VOLUME 5 • ISSUE 3 • September 2025
Choralfest Returns to Hawaiʻi Betsuin
Singers from Colorado to Kanazawa will perform at the biennial event for the first time since 2020
BY FRANCIS OKANO
HONPA HONGWANJI MISSION MUSIC COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
State Music Committee chair Francis Okano advises those attending Choralfest to arrive early since it’s likely to be standing room only.
With the pandemic shutdown of 2020 behind us, Choralfest will resume Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 20 and 21, at Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin.
A festival choir comprised of 115 dedicated singers — from as far east as Denver, Colorado and as far west as Kanazawa, Japan, not to mention all the islands of Hawaii — will rehearse at the Hawaii Betsuin Social Hall on Saturday afternoon under the expert guidance of choral director and Hongwanji Living Treasure Nola Nahulu.
After rehearsals, singers will have a chance to relax over an early dinner and entertainment before retiring for a busy morning to follow.
On Sunday, Sept. 21, singers will begin by warming up in the hondo at 9 a.m.
Starting at 10:30 a.m., the Festival Choir will perform at the Choralfest Music Service in the hondo.
A full congregation is expected to hear the choir perform beautiful Buddhist choral gathas that are a part of the Hongwanji’s accompaniment to the Dharma through the gift of music.
Following the service, singers and congregation will enjoy refreshments, a light lunch and fellowship in the Social Hall.
Those planning to attend the 10:30 a.m. music service are advised to arrive early as seating will likely be standing room only.
Choralfest has been held biennially since 2005, except during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Choralfest 2025 will feature five Buddhist choral gathas with a contemporary beat from Japan that were rendered in English.
This year’s gatha selections include “Where, Oh, Where?” (Hotokesama wa); “To My Daughters” (Musume tachi yo); “To All We Owe” (Ikasarete); “Surely, We Will Meet Again Some Day” (Kitto mata aeru ne), and “Upon Clouds” (Nagareyuku kumo ni).
For enhanced enjoyment, a detailed Program Notes handout that introduces the message of each of the five choral pieces will be provided to the congregation.