Ministeres and officials gathered with compassion at Wailuku Hongwanji

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...

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Ms. Sadae Kasoka speaks at Hawaii Betsuin on 8/14/25

80 Years Later, Hiroshima’s Horror Still Haunts the World

Photo courtesy of Irene Nohara Hiroshima atomic bomb survivor Sadae Kasaoka, right, addressed those gathered at Honpa Hongwanji Hawai’i Betsuin, assisted by translator Mayumi Miyahara, left, and Ai Nishimoto of the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation. VOLUME 5 • ISSUE 3 • September 2025 80 Years Later, Hiroshima’s Horror Still Haunts...

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final Obon at Wai‘anae Hongwanji

121-year-old Waiʻanae Hongwanji holds its last Obon

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...

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Francis Okano

Choralfest Returns to Hawaiʻi Betsuin

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...

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