Revered person from Honolulu appeared to be retiring (4)
I believe the answer is:
paul
'revered person' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?
'from honolulu appeared to be retiring' is the wordplay.
'from' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'to be retiring' says the letters should be written backwards.
'luap' is hidden in the letters of 'honolulu appeared'.
'luap' backwards is 'PAUL'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for paul that I've seen before include "Boy's name" , "- Dombey (Dickens); - Jones, dance" , "See 10" , "Epistle writer" , "Epistle-writing saint" .)