthony O'Brien, wanting to build a school, purchased 4 1/2 acres from Alexander & Baldwin for $ 16,000.  Then in 1958, under the direction of Father Joseph Putnam, the first wing of the school was built.  The school was staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph.  Later, in 1961, the convent was brought over from Paia for the sisters and a hall, which would be used for Kindergarten and the library, was moved over from Spreckeisville that same year.  By 1966 the parish had 700 Catholic families with about 3,500 parishioners.  Father Putnam then purchased another acre, this time from the Salvation Army for $ 45,000.

In 1967, Father Ernest Claes was appointed pastor.  In 1969, he built a new rectory for $ 46,000.  His successor, Father. Felix Vanderbrook, started a drive to expand Christ the King, a task that was finished by his successor, Father Jopseph Hendrikcs.  In 1981, the expanded church, built in the shape of a cross, was bless by Bishop John Scanlon on April 12.  This renovation cost just under $ 458,000.

On January 20, 1989. the dedicated service of the Sacred Heart Fathers came to a close with Father Hendricks departure.  A diocesan priest, Father Gary Colton, took over, who in turn was succeeded by Father Charles Oyabu, who served from 1995 until 1997.

In June 1997, Father William Shannon was appointed Administrator and the later on as pastor of Christ the King until July 2004 when the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette was given the care of the parish.

Fr. Efren A. Tomas, MS, former Provincial Superior of the Congregation in the Philippines, was appointed pastor.  His ably assisted by Fr. Wilfredo Iminga, MS.