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Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii
1685 Alaneo Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96817

11th World Dobo Convention Highlights
Edmund Nakano

Our Higashi Hongwanji denomination encompasses 30 districtsin Japan, including Okinawa, plus three overseas districts: North
America, South America and Hawaii. We recently participated in
the 11th World Dobo Convention in Kyoto. In subsequent issues,
we will share the experiences of other participants of the 11th
World Dobo Convention with everyone.

Address Service Requested

In this issue of WA...

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Hawaii Betsuin
Bulletin

6

June 2013

Higashi Hongwanji
Mission of Hawaii

Temple Activities Calendar
JULY 2013

JUNE 2013
6/2
6/2

Sun 10 am Shotsuki service
Sun 12 pm Basic Buddhism study classਠ৻ୁदบઇ॑ୂऒअ

led by Rinban Kawawata in Japanese
6/7 Fri 7 pm Public lecuture by Rev. Ama
6/8 Sat 10 am Joint retreat at Betsuin
6/9 Sun 10 am Joint retreat at Hilo
6/9 Sun 10 am Sunday service
6/13 Thu 7 pm ABCs of Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata
6/15 Sat 10 am What on Earth is Namuamidabutsu?
Study class led by Rev. Frank Childs
6/16 Sun 10 am Father’s Day family service
6/16 Sun 12 pm Betsuin board meeting
6/18 Tue 7 pm O-ko: Informal dharma discussion
Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji
6/19-21 Temple closed for fumigation (Otani Center open)
6/23 Sun 10 am Sunday service
6/25 Tue 6:30 pm Movie night: Departures (उऎॉलध)Japanese audio/English subtitles
6/30 Sun 10am Sunday service

7/6
7/7
7/7

6:30 pm Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji bon dance(Obon service at 6:00 pm)
Sun 10 am Shotsuki service
Sun 12 pm Basic Buddhism study classSatਠ৻ୁदบઇ॑ୂऒअ

led by Rinban Kawawata in Japanese
Fukuhara Conference Room
7/11 Thu 7 pm ABCs of Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata
7/13 Sat 10 am What on Earth is Namuamidabutsu?
Study class led by Rev. Frank Childs
7/14 Sun 10 am Obon/Hatsubon service
7/21 Sun 10 am Sunday service
7/21 Sun 12 pm Betsuin board meeting/yagura setup
Fukuhara Conference Room
7/23 Tue 7 pm O-ko: Informal dharma discussion
Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji
7/26 Fri 7:00 pm Bon dance (Manto-e service at 6:30 pm)
7/27 Sat 7:00 pm Bon dance (Manto-e service at 6:30 pm)
7/28 Sun 10 am Bon dance cleanup (No service)
7/30 Tue 6:30 pm Movie night: The Funeral (उབྷૄ‫ك‬Japanese audio/English subtitles
Everyone is welcome to join in on our sutra chanting at 7 am daily (except Sundays) in the Betsuin Main Hall.

At Higashi Hongwanji, we
remain true to our origins
as an open Sangha,
welcoming anyone who
wishes to learn more
about the Jodo Shinshu
tradition of Buddhism.
A registered 501(c)3 organization

President: Faye Shigemura
Rinban: Kenjun Kawawata
Minister: Makoto Honda
Associate Minister:Frank Childs
1685 Alaneo Street
Honolulu, HI 96817
Tel: (808) 531-9088
Fax: (808) 531-3265
Email: hhhb@me.com
Wa is published monthly byHigashi Hongwanji Mission of
Hawaii for its members andfriends. Comments, articles andother items for publicationconsideration are welcomed.
Editor: Ken Saikihe 11th World Dobo Convention was held from May 8 to 10, 2013, in
Kyoto, Japan, with the theme, “Now, Life is living you.” More than 300
followers from around the world gathered to listen to the teachings of Shinran
Shonin to reflect upon their lives andfind true directions for themselves.
Besides Japan, participants came from
North America, South America and
Hawaii, including 25 members fromthe Betsuin and the Hilo and Kaneohe
temples. Among the highlights for the
Hawaii participants:
8FEOFTEBZ .BZ
After enjoying a multi-course
Japanese bento lunch at Honzan’s
Betsuin contingent seated at Founder’s Hall
picturesque Shoseien Garden, we
attended the opening ceremony at Founder’s Hall featuring Abbot Otani, andBishops Sato’o, Ikeda, Kikuchi, Ito, Kawawata and Sagara. Roy Hamakawa of Hilo
represented Hawaii district in the candle procession, while Betsuin’s Ken Saiki
offered incense. The ceremony was followed by Rev.Yutai Ikeda’s lecture, “Shinran
Shonin and the Contemporary World,” at the Rihga Royal Hotel, after which thevarious districts made their reports. Rev. Osa’s impressive PowerPoint presentionof the Hawaii district’s activities was especially vivid with a vocal and ukulele trackof “Henehene Kou Aka” by Israel
Kamakawiwoole. We also enjoyed abuffet dinner at the hotel that evening
and raised $4,900 from the sale ofdonated items at the benefit bazaar toassist victims of the March 2011 tragedy.
5IVSTEBZ .BZ
Dobo convention participants spent
the day at one of three educational
tours (Lake Biwa cruise & Shiga
temples tour, Osaka Higashi Betsuin &Castle tour and Otani Mausoleum &Kyoto temples tour). The evening’s
activities at the Rihga Royal
commenced with a French cuisinedinner, followed by group talent
performances by the overseas
districts. Of course, from our biased,
confirmed (by the audience) andCruising Lake Biwa heading to Nagahama; humble perspective, the Hawaii
entertainment received the mostcalligraphy improvisation by Mori-sensei.
(continued on p. 2)

