About
- Organizations/programs: Support organizations and/or programs that promote peace, alleviate suffering, and advocate for the welfare of the disadvantaged, disabled, or discriminated.
- Disaster relief: Aid individuals or groups affected by a major disaster.
- Hongwanji initiatives: Support Green Hongwanji, Compassionate Care, and Project Dana initiatives to help people and/or the community.
The committee is composed of ministers and laypersons who research and study contemporary social issues relevant to the Shin Buddhist community in Hawaii and make recommendations on social action by the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii (HHMH).
Committee members also maintain relationships with organizations such as Project Dana, Samaritan Counseling Center Hawaii, Hawaii Volunteers Active in Disasters (VOAD), and those involved in Maui wildfire relief efforts.
- Rev. Blayne Higa, Chair (Hawaii)
- Ken Okimoto (Hawaii)
- David Atcheson (Honolulu)
- Carol Valentine (Kauai)
- Rev. Kerry Kiyohara (Maui)
- Dean Sakamoto (Oahu)
- Gay Tanaka (Oahu)
Ex Officio:
- Rev. Toshiyuki Umitani, Bishop
- Rev. Daido Baba, Executive Assistant to the Bishop
- Dr. Warren Tamamoto, HHMH President
Social Concerns Fund Drive
The Committee on Social Concerns meets quarterly to recommend disbursements from the Social Concerns Fund and review grant applications from Hongwanji organizations. With the exception of emergency grants, grant recommendations by the committee are reviewed and approved at the next scheduled Hongwanji Hawaii board meeting.
Annual Reports
At each year’s Legislative Assembly of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, an annual report of donations received and grants made by the Committee on Social Concerns is included. The report also includes highlights of other committee news and activities.
2024 Committee on Social Concerns Annual Report final
See also this 2024 Community Impact Report delivered by Rev. Blayne Higa at the 2025 Legislative Assembly. (Navigation arrows will appear when you hover over the slides.)
Grant Programs and Application Forms
- Committee Member Recommendations: CSC members recommend donations based on their knowledge of worthy organizations in their districts aligned with fund priorities and guidelines.
- Golden Chain Grant Applications: For grants up to $1000 for projects that creatively apply the Dharma to social concerns. Any person or group that is part of the Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii ohana can apply.
- Dana Matching Grants: This program began in 2024 to amplify the impact of Dana (selfless giving) by temples and other Hongwanji-affiliated groups to nonprofit organizations. The Dana Matching Grant will these donations dollar-for-dollar, up to $1500 per requesting group within a calendar year.
Social Issues
The CSC engages on social issues in a number of ways besides making grants. Among these are discussions at committee meetings, occasionally crafting statements for public release, representing Hongwanji at events or on panels, or (less frequently) organizing forums.
Here are links to some of the statements issued and positions taken by the Committee on Social Concerns, Bishop, and/or the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii as a whole.
Marriage Equality
- 2010 HHMH Legislative Assembly resolution
(included in brochure) - 2013 Bishop’s testimony
(included in a summary issued in April 2023)
Gun Violence
Racial Discrimination
Anti-Asian Violence
Invasion of Ukraine
Reproductive Freedom
Environmental Harmony