After more than 30 years, the three-day camp returns to Hawai‘i Island, bringing young people together for Dharma awareness, service, leadership — and fun.
Courtesy of Y.E.S.S. Camp Staff
At last year’s Y.E.S.S. Camp at Camp Erdman near east O‘ahu’s Kaena Point, participants cleared a hiking trail of invasive plants as part of their community service project.
In 2026, in a galaxy not too far away — Kealakekua on Hawai‘i Island, to be exact — Young Enthusiastic Shinshu Seekers will gather for the 42nd Y.E.S.S. Camp on April 3-5, guided by five goals.
Participants will build friendships and alliances, deepen their understanding of the Dharma, explore the grounds of Kona Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, restore balance in their lives, and develop leadership, communication and teamwork skills through shared activities.
Open to young people between the ages of 13 to 23, Y.E.S.S. Camp will be returning to Hawai‘i Island for the first time in more than 30 years. The decision follows a growing number of participants traveling from the Big Island to O’ahu to take part in the camp.
Serving as the Jedi Master will be Reverend Blayne Higa, resident minister of Kona Hongwanji, who will lead participants — described in the camp’s “Star Wars” inspired theme as Padawans, or trainees — in a supportive environment that fosters friendship, lifelong connections, self-reflection and self-expression.
Over three days, campers will take part in field games and group challenges, engage in a community service project, learn about the Dharma, and reflect on Rev. Higa’s message about finding one’s voice during these turbulent times.
“This year’s Y.E.S.S. Camp is special,” Pearl City Hongwanji’s Kenji Suzuki said. “We are focusing on a theme of resilience through the lens of the ‘Star Wars’ rebellion.
“What better way to do that than by hosting our first camp on the Big Island in 30 years? It’s only been three years since returning from the pandemic.”
One of three chairpersons, Suzuki believes the reason volunteers work so hard to put together the program is that they hope to recreate some of the same memories, connections and lessons they first experienced as youth for the young people of today.
“We plan a weekend filled with activities from field games to campfire, from bonding exercises to an outdoor movie night and so much more,” he said.
Funded by Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawai‘i, the event relies on more than a dozen volunteers to coordinate logistics.