Dobo Highlights (continued from p. 1)

favorable comments. The Hawaii group, dressed in Aloha
attire, impressed the audience with live music led byguitarists David Bellino and Bishop Ken Kawawata,ukulele players Keizaburo Tsuji, Ken Saiki, Ed Nakano andRev. Hiroko Maeda, and the Hawaii group singing of
Yuuyake Koyake, The Hukilau Song, Hawaii Aloha and Aloha
Oe. Lead hula dance instructors Faye Shigemura and Mary

Matsuda, with the support of the Hawaii participants, filled thestage with willing audience members, and danced gracefully to
The Hukilau Song. The evening’s entertainment concluded withspontaneous audience-influenced calligraphy by well-known
artist, Hidekazu Mori, and soothing Okinawan folk songs byhighly acclaimed singer, Misako Koja.
'SJEBZ .BZ
Following the closing ceremonies at Honzan’s Founder’sHall, many of the Hawaii participants spent the remainderof the day shopping at nearby Kyoto shops including thewell-priced and great selection Yodobashi retail store, whichfeatured eight floors of shops and restaurants, and from myperspective, appeared to be a larger, upscale Shirokiya store.
The evening ended with another traditional multi-course
Japanese dinner and with nostalgic sharing of memories
with former Hawaii ministers, Rev. Makoto Mine and his
wife, Rev. Ryo Masuda and his family and Rev. Takeo Maeda
at the Ganko
Takasegawa Ni
jo-en restaurant.
4BUVSEBZ .BZ
From thehistorical urban
city of Kyoto, we
traveled via a fourhour bus ride to
the mountainous
country villageof Shirakawa,
where weenjoyed anothertraditional lunch,which included
Japanese warabi
and a uniquemiso-flavored
steak. After lunch,
we visited thevillage’s Higashi
Hongwanji
temple locatedin the adjacent
Myozenji and Shirakawa gassho-zukuri
provided picturesque photo opportunities. village’s fallow rice
fields, where rice isseldom harvested due to declining demand and government
subsidies to not grow rice. The bus journey was unique since2

the Shirakawa and Takayama areas are accessible only bynarrow and winding roads with many tunnels, one of which
was six miles in length. I sat near the front of the bus andcould attest to the bus driver’s skills in safely negotiating
the twists and turns, which reminded me of the 1950’s Big
Island Hamakua coast and Oahu
Pali Highways. After Shirakawa,
we visited the Higashi Hongwanji
Takayama Betsuin which featured
the resilient Ms. Hisako Nakamura (anextraordinary lady Buddhist follower
with no arms and legs) and arrived
at the Hodakasou Yamano Hotel thatevening, where we all enjoyed thepleasures of bathing in both indoor
and outdoor onsen. The evening
concluded with another traditional Hawaii Betsuin’s own
Japanese dinner at our own private “nagashi,“ David Bellino.
dining room, guitar music by David Bellino and karaoke.
4VOEBZ .BZ
After an early breakfast, benefiting from the clear skies
and sun, we enjoyed the scenic, snow-filled Japanese Alps
tour via the nearby aerial tram, which took us to near the
top of one of the steep mountains. We traveled by bus to
Takayama City, well known for its sake brewing, visited a sakefactory which provided free sake tasting, enjoyed anothertraditional Japanese lunch and shopped for sake and omiyage
at the village shops. We returned by bus to Osaka thatevening for a high-class buffet dinner on the 54th floor of theStar Gate Hotel located next to Kansai International Airport,
our departure point that evening to Honolulu. In addition to
the great cuisine at this restaurant, we had an unobstructed
and panoramic view of the airport and Osaka.
Thank you, Honzan, JTB and our Hawaii leaders Bishop
Kawawata, Rev. Osa and Rev. Maeda for arranging andensuring that we all experienced a memorable, spiritual, fun
and friendship-filled convention. Thanks also go to all theparticipants, for their cooperation, teamwork and respect
for others so we could all have an enjoyable and memorable
experience. Hope to see you all again at the 2016 Dobo
Convention in Los Angeles.

