The 113th Legislative Assembly of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii convened on Feb. 7-8, 2025 at the Hawaii Betsuin Temple and via Zoom.
VOLUME 5 • ISSUE 2 • June 2025
Giseikai, 2025: Optimism, Building on a Solid Foundation
BY GAIL S. TAGASHIRA
KA LEO KᾹHEA MANAGING EDITOR
Ministers, delegates and observers from Jodo Shinshu temples across the state representing all five districts took part in the annual meeting, which opened both days with services in the Hawai‘i Honpa Hongwanji Betsuin temple.
Bishop Toshiyuki Umitani officiated at Friday morning’s service which included a reading of congratulations from Bishop Gyoshin Ikeda, Governor General of Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha; a welcome message from Wailuku Hongwanji President Michael Munekiyo, and in a memorial Dharma message from Rimban Kazunori Takahashi of Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin.
A moment of silence as held for 2024 Ingo recipients and all deceased Kyodan ministers and members. Ingo recipients in 2024 were:
- Fusae Yamashita Kiyokawa, Hawaii Betsuin;
- Florence Tomoe Sakae, Makawao Hongwanji;
- Fujiko Dochin, Kamuela Hongwanji;
- Rev. Charles Kenko Hasegawa, Buddhist Churches of America;
- Kahu Sherman Thompson, Lahaina Hongwanji, and
- Bruce Yoshiyuki Shimada, Waialua Hongwanji.
Friday’s plenary session included a collection of funds for the Living Gratitude Program which received over $6,000 after a short presentation by Mrs. Irene Nakamoto; the election of Kyodan officers and advisors for 2025; the passage of four resolutions — an Amendment to bylaws relating to Bishop and Internal Components in Articles 13 and 14; an Appreciation for Rev. Soshin Kie and Mrs. Akiko Kishi Kie; an Appreciation and Condolence for the late Rev. Dr. Mary David, and the passage of the HHMH 2025 Budget.
Usually the topic of lively discussion, the annual budget passed by unanimous consent after review by treasurer John Toguchi, finance committee chair Ivan Nakano and business manager Derrick Inouye.
This year’s budget included a donation of $25,000 to Pacific Buddhist Academy in addition to funding Headquarters, the Office of Buddhist Education and Jr. YBA.
After Friday’s plenary session, five timely presentation of wide interest were offered in the afternoon:
- Michael Munekiyo and Derrick Inouye updated the actions of the Lahaina Hongwanji Recovery and Rebuilding Committee’s efforts as they focus on a thoughtful process, meeting bimonthly with FEMA while receiving input from the Lahaina Hongwanji sangha. Relatedly, Ryne Masuda of Moiliili Hongwanji presented a check for $28,281 to Rev. Ai Hironaka and the Lahaina sangha from the sales of “Aloha Maui” T-shirts.
- Dennis Tashiro, Prudence Kusano and Ryan Miyamoto from Windward Buddhist Temple discussed their version of “Rebranding,” highlighted by efforts to reach out to the wider Windward community, expand their social media presence and offering more innovative activities.
- Rev. Blayne Higa, chair of the Social Concerns Committee, updated the assembly with a slide presentation citing the charitable programs supported by the HHMH Social Concerns Fund.
- Pacific Buddhist Academy’s Head of School Josh Hernandez Morse updated the Giseikai on highlights of the senior class.
- Archives Committee Chair David Atcheson shared his Top 10 tips for those interested in preserving temple photos and documents. The committee provides a resource, guidance and suggestions to anyone interested in archiving their temple’s history.
The installation of the 2025 Hawaii Kyodan’s officers, directors and advisors highlighted Saturday morning’s service. A resolution of appreciation was presented to Lily Masuda, Emma Kie and Ayumi Kie Weissbuch, daughters of Rev. and Mrs. Kie for their generous gift.
The Federation of Jr. YBA shared its 2024 activities at Saturday’s plenary session, followed by remarks from two sister organizations — Buddhist Churches of America, represented by President Steven Terusaki and Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada, represented by Bishop Tatsuya Aoki and Rev. Kiyonobu Kuwahara, presenting the Jodo Shinshu International Office.
Bishop Umitani brought the session to a close with appreciation and personnel announcements.