The Hawaii State Lay Association (HSLA) is the successor to the Hawaii State Federation of Honpa Hongwanji Lay Associations. The organization held the 62nd annual Lay Convention from September 12 to 13 on Oahu. Delegates and observers from Hongwanji districts throughout Hawaii converged for business meetings, services, presentations, and fellowship....
Links in the article list below go right to posts formatted for online viewing. You can also view the full, print-style layout of the September 2025 edition of Ka Leo Kāhea (2 MB) as a PDF file. Contents: Lahaina: Anniversary of the Fires Resilience and Hope Lives On in Lahaina...
Photo courtesy of Carol Yamamura Gathered with compassion at Wailuku Hongwanji, from left: Rev. Kerry Kiyohara of Makawao Hongwanji, Maui Mayor Richard Bissen, Bishop Toshiyuki Umitani, Rev. Shinkai Murakami of Wailuku Hongwanji, Rev. Gensho Hara of Lahaina Jodo Mission, Lahainaluna High School principal Richard Carosso, State Senator Troy Hashimoto and...
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...
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...