Hawaii District World Dobo participants pause for a group shot.

MahaloGozaimasu

We gratefully acknowledge the following for their generous
contributions. If we’ve missed any donor’s name, please accept
our apologies and let us know by calling the Betsuin at 531-9088
so we can make corrections to our records.

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Toshio Kaichi family Mitsue Ikari family
Dennis Kanemori family
James Seiki Shiroma family0)*("/Frances Mikiyama)"/"."5463*
Roy Nakamoto
Mildred Tashiro

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Betty Nishida
Bertha Kawada

William Higuchi
Ikuto Taketa & family Jerry Tanoue
Haruko Uyeno & familyCharles Nishida(0+*,"*.&.#&34)*1

Misao Ujimori

Minako Ito

Atsuko Nonaka
Peggy Arita

Tadao Iwasaki
Faye Shigemura

Kazu Uechi
Debra Saiki

Kenneth Saiki
Katherine Shirabe

Bert Kaizuka

Jan Lee
Harold Kudo

Kenneth Saiki
Anonymous

Kazu Uechi

Takuo Sadie Sakai

Pearl Kurihara

Patricia Nitta
Grace Nomura

Nathan Takehara
Jane Watanabe

Patrick Tsuneo Miyamura
Harvey & Norma Shima

Leatrice Omiya
Edwin Aragaki
Nancy Nakatsu
Amy AbeRalph & Bette Nishida,:0%"/%0/"5*0/(including columbarium, Otani Center)
Haruo Tanida
Moriso Teraoka
Konko Mission of Honolulu

Katherine Kurakake Shigeru Gushikuma

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Doris Keiko Toyama Nobu Davenport

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Tadao IwasakiFrank Childs

Susan Momohara
Florence Nishizawa

Jeanne Kawawata
Takumu Osaaay, the exciting and highly
anticipated Obon season issoon approaching. July 26 and 27
are the bon dance days for Higashi
Hongwanji Betsuin in 2013.
This is the first announcement for theyear for volunteers and donations, andwill continue until next month. Pleasekeep your eyes and ears in sharp tune for
information on our progress. Of course,
anyone may call the Betsuin at any timeand speak with hard-working Rev.
Makoto Honda for details and sign-ups.
This year, the menu will include
curry rice, chili rice, saimin, hot dog,
BBQ stick, somen salad, zenzai, somen
salad, Shimazu Shave Ice, Betty’s Andagi,
the popular Betty’s Spam musubi andsome gastronomic surprises, pending
commitment confirmations. There areagain fun activities for the children and the

Jan LeeLet’s

Debra Saiki

Bon
Dance!

always-entertaining Fukushima, Iwakuni
and Koolau dance clubs, plus the lively
Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko group who
made their first appearance last year atour bon dance.
Preparations have already started.
Donation lists and volunteer sheets areopen and ready for completion with yourname. Some of the items we’re looking forare rice, Spam, nori, vegetable oil, shoyu,
sugar, kamaboko, negi (green onion),tsubushi an, char siu and stewing
vegetables such as potato, onions, carrots
and celery. Cash donations are the easiest
for most people.
The major work days will be
Wednesday, July 24, and Thursday, July25, when we’ll be cutting vegetables andstringing BBQ sticks and measuring theandagi ingredients into pre-measured
bags, starting from about10:00 am at the

Lynn Murakami-Akatsuka

Faye Shigemura
Rinako Osa

Jim Hirakawa
Atsuko Nonaka

Betsuin kitchen. It’s a fun two days when
we can meet other temple members
and share stories and laughter.
Please sign up for any donationor volunteer list if you can. We
welcome the help, not only with thebon dance, but with sharing of yourlife stories and childhood memories,
especially of the temple, which iswhat makes these work gatherings
so interestingly precious. Whengrowing up, I remember friendships
with temple families, such as Haruki,
Ishimatsu, Kaya, Kurihara, Kurakake,
Kidoguchi, Murakami, Matsumoto,
Nakaji, Ninomiya, Nakayama, Okazaki,
Sakamoto, Sonoda, Shima, Takayama,
Tashima, and many, many more.
Bon is a good time to reconnect
through a common goal.
-- Faye Shigemura

5

/FXTPOUIF#FUTVJO8JSFMFTT

James Hirakawa

O
The Hawaii District delegation perform on stage in the Shunju Room at the Rihga Royal Hotel during the 11th World Dobo Convention in Kyoto, Japan.
Audience members were invited to join the group in learning to dance the hula to the melody of “At the Hukilau.” Frame capture of video by Emi Tsuji

