Dr. Warren Tamamoto (immediate past president) and Michael Munekiyo (current president) at the Aloha Luncheon photo station on 9/12/26

Founders Hall at Pacific Buddhist Academy was the site of the Aloha Luncheon for the outgoing and incoming Hongwanji Hawaii presidents on 9/12/26.

Bishop Umitani at the podium while the honorees and guests listen to his welcome message

Bishop Umitani with Lori Munekiyo and honorees Michael Munekiyo and Dr. Warren Tamamoto at the Aloha Luncheon

Michael Munekiyo and Dr. Warren Tamamoto shake hands at the Aloha Luncheon.

Bishop Toshiyuki Umitani, Michael Munekiyo, and Dr. Warren Tamamoto during the gift presentation portion of the Aloha Luncheon program

Two presidents, two bishops, and their wives at the conclusion of the Aloha Luncheon for Michael Munekiyo and Dr. Warren Tamamoto (center) on 9/12/26.

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Photo Credit: Alan Kubota, Lenscapes Photography

Hongwanji Hawaii’s immediate past president, Dr. Warren Tamamoto, and Mr. Michael Munekiyo, current president, were honored Saturday, September 12, at an Aloha Luncheon at PBA Founders Hall.

Guests included statewide Hongwanji board members (who had met that morning in the nearby Hawaii Betsuin Social Hall), family members of the honorees, organizational representatives, event committee members and volunteers, and Headquarters staff.

After opening remarks by emcee Dennis Sekine and the introduction of the honorees and their family members, Rev. Eric Matsumoto led words of thanksgiving. A buffet lunch followed, catered by Ige’s.

The program began with a welcome and appreciation message from Bishop Toshiyuki Umitani and presentations to the honorees.

For Dr. Tamamoto, Bishop Umitani presented a Certificate of Appreciation and a gift from Honzan (the mother temple in Kyoto). The other organizations presenting gifts to “Dr. Warren” were HHMH, the State Ministers Association, the Hawaii State Lay Association, the statewide Buddhist Women’s Association, the statewide Jr. Young Buddhist Association, and Pacific Buddhist Academy.

Dr. Tamamoto shared a message. “Serving as your president has been a wonderful life experience for me,” he said. “Never had a regret.”

Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Tamamoto said, “We, the Hawaii Kyodan — all of us — responded to the challenge in the most positive way possible. So, thank you, all of you, for helping our temples survive and thrive through the pandemic.”

Presentations to Mr. Michael Munekiyo included the official appointment letter from the Gomonshu in Kyoto (presented by Bishop Umitani) and a gift from HHMH presented by Dr. Tamamoto.

Michael shared his message. “The only thing I can say is that I am committed to carrying out Warren’s work as well as those of our other past presidents,” he said. “I’ll try my best to honor the principles of integrity and respect of Jodo Shinshu teachings that they so aptly pursued.”

Michael shared how his father’s resilience during wartime incarceration serves as a foundation for his own values. He said, “The lessons of confronting life’s most difficult conditions and finding your way through still resonates with me, and I’ll try my best to share that inspiration with all of you as best I can.”

Headquarters expresses its sincere appreciation to Dr. Warren Tamamoto and Mr. Michael Munekiyo for their dedicated service to Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii. We mahalo the Aloha Luncheon committee chaired by Cynthia Rodriguez, whose members and volunteers attended to the many details and tasks that contributed to the meaningful and smooth-running event. Finally, we thank Pacific Buddhist Academy and Head of School Josh Hernandez Morse for the use of the beautiful PBA Founders Hall.