VOLUME 6 • ISSUE 1 • March 2026

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
A Hui Hou, Until We Meet Again

Aloha kākou! I hope that you are well.

This is my last message to you as President of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawai‘i.

As I explained in a previous letter, our Hawaii Kyodan Bylaws specifies term limits for the Office of President and the last of my three 2-year terms ended with the close of our Legislative Assembly in February 2026.

This is a good thing for Hawai‘i Kyodan and for myself. It “forces” Hawai‘i Kyodan to look for and develop new leaders while allowing me (as ex-President) a break from the duties and responsibilities of President.

It is not a “goodbye,” as I recently explained to members at one committee meeting. I plan to remain active on the Kyodan Board of Directors as Immediate Past President and perhaps on a few Hawai‘i Kyodan committees as well.

I look forward to seeing many of you in the future via Zoom or in person at various activities.

Serving as your president has been a wonderful life experience for me. Remember, my presidency started in February 2020 and a month later, we were shut down by the Covid-19 pandemic. It was a difficult time for everyone, but especially for healthcare professionals and first responders.

Let us remember to express our gratitude to our first responders and healthcare professionals who risked their own lives while containing the pandemic. We, the Hawai‘i Kyodan, responded to the challenge in the most positive way possible.

I am grateful to all of you for helping our temples survive and thrive through the pandemic.

My granddaughter was born in April 2020, just a month into the Covid-19 pandemic. It was fortuitous that I had retired in February 2020 and I was able to help with babysitting duties while adjusting to the Office of President.

I’m not sure which was the more challenging responsibility — babysitting an infant or being President of HHMH! Granddaughter is now a healthy and happy kindergartener — thankfully.

My knowledge of and appreciation for Jodo Shinshu Buddhism over the past six years has increased simply by being attentive and listening — in temple service, at Zoom and in-person meetings, and by reading Dharma messages written by our teachers.

I am aware that I have experienced many “Nembutsu Moments” throughout my lifetime. My life is richer because I have had the chance to interact with so many of you.

Namo Amida Butsu.

Of course, one side benefit of this presidency is that I have had a lot of chances to share information about myself (my favorite topic). My childhood, family, education, profession and life experiences.

You know about my struggles with my bonbu nature. I’ve shared my struggles with golf (ongoing). I know with certainty that the problem is my ego, but I can’t get past it! Thank you, Master Shinran for showing us the way.

Over the past six years, I have made Dharma friends across our state, nationally and internationally. I treasure these relationships and hope that our paths will cross again and again.

Finally, I would like to express my deep appreciation to every member of our sangha including our community friends, for assisting in our mission to “share the living teachings of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism so that all people can have lives of harmony, peace and gratitude.”

Your dedication, creativity and determination in sharing the Nembutsu teachings makes a difference in our world. Trying to make this world a little better is the reason that I will continue to support Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawai‘i.

I hope that you will enjoy peace and happiness!

A hui hou! See you on the journey.

In Amida’s warming, assuring light — in this light, yes, you will walk on.

“To My Daughters” Lyrics Ryuuji Yonemura, music by Kouichi Iwashiro

With Gassho,

Warren Tamamoto
Immediate Past President Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawai‘i