Dr. Michihiro Ama to headline
joint retreat and public lecture
Buddhist scholar and author Dr.
Michihiro Ama will serve as guest
lecturer at the upcoming Dobo Joint
Retreat at the Betsuin and also apublic lecture the evening before.
The district retreat is scheduled
for Saturday, June 8, starting at 10:00
am. As with our previous retreats,
we will continue to focus on thetheme of “How are we affected by
Shoshinge through our district
retreats.”
An assistant professor ofJapanese at the University of
Alaska, Rev. Ama received his M.A.
in Buddhist Studies from Otani
University, Kyoto, Japan, and a Ph.D.
in East Asian Languages andLiteratures from the University ofCalifornia, Irvine.
Please let one of our ministers
know if you plan to attend theretreat so that we can better planseating and lunch arrangements for
all participants.
On Friday, Dr. Ama will alsopresent a special lecture on Shin
Buddhism with the intriguing title,“A Neglected Diary, A Forgotten
Buddhist Couple: Tana Daisho’s

Internment Camp Diary as a Historicaland Literary Text.”
The lecture at the Betsuin begins
promptly at 7:00 pm but we suggest
you come early to ensure you are
comfortably seated.

6/25 Movie Night features
award-winning “Departures”
Winner of an Academy Award in2008 for Best Foreign Film and 10
Japan Academy prize awards, thepowerfully moving Departures
depicts the life of Daigo, a nokanshi
funeral professional. While working
with families of the departed, Daigo
embarks on a spiritual journey of his
own as he finally experiences the joy
and wonder of living. Japaneseaudio with English subtitles.
Showtime is 6:30 pm on June 25.
Admission is FREE. Ample seating in
the Fukuhara Conference Room.

उऎॉलधফभ঩ম಩઺‫؛‬ทিஞ੸୙ऋ૰
୚॑ਜी‫ؚ‬ਸ਼৚॔ढ़ॹ঑‫ش‬ೖਗবୁ಩઺ೖ‫ؚ‬उेलਸ਼৚঩ম॔ढ़ॹ
঑‫ش‬ೖਈરೢ੿ષೖऩन॑ਭೖख
ञ‫؛‬ল౰঻ম਽෎൞‫ઁؙ‬ଜჳ৕‫ؙ‬৛૊౑‫ୁ੉؛‬঩মୁ‫ؚ‬ஊొஶୁ
঱಩ৎ৑ী‫ؙ‬োৃ૮મা‫ڮ‬঩‫كౌق‬ଏ৏‫ڬگڲ‬ৎ

Father’s Day Family Service

June 16 is Father’s Day this year.
Feel free to bring all the “dads” in yourlife to the Betsuin’s special Father’s
Day Family service, starting at 10 am,
to help commemorate the special
place fathers have in our families.

ur recently elected addition to
the Higashi Hongwanji Betsuinboard is James Hirakawa. He finds
his new duties very different fromhis day job.
Jim is the second generation
proprietor of Palolo Auto Service,
the 76 service station at the cornerof Waialae & Palolo avenues. He
says that all decisions at the station
only require a short talk with hisson, Ross, whereas, at the otera, thediscussions often involve input frommany people, which can stretch overdays and weeks.
Serving the temple as a member
is important to him, especially whenTemple closed 6/19 - 21

The main temple building will
not be accessible from June 19 -20
due to fumigation. The Otani Center,however, will remain open.
We apologize for this temporary
inconvenience.

HAWAII DISTRICT:ANNOUNCEMENTeme
Please discuss the thnof the 750th Shinra
hat
Shonin memorial, “W
is your true wish?”This is the tentative
phrase that was set.
uss
We would like to discatthe theme proposal
your temple so that we
can come to a mutual
decision.

Jim Hirakawa’s ready smile and pleasantdemeanor has greeted thousands of customers
at his service station through the decades.

it comes to the maintenance of its
four vehicles. He makes sure theBetsuin’s cars are always runningsmoothly so the temple can fulfill

3

4

all its activities and functions in thecommunity without worry.
His son’s resistance to his dad atwork will at times melt when Ross
recalls being stalled in Kailua in his
friend’s car. Attempting to borrow
equipment to fix the problem, all
the service station owners would
gruffly tell him they don’t lend tools.
When they hear that his father is Jim
Hirakawa, however, suddenly theirtools are lent happily. Ross realizes
that other service station owners
respect his dad.
Palolo Auto Service has a
spotless reputation for its service,honesty and reasonable pricing.
Jim is a member of the State Motor
Vehicle Industry Repair Board, which
regulates the auto repair industry.
Jim is also a volunteer at the
Queen’s Medical Center for five

hours every Thurday morning at
the information desk. Helping
Japanese-speaking visitors andpatients is needed on occasion. His
mother, who graduated from highschool in Yamaguchi-ken, spoke
only Japanese to him. Now hesees it as a stroke of good fortune.
Even his customers from Japan will
recommend him to their friends assomeone they can trust.
To add to his busy schedule,
Jim volunteers to drive his
granddaughter, Chaisie, to hersinging, piano, guitar and drill teamlessons. So Grandpa is Chaisie’s hero.
His wife, Florence, says that byrealizing Jim’s effect on others, thefamily’s vision of life has expanded
and made them more aware.
By the way, have you noticed
Jim’s long ear lobes?

