VOLUME 5 • ISSUE 3 • September 2025 BISHOP’S CORNER Gratitude on the White Path As we welcome the autumn Ohigan season, a time when the lengths of day and night are nearly equal, we are reminded of the balance and harmony found in nature. It is also a time...
VOLUME 5 • ISSUE 3 • September 2025 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Hoping Obon Has Meaning for You Aloha kākou! I hope that you are well, physically and spiritually. At Aiea Hongwanji, we enjoyed our annual Obon dance and celebration last Saturday, July 26. It was one of the largest Bon celebrations...
Courtesy of Alan Kubota Ewa Fukushima Bon Dance Club members Ann Inouye, left, Gail Yabuki and Chihiro Okawa, right on taiko, perform at Waiʻanae Hongwanji’s final Obon. VOLUME 5 • ISSUE 3 • September 2025 ‘It’s So Sad to See This All End’ 121-year-old Waiʻanae Hongwanji holds its last Obon...
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 With the pandemic shutdown of 2020 behind us, Choralfest will resume...
See the August 2025 Headquarters Update for the following articles: Bishop’s Aspiration at the End of World War II Commemoration Service + video & posters availability Ring Your Bell for Peace Day (9/22 Zoom | flyer | web page) Shining Spirit Award (nomination form – 11/15 deadline) Commission on Buddhist...
August 3, 2025 Contact: Rene Mansho, (808) 291-6151 Registration: Visit the online form at https://bit.ly/PeaceDay2025 or request a form from Rene Mansho, (808) 291-6151 or renemansho@hawaii.rr.com. Registration Requested By: Sept. 18, 2025 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2025 PEACE DAY IN HAWAII EVENT INVITES THE WORLD SEPT. 22ND; CANADA, US MAINLAND STATES,...
See the July 2025 Headquarters Update for the following articles: Message from Bishop Toshiyuki Umitani about two retiring ministers Ministerial Assignments (Jinji) Condolence IN REMEMBRANCE AND REFLECTION: Commemorating 80 Years Since the End of World War II on 8/14 (web page | flyer) 2026 HHMH Theme/Slogan Poster Contest (web page...
IN REMEMBRANCE AND REFLECTION: Commemorating 80 Years Since the End of World War II Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, the Office of the Bishop, and the Peace Day Committee, in collaboration with Hawaii Betsuin and the Honolulu District Ministers Association, will host “In Remembrance and Reflection: Commemorating 80 Years Since...
POSTER CONTEST Calling all artists and photographers! Hongwanji Hawaii’s Commission on Buddhist Education is sponsoring a poster contest to visually express the 2026 Hongwanji theme/slogan “Nurturing Nembutsu: Sharing Gratitude” The focus will be on “How do we express gratitude in our daily lives? How does saying Namo Amida Butsu help...
See the June 2025 Headquarters Update for the following articles: Message from the Bishop at the 68th Jr. YBA State Convention A Message for Peace to Commemorate 80 Years Since the End of World War II In Remembrance and Reflection: Commemorating 80 Years Since the End of World War II...