At the 17th World Buddhist Women’s Convention in Kyoto Japan (May 2023), Hawaii Federation BWA President Linda Nagai invited the attendees gathered, to come to Hawaii in 2027 for the 18th World BWC. The site will be at the Hawaii Convention Center on September 11-12th. Urakata Lady Ruzumi Ohtani was most gracious in accepting the invitation while Outgoing HHMH Bishop Eric Matsumoto and Incoming HHMH Bishop Toshiyuki Umitani received the WBWC flag from the previous Japan hosts. See flyer attachment. SAVE THE DATE
Note: In the near future a dedicated site will be posted for news and updates about the 18th WBWC.
It was only three days after the solemn Investiture and festive Welcome Luncheon for Bishop Toshiyuki Umitani as our 17th Bishop of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, that the Maui Wildfire blew up in unimaginable force (August 8). Today the historic Lahaina town, along with Lahaina Hongwanji and many of their members’ homes and businesses are in ruins and we mourn the loss of lives including those who are still missing. We are grateful for the outpouring of support for the survivors who face the enormous task to rebuild their lives. Along with many other social agencies, the HHMH has established several ways that you can help, so go to their website at https://hongwanjihawaii.com Namu Amida Butsu.
Linda Nagai, President states “The Hawaii Federation of BWAs guided by the all Encompassing Wisdom and Compassion of Amida stands with Lahaina Hongwani and the Lahaina community with hands extended to support their relief and recovery efforts.”
Sharon Higa, President of Maui United BWA shares: “Hope is important because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear. If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today”. Thich Nhat Hanh
“As I speak to our Lahaina Hongwanji’s members, I see hope. They share heartbreaking stories of their Lahaina fire experiences. For the most part, they seem to be coping well. Their resilience stems from Amida Buddha’s guidance and compassion. Our Maui temples have been helping our Lahaina temple members by giving them a place to gather, whether for spiritual or social healing. Individually we are supporting our families as their needs arise. We are all a link in Amida Buddha’s golden chain of love.”
“I am safe”, “I am fine.” Those three little words made a huge difference to the friends of Sharon Nohara (HFBWA Secretary). We worried about Sharon since she lives in Lahaina, Maui and had met full force the wildfires fueled by strong winds of Hurricane Dora so many miles away. Linda Nagai, Hawaii Federation of BWAs president first learned from Sharon on August 9th, a short reply to her text that she lost her home’s roof and evacuated to her Father-in-Laws place, some 9 miles north of Lahaina.
Her Japan trip (May 7-21) roommate, Susan Morishige of Moiliili heard next. “My husband is at a rehab facility (in Wailuku). The subdivision that I live at is in the highest area of Lahainaluna Road. The fire bypassed us and went down the hill and engulfed all the houses below me. I think only 4 members’ houses survived the fire. Everyone’s houses were burned as well as our temple…”
Picture of Sharon (on right) with Jean Heselden of Makawao, and Susan during breakfast on Japan trip.
I have known Sharon for many years since we are both involved with the HFBWAs. I contacted Sharon’s daughter, Jessica who lives on Oahu. She encouraged me to text her mother directly. So on August 21 (13 days later), I wrote a simple message to Sharon, “How are you faring? Can I get something for you?” Sharon’s text reply of 700 words was overwhelming. Again it began with “I am fine” and ended with “Please thank everyone for their concern and sympathy. I am grateful that my house was saved, and I have my health. I have so much more than the hundreds who have suffered tremendous loss. In Gratitude, Sharon”
In her message, Sharon basically shares her perspective as a survivor who remained in the west Maui area while the majority evacuated to central Maui (Kahului & Wailuku). Since then, I have shared her message with close to 40 friends. Email me if you wish to see her entire text. Dhigashi46@hawaii.rr.com
Led by HFBWA President Linda Nagai and 1st VP Claire Tamamoto, Hawaii BWA members and guests will meet their counterparts from the Buddhist Churches of America, and Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada, South America and Japan at the Kyoto International Conference Center on May 11-12, 2023.
As an attendee, here are some items needing your attention. CONTACT YOUR UNIT OR UNITED BWA PRESIDENT FOR DETAILS.
Convention Registration fee – $200 – contact your Unit/United BWA President (deadline Feb. 3, 2023)
Convention Program – TBD
Uniform – BWA Purple Polo shirt (similar to previous one) – $25.00 – Oct. 31, 2022 deadline to order
Lei Making (added to convention Uniform) – TBD
Entertainment – New Buddhist Women’s Pledge (singing/ukulele playing/American sign language) sign up if interested in participating
Montoshikisho – optional; designed by Japan BWA; available at HHMH HQ Bookstore; $45 (a reduced cost is being offered through your temple or BWA Unit – $40.50) click here for design on new montoshikisho
Five Nights Stay in Kyoto (RT air (Honolulu to Osaka); transportation to/from airport to hotel, to/from hotel to Honzan and convention site; Designated hotel; some meals, etc.) – Kintetsu Hawaii (should be confirmed already)
The one-and-a-half-day convention follows our participation at the Hongwanji Founder’s Hall (Honzan) on May 10, 2023 as part of the Joint Celebration.