O

ur June 2 shotsuki service is our monthly remembrance of our temple
family members who passed away in June of a past year. At thismonth’s shotsuki service we honor and pay respects to:
Dorothy T. Akamine
Masato Arima
Eddy S. Chinen
Matsuichi Fujimoto
Doris S. Fukuda
Philip T. Fukushima
Teruko Hamamoto
Hajime Harauchi
Charles K. Ifuku
Momoe Inouye
Betsy Momoyo Ishii
Hatsue Ishimatsu
Kenneth T. Iwasaki
Sute Kakugawa
Yoshiyuki Kawakami
Masayo Kogami
Thomas T. Kojima
Ethel T. Komatsu
Ima Kono
Hideto Kubota
Jitsuzen Makiya
Kiyoshi Matsumoto
Leatrice C. Matsumoto

Fusano Michioku
Sadako Morita
Michino Murakami
Lois K. Muramoto
Mitsuko Nakahara
Kiyoumi Nakamura
George Yoshio Nii
Katsumi NishidaMatsutaro Nishimura
Katsumi Nomura
Aileen T. Ogawa
Wallace H. Oi
Kazuo “Bob” Okazaki
Satsuki Omura
Kikue Saida
Shizuko Saiki
Katsue Sakai Takeuchi
Henry K. Sakamoto
Kenneth W. Sakamoto
Sadaichi Sakamoto
Sadao Sasabuchi
Shizue Sekiya
Shinichi Shiroma

Kenneth Mutsuo Sugai
Yoshitaka Tachibana
Kenneth Kiyoshi Tagami
Charles F. Taketa
Joe Tanaka
Stanley H. Tanaka
Hazel K. Tanijo
Sue Tanimura
Yutaka Teshima
Vivian Toshiko Tomita
Edward G. Tsubaki
Harry Hideo Tsukamoto
Geroge T. UchidaCharles S. Uchihara
Shigeru Uyeunten
Florence WatanabePeter Y. Watanabe
Ted T. Yamamoto
Russell Ken Yamamoto
Marilyn Shizue Yanagida
George M. Yokokawa
Chima Yoshimura
George H. Yoshino

While shotsuki services are observed every year, special nenki hoyo
memorial services are held during certain auspicious years. These years
include the 1st anniversary, followed by memorial services for the 3rd, 7th,
13th, 17th, 25th, 33rd and 50th years, held during the year prior to theactual anniversary date. Please consult a minister for more information.



/FXTPOUIF#FUTVJO8JSFMFTT

James Hirakawa

O
The Hawaii District delegation perform on stage in the Shunju Room at the Rihga Royal Hotel during the 11th World Dobo Convention in Kyoto, Japan.
Audience members were invited to join the group in learning to dance the hula to the melody of “At the Hukilau.” Frame capture of video by Emi Tsuji

Dr. Michihiro Ama to headline
joint retreat and public lecture
Buddhist scholar and author Dr.
Michihiro Ama will serve as guest
lecturer at the upcoming Dobo Joint
Retreat at the Betsuin and also apublic lecture the evening before.
The district retreat is scheduled
for Saturday, June 8, starting at 10:00
am. As with our previous retreats,
we will continue to focus on thetheme of “How are we affected by
Shoshinge through our district
retreats.”
An assistant professor ofJapanese at the University of
Alaska, Rev. Ama received his M.A.
in Buddhist Studies from Otani
University, Kyoto, Japan, and a Ph.D.
in East Asian Languages andLiteratures from the University ofCalifornia, Irvine.
Please let one of our ministers
know if you plan to attend theretreat so that we can better planseating and lunch arrangements for
all participants.
On Friday, Dr. Ama will alsopresent a special lecture on Shin
Buddhism with the intriguing title,“A Neglected Diary, A Forgotten
Buddhist Couple: Tana Daisho’s

Internment Camp Diary as a Historicaland Literary Text.”
The lecture at the Betsuin begins
promptly at 7:00 pm but we suggest
you come early to ensure you are
comfortably seated.

6/25 Movie Night features
award-winning “Departures”
Winner of an Academy Award in2008 for Best Foreign Film and 10
Japan Academy prize awards, thepowerfully moving Departures
depicts the life of Daigo, a nokanshi
funeral professional. While working
with families of the departed, Daigo
embarks on a spiritual journey of his
own as he finally experiences the joy
and wonder of living. Japaneseaudio with English subtitles.
Showtime is 6:30 pm on June 25.
Admission is FREE. Ample seating in
the Fukuhara Conference Room.

