Guest Speaker: Rev. Charlene Kihara
M.C.: Lisa Fujikawa
REVEREND Charlene Kihara
Rev. Charlene “Char” Kihara was born and raised in Honolulu, near the Palolo Higashi Hongwanji Temple, and is a graduate of the University of Hawaii with Bachelor of Arts and Master of Social Work degrees.
Prior to becoming a minister, Rev. Kihara worked for the State of Hawaii Supreme Court, District Court, Family Court, as well as Aloha Nursing, as a social worker and at Ohana Health Plan as a case worker.
Rev. Kihara completed the Jodo Shinshu Correspondence Course in 2013, received her tokudo ordination in 2016 and graduated from the Institute of Buddhist Studies as minister in 2022. She has been serving as an associate minister at Hawaii Betsuin since October 2022 and is the temple’s Jr. YBA minister advisor.
Rev. Kihara has volunteered as Mental Health Specialist for the American Red Cross and Family Promise and currently serves on the Compassionate Care Committee of Hongwanji Hawaii. Rev. Kihara is a mom and grandmother of three—and is “pet parent” to Avia, a miniature schnauzer. She enjoys cooking shows on the Food Network and has an avid interest in healing the body through food. She is also a fan of Korean Drama with historical, romance and family dramas as her favorites.
-
As of March 27, 2022, in accordance with the revised State of Hawaii guidelines, the use of masks is optional inside the temple. Please be kind to those who choose to continue to wear a mask.