14th BWA Hawaii State Membership Conference Coming Soon
Please join us when Maui United BWA hosts the State Conference on April 23-24, 2022 at Wailuku Hongwanji with hotel accommodations at Maui Beach. The theme is “Building Healthy Sanghas—Connecting with Others.” Two keynote speakers will be featured: Deidre Tegarden, Maui, “Connecting with Others” and Janet Umezu, California, “Diversity and Acceptance.” The business meeting will Read More
Please join us when Maui United BWA hosts the State Conference on April 23-24, 2022 at Wailuku Hongwanji with hotel accommodations at Maui Beach. The theme is “Building Healthy Sanghas—Connecting with Others.” Two keynote speakers will be featured: Deidre Tegarden, Maui, “Connecting with Others” and Janet Umezu, California, “Diversity and Acceptance.” The business meeting will be conducted by the Hawaii Federation of BWAs president in preparation for the 17th World Buddhist Women’s Convention to be held in Kyoto, Japan on May 11-12, 2023.
NOTE: As of January 9, 2022, the Maui committee formally adopted a change in the format of the 2022 Membership Conference. The conference will be in virtual format only, via Zoom. The registration cost is $100 per person. If you have not previously registered, please use the form above with a deadline of January 31, 2022. If you have already registered, you do not need to do more.
Deadline for requesting a refund of prepaid Maui Beach Hotel reservation is January 23, 2022. If you need additional information, please contact Sharon Nohara at sharon.nohara@gmail.com.
The Hawaii Federation of BWAs along with other Buddhist groups like the Pacific Buddhist Academy has participated in the MLK, Jr. March in Waikiki for the past few years. This year, we have chosen to create a video showing some similarities between Dr. King’s teachings and Buddhist beliefs including clippings of our participation in Waikiki and on Maui. We are grateful to the committee members including Rev. Blayne Higa, Dave Atcheson, Sharon Nohara, Carol Valentine, Jennifer Taira of Ohana Arts and Lois Toyama. Please join us on Sunday, January 17, 2021 at 11:00am at this link: honpahi.link/youtube
At the 3rd World Buddhist Women’s Convention in Honolulu, Hawaii in June 1967, a resolution to adopt the Student Exchange program was passed. In 1971 the first two young women, Jan Aratani and Gail Mamura were sponsored by the Hawaii Federation of BWAs and selected to go to Japan . Since then until 2019, 42 others have traveled to Japan. The most recent young women were Chloe Oshiro of Mililani Hongwanji and Katelyn Otani of Pearl City Hongwanji. Their reflections can be found in the most recent HI Federation Newsletter Fall 2019.
On Saturday, March 7, 2020 at Jikoen Hongwanji an “Aloha Reunion Tea” is being planned from 1:00 – 3:00. It will be a time to reconnect with these young women. We’ll have tea and signature goodies from each island. (event follows the Spring Rep Mtg.). It’ll be a wonderful talk story time, since some of them might be traveling from places beyond Honolulu, Hawaii where they are now working or residing.
Assisting President Lois Toyama are Irene Nakamoto, Barbara Brennan, Caroline Otani (Class of ’87), Wendie Yumori and Carol Valentine.
Susan Kakuda (Class of ’93) first row (left) Katelyn Ohtani and Chloe Oshiro (Class of 2019)
A primary purpose of the BWA is to support the propagation of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism throughout the world. To implement this purpose, our World Federation of BWAs is proposing to establish a Jodo Shinshu teaching position at the BCA’s Institute of Buddhist Studies in Berkely, California. IBS has been vital in spreading Jodo Shinshu not only in the Americas (North and South), but also in Hawaii, Canada, Europe, and Japan, etc.
The GOAL is to raise three (3) million dollars with the interest earned yearly to be used to fund the teaching position of an instructor. This position will be named for two individuals close to our hearts – The Eshin-ni and Kakushin-ni Endowed Chair for Jodo Shinshu Studies.
Each Jodo Shinshu Buddhist temple worldwide is being asked to support this project and the Hawaii Federation of BWAs is in favor of it. Each temple’s goal is approximately $300. The BWAs in Hawaii will spearhead this fundraising effort with all donations earmarked as coming from the entire temple membership. Deadline is December 31, 2018.
Thanks to the hard work of many individuals, we have met Hawaii’s goal of $11,000. As of January 15, 2019, we have raised $14,631 from 21 Temple and BWA groups. Additional thanks goes to the Dharma School Teachers of Oahu and the Hawaii District Ministers Association. If your temple/BWA missed the deadline and would still like to participate in this worthwhile project, contact your United BWA President for more information.
Images of Kakushinni, left, and Eshinni, right, at Hawaii Betsuin.
Hawaii Buddhist Women’s Associations has a new Facebook page. Look for it on our website’s homepage. Click the “f” icon in the upper right portion of the screen. We welcome current articles, photos, news, events. Send information to the following for posting: Federation (Tamayo Matsumoto, Lois Toyama); Honolulu United (Lois Toyama); Kauai United (Rev. Tomo Hojo); Big Island United (K.T. Cannon-Eger)