उऎॉलधফभ঩ম಩઺‫؛‬ทিஞ੸୙ऋ૰
୚॑ਜी‫ؚ‬ਸ਼৚॔ढ़ॹ঑‫ش‬ೖਗবୁ಩઺ೖ‫ؚ‬उेलਸ਼৚঩ম॔ढ़ॹ
঑‫ش‬ೖਈરೢ੿ષೖऩन॑ਭೖख
ञ‫؛‬ল౰঻ম਽෎൞‫ઁؙ‬ଜჳ৕‫ؙ‬৛૊౑‫ୁ੉؛‬঩মୁ‫ؚ‬ஊొஶୁ
঱಩ৎ৑ী‫ؙ‬োৃ૮મা‫ڮ‬঩‫كౌق‬ଏ৏‫ڬگڲ‬ৎ

Father’s Day Family Service

June 16 is Father’s Day this year.
Feel free to bring all the “dads” in yourlife to the Betsuin’s special Father’s
Day Family service, starting at 10 am,
to help commemorate the special
place fathers have in our families.

ur recently elected addition to
the Higashi Hongwanji Betsuinboard is James Hirakawa. He finds
his new duties very different fromhis day job.
Jim is the second generation
proprietor of Palolo Auto Service,
the 76 service station at the cornerof Waialae & Palolo avenues. He
says that all decisions at the station
only require a short talk with hisson, Ross, whereas, at the otera, thediscussions often involve input frommany people, which can stretch overdays and weeks.
Serving the temple as a member
is important to him, especially whenTemple closed 6/19 - 21

The main temple building will
not be accessible from June 19 -20
due to fumigation. The Otani Center,however, will remain open.
We apologize for this temporary
inconvenience.

HAWAII DISTRICT:ANNOUNCEMENTeme
Please discuss the thnof the 750th Shinra
hat
Shonin memorial, “W
is your true wish?”This is the tentative
phrase that was set.
uss
We would like to discatthe theme proposal
your temple so that we
can come to a mutual
decision.

Jim Hirakawa’s ready smile and pleasantdemeanor has greeted thousands of customers
at his service station through the decades.

it comes to the maintenance of its
four vehicles. He makes sure theBetsuin’s cars are always runningsmoothly so the temple can fulfill

3

4

all its activities and functions in thecommunity without worry.
His son’s resistance to his dad atwork will at times melt when Ross
recalls being stalled in Kailua in his
friend’s car. Attempting to borrow
equipment to fix the problem, all
the service station owners would
gruffly tell him they don’t lend tools.
When they hear that his father is Jim
Hirakawa, however, suddenly theirtools are lent happily. Ross realizes
that other service station owners
respect his dad.
Palolo Auto Service has a
spotless reputation for its service,honesty and reasonable pricing.
Jim is a member of the State Motor
Vehicle Industry Repair Board, which
regulates the auto repair industry.
Jim is also a volunteer at the
Queen’s Medical Center for five

hours every Thurday morning at
the information desk. Helping
Japanese-speaking visitors andpatients is needed on occasion. His
mother, who graduated from highschool in Yamaguchi-ken, spoke
only Japanese to him. Now hesees it as a stroke of good fortune.
Even his customers from Japan will
recommend him to their friends assomeone they can trust.
To add to his busy schedule,
Jim volunteers to drive his
granddaughter, Chaisie, to hersinging, piano, guitar and drill teamlessons. So Grandpa is Chaisie’s hero.
His wife, Florence, says that byrealizing Jim’s effect on others, thefamily’s vision of life has expanded
and made them more aware.
By the way, have you noticed
Jim’s long ear lobes?

O

ur June 2 shotsuki service is our monthly remembrance of our temple
family members who passed away in June of a past year. At thismonth’s shotsuki service we honor and pay respects to:
Dorothy T. Akamine
Masato Arima
Eddy S. Chinen
Matsuichi Fujimoto
Doris S. Fukuda
Philip T. Fukushima
Teruko Hamamoto
Hajime Harauchi
Charles K. Ifuku
Momoe Inouye
Betsy Momoyo Ishii
Hatsue Ishimatsu
Kenneth T. Iwasaki
Sute Kakugawa
Yoshiyuki Kawakami
Masayo Kogami
Thomas T. Kojima
Ethel T. Komatsu
Ima Kono
Hideto Kubota
Jitsuzen Makiya
Kiyoshi Matsumoto
Leatrice C. Matsumoto

Fusano Michioku
Sadako Morita
Michino Murakami
Lois K. Muramoto
Mitsuko Nakahara
Kiyoumi Nakamura
George Yoshio Nii
Katsumi NishidaMatsutaro Nishimura
Katsumi Nomura
Aileen T. Ogawa
Wallace H. Oi
Kazuo “Bob” Okazaki
Satsuki Omura
Kikue Saida
Shizuko Saiki
Katsue Sakai Takeuchi
Henry K. Sakamoto
Kenneth W. Sakamoto
Sadaichi Sakamoto
Sadao Sasabuchi
Shizue Sekiya
Shinichi Shiroma

