special services

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Kailua Hongwanji 50th Anniversary Service

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On August 10, 1968, Kailua Hongwanji Mission became a full-fledged, independent temple of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii. Fifty years later, we celebrate accomplishing many of the goals our predecessors had, including replacing the former temple, a repurposed home, with a modern, multi-purpose building that serves the membership and the broader community.

We held a special service on September 9, 2018 to celebrate Kailua Hongwanji Mission's 50th anniversary. We were honored to have in attendance Bishop Eric Matsumoto; Pieper Toyoama, President of Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii; and several past KHM resident ministers and Kyodan presidents. Everyone in attendance also received a special 50th Anniversary program and a logo gift.

After the service, we took a group photo (thanks Josh Chang for squeezing us all in without any hidden faces) and proceeded to a luncheon at Mid-Pacific Country Club.

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Obon/Hatsubon & Remembrance Day Service

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We held our Obon, Hatsubon, and Remembrance Day service, remembering and honoring those who passed before us. For Hatsubon, the names of the members who passed in the last year were called and family members offered incense. That was followed by our Remembrance Day calling of names of those who passed in July or August of any year.

In his Obon Dharma Message, Rev. Sumikawa spoke of the history of Obon in the Jodo Shinshu tradition. Obon is a festival of memories and joy. We gather in joy, remembering all of our ancestors, without whom each of us would not exist.

If you go back 10 generations, you have 1,024 direct ancestors. Going back 20 generations, that's over 10.2 million direct ancestors. If any one of those individuals were missing, you would not exist. 

Kailua Hongwanji's Obon is on Saturday, July 28. There will be no service on July 29 (Bon Dance clean up), no services in August (summer break), and no service on September 2. Our next Family Service will be on Sunday, September 9, 2018. 

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Gotan-E Service with Guest Speaker Rev. Arthur Kaufmann

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Our guest speaker for our Gotan-E Service was Rev. Arthur Kaufmann. Rev. Kaufmann shared a message about caring. You can watch Rev. Kaufmann's Dharma Talk on our YouTube channel or by clicking on the play button below.

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Eshinni Day Service with Guest Speaker Juliet Lee

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Our guest speaker for our Eshinni Day service was Juliet Lee, a retired associate professor and an award-winning author. Eshinni Day honors Lady Eshinni, the wife of Shinran Shonin, and her contributions to the Hongwanji. You can watch Juliet's Dharma Talk on our YouTube channel or by clicking on the play button below.

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Buddha Day Service with Guest Speaker Barbara Brennan

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We celebrated Buddha Day (Hanamatsuri), which marks the birth of Sakyamuni Buddha around 2,500 years ago. Our guest speaker was Barbara Brennan, who shared the truth, pratītya-samutpāda, that all things are interdependent, interconnected, and intricately joined together with one another. You can watch Barbara's Dharma Talk on our YouTube channel or by clicking on the play button below.

The hanamido was decorated mostly with flowers made out of recycled materials and with just a handful of real plumeria and greenery. Mahalo to the members who have been making the flowers over the past few weeks, donated the real flowers and greens, and assembled the hanamido on Saturday.

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Spring Ohigan Service with Rev. Hiramatsu

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Spring Ohigan marks the change in seasons, from winter to spring. Our guest speaker was Rev. Sandy Hiramatsu, who served as the resident minister of Kailua Hongwanji Mission from 1990 to 1993.

Rev. Hiramatsu shared her memories of the original temple building, marching in the Kailua 4th of July parade and spreading word of our bon dance to the community, and starting a children's choir, highlighting the importance of music.

On display in the temple were two uchishiki (altar cloths) that were made by member Carrie Kawamoto. 

Rev. Hiramatsu asked the children in attendance to pick a stuffed animal that most closely represented the way they feel when they come to church.

At the end of the service, Rev. Sumikawa lead us in singing words of Thanksgiving.

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Hoonko Service

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The Hoonko Service is the annual memorial observance for Jodo Shinshu's founder, Shinran Shonin. With his Hoonko Dharma message, Rev. Kuniyuki took us back over 750 years ago and the evolution of Shin Buddhism.

Rev. Kuniyuki gave us a homework assignment. As a Shin Buddhist, what's my take on the missile false alarm that occurred on January 13?

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Bodhi Day Service

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We celebrated Bodhi Day, which was on December 8. Bodhi Day commemorates the day that Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment. A Bodhi tree in the temple was decorated with lights representing enlightenment, a string of beads representing all beings' interdependence, and three bulbs representing the Three Jewels, the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. 

In his Dharma Talk, Dennis reflected on the past year. What inspirations and influences have we received during the last 12 months? While we reflect back with satisfaction, we look forward with anticipation of our days to come.

The Family Service was followed by the General Membership meeting and the installation of officers for 2018.

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Autumn Ohigan & Peace Day Service

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Today's service was about Ohigan (Autumn Equinox) and Peace. Rev. Umitani said Ohigan is when we should set aside time during our busy schedule to listen to the Buddha's Teachings for guidance.

September 21 was a day people all over the world celebrated International Day of Peace (aka "Peace Day"). Rev. Umitani said we should understand the importance of peace and that peace comes from within.

At the end of the service, the Sangha individually rang the temple bell ("Kansho") to announce our want for world peace.

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Rededication & First Sunday Family Service

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Our first Family Service since our summer break was also our Rededication Service. Rev. David Nakamoto gave today's Rededication Dharma Talk and reflected on his conversations with the late Rev. Dr. Alfred Bloom, who recently passed away. 

Being that it was also our First Sunday Family Service, children and adults alike participated in two fun craft activities after the service: making peace bracelets in celebration of Peace Day later this month, as well as coloring paper dolls. The dolls are on display in the church.

The new uchishiki (altar cloth) donated by the Kailua Hongwanji Buddhist Women's Association (KHBWA) was on display on the alter. Rev. Umitani helped to order and pick up the uchishiki on one of his trips to Japan.

International Peace Day is on September 21, 2017

International Peace Day is on September 21, 2017