Kenneth Mutsuo Sugai
Yoshitaka Tachibana
Kenneth Kiyoshi Tagami
Charles F. Taketa
Joe Tanaka
Stanley H. Tanaka
Hazel K. Tanijo
Sue Tanimura
Yutaka Teshima
Vivian Toshiko Tomita
Edward G. Tsubaki
Harry Hideo Tsukamoto
Geroge T. UchidaCharles S. Uchihara
Shigeru Uyeunten
Florence WatanabePeter Y. Watanabe
Ted T. Yamamoto
Russell Ken Yamamoto
Marilyn Shizue Yanagida
George M. Yokokawa
Chima Yoshimura
George H. Yoshino

While shotsuki services are observed every year, special nenki hoyo
memorial services are held during certain auspicious years. These years
include the 1st anniversary, followed by memorial services for the 3rd, 7th,
13th, 17th, 25th, 33rd and 50th years, held during the year prior to theactual anniversary date. Please consult a minister for more information.

NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Honolulu, HI
Permit No. 693

Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii
1685 Alaneo Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96817

11th World Dobo Convention Highlights
Edmund Nakano

Our Higashi Hongwanji denomination encompasses 30 districtsin Japan, including Okinawa, plus three overseas districts: North
America, South America and Hawaii. We recently participated in
the 11th World Dobo Convention in Kyoto. In subsequent issues,
we will share the experiences of other participants of the 11th
World Dobo Convention with everyone.

Address Service Requested

In this issue of WA...

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Hawaii Betsuin
Bulletin

6

June 2013

Higashi Hongwanji
Mission of Hawaii

Temple Activities Calendar
JULY 2013

JUNE 2013
6/2
6/2

Sun 10 am Shotsuki service
Sun 12 pm Basic Buddhism study classਠ৻ୁदบઇ॑ୂऒअ

led by Rinban Kawawata in Japanese
6/7 Fri 7 pm Public lecuture by Rev. Ama
6/8 Sat 10 am Joint retreat at Betsuin
6/9 Sun 10 am Joint retreat at Hilo
6/9 Sun 10 am Sunday service
6/13 Thu 7 pm ABCs of Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata
6/15 Sat 10 am What on Earth is Namuamidabutsu?
Study class led by Rev. Frank Childs
6/16 Sun 10 am Father’s Day family service
6/16 Sun 12 pm Betsuin board meeting
6/18 Tue 7 pm O-ko: Informal dharma discussion
Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji
6/19-21 Temple closed for fumigation (Otani Center open)
6/23 Sun 10 am Sunday service
6/25 Tue 6:30 pm Movie night: Departures (उऎॉलध)Japanese audio/English subtitles
6/30 Sun 10am Sunday service

7/6
7/7
7/7

6:30 pm Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji bon dance(Obon service at 6:00 pm)
Sun 10 am Shotsuki service
Sun 12 pm Basic Buddhism study classSatਠ৻ୁदบઇ॑ୂऒअ

led by Rinban Kawawata in Japanese
Fukuhara Conference Room
7/11 Thu 7 pm ABCs of Buddhism study class
led by Rinban Kawawata
7/13 Sat 10 am What on Earth is Namuamidabutsu?
Study class led by Rev. Frank Childs
7/14 Sun 10 am Obon/Hatsubon service
7/21 Sun 10 am Sunday service
7/21 Sun 12 pm Betsuin board meeting/yagura setup
Fukuhara Conference Room
7/23 Tue 7 pm O-ko: Informal dharma discussion
Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji
7/26 Fri 7:00 pm Bon dance (Manto-e service at 6:30 pm)
7/27 Sat 7:00 pm Bon dance (Manto-e service at 6:30 pm)
7/28 Sun 10 am Bon dance cleanup (No service)
7/30 Tue 6:30 pm Movie night: The Funeral (उབྷૄ‫ك‬Japanese audio/English subtitles
Everyone is welcome to join in on our sutra chanting at 7 am daily (except Sundays) in the Betsuin Main Hall.

At Higashi Hongwanji, we
remain true to our origins
as an open Sangha,
welcoming anyone who
wishes to learn more
about the Jodo Shinshu
tradition of Buddhism.
A registered 501(c)3 organization

President: Faye Shigemura
Rinban: Kenjun Kawawata
Minister: Makoto Honda
Associate Minister:Frank Childs
1685 Alaneo Street
Honolulu, HI 96817
Tel: (808) 531-9088
Fax: (808) 531-3265
Email: hhhb@me.com
Wa is published monthly byHigashi Hongwanji Mission of
Hawaii for its members andfriends. Comments, articles andother items for publicationconsideration are welcomed.
Editor: Ken Saikihe 11th World Dobo Convention was held from May 8 to 10, 2013, in
Kyoto, Japan, with the theme, “Now, Life is living you.” More than 300
followers from around the world gathered to listen to the teachings of Shinran
Shonin to reflect upon their lives andfind true directions for themselves.
Besides Japan, participants came from
North America, South America and
Hawaii, including 25 members fromthe Betsuin and the Hilo and Kaneohe
temples. Among the highlights for the
Hawaii participants:
8FEOFTEBZ .BZ
After enjoying a multi-course
Japanese bento lunch at Honzan’s
Betsuin contingent seated at Founder’s Hall
picturesque Shoseien Garden, we
attended the opening ceremony at Founder’s Hall featuring Abbot Otani, andBishops Sato’o, Ikeda, Kikuchi, Ito, Kawawata and Sagara. Roy Hamakawa of Hilo
represented Hawaii district in the candle procession, while Betsuin’s Ken Saiki
offered incense. The ceremony was followed by Rev.Yutai Ikeda’s lecture, “Shinran
Shonin and the Contemporary World,” at the Rihga Royal Hotel, after which thevarious districts made their reports. Rev. Osa’s impressive PowerPoint presentionof the Hawaii district’s activities was especially vivid with a vocal and ukulele trackof “Henehene Kou Aka” by Israel
Kamakawiwoole. We also enjoyed abuffet dinner at the hotel that evening
and raised $4,900 from the sale ofdonated items at the benefit bazaar toassist victims of the March 2011 tragedy.
5IVSTEBZ .BZ
Dobo convention participants spent
the day at one of three educational
tours (Lake Biwa cruise & Shiga
temples tour, Osaka Higashi Betsuin &Castle tour and Otani Mausoleum &Kyoto temples tour). The evening’s
activities at the Rihga Royal
commenced with a French cuisinedinner, followed by group talent
performances by the overseas
districts. Of course, from our biased,
confirmed (by the audience) andCruising Lake Biwa heading to Nagahama; humble perspective, the Hawaii
entertainment received the mostcalligraphy improvisation by Mori-sensei.
(continued on p. 2)

Theme: How are we affected by Shoshinge,

through our district retreats.
!Dr.!Michihiro!Ama

Date: June 8, 2013 (Sat) At Hawaii Betsuin (Oahu Island, Honolulu)
June 9, 2013 (Sun) At Hilo Higashi Hongwanji (Big Island)

Place:

Hawaii Betuin, Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii (6/8)
1685 Alaneo St. Honolulu, HI 96817
Hilo Higashi Hongwanji (6/9)
216 Mohouli St., Hilo, HI 96720

Time:
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.(Both dates)(Lunch will be provided)
Lecturer: Dr. Michihiro Ama
Dr. Michihiro Ama received his Ph.D. in East Asian Languages and Literatures from the Universityof California, Irvine. He is Assistant Professor of Japanese at the University of Alaska, Anchorage. He
is the author of Immigrants to the Pure Land: The Modernization, Acculturation, and Globalization of
Shin Buddhism, 1898-1941 published by the University of Hawai‘i Press (2011).
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please call your temple or
Higashi Hongwanji Hawaii District Office: (808)531-1231
Detach here and give to your minister
I would like to participate in the Dobo Joint Retreat,
On June 8th at Hawaii Betsuin in Honolulu.
On June 9th at Hilo Higashi Hongwanji in Big island.
Your Name!

TempleSpecial Lecture on
Shin Buddhism
Shinshu Center of America
Free and Open to the Public
Place: Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii
1685 Alaneo Street, Honolulu

Dr. Michihiro Ama

Date and Time: Friday, June 7, 2013                      
7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Lecturer: Dr. Michihiro Ama
Lecture Title:

A Neglected Diary, A Forgotten Buddhist Couple:
Tana Daishs Internment Camp Diary as a Historical and Literary Text
During four years of internment caused by World War II, Tana Daish, a Shin Buddhist minister, kept
a diary in Japanese. After his death, his wife, Tana Tomoe, published his writings under the title Santa
Fe Rzubgu senji tekikokujin yokuryusho nikki (A Diary of An Enemy Alien in Santa Fe andLordsburg Internment Camps, hereafter The Internment Camp Diary) in four volumes between 1976
and 1989. The diary begins on December 7, 1941the day the Japanese Navy attacked Pearl Harbor,leading to Tanas arrest three months later by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and separation fromhis familyand ends on March 31, 1946three days before his release by the War Relocation
Authority. This study explores the place of Tomoes poetry in the work and examines the diary as atextual device by which Tana sought his identity and reconstructed his religion.
Dr. Michihiro Ama received his Ph.D. in East Asian Languages and Literatures from the Universityof California, Irvine. He is Assistant Professor of Japanese at the University of Alaska, Anchorage. He
is the author of Immigrants to the Pure Land: The Modernization, Acculturation, and Globalization of
Shin Buddhism, 1898-1941 published by the University of Hawaii Press (2011).

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Higashi Hongwanji Hawaii District Office: (808)531-1231