Featured News

WBWC TWO TIMELY POSTS

Posted on by Donna Higashi

Besides collecting registration fees from each delegate attending the WBWC, Hawaii must raise more funds to carry out a successful convention.  A  FUNDRAISING PAGE  will be posted shortly on the WBWC Main Page section.  Note that there will be no selling of Ads, like previous years for the Pre-Convention booklet.  Instead, Sponsorships will be highly encouraged by Hongwanji groups and community corporations.  Depending on the donation, Sponsorship levels will be indicated along with additional benefits made to the group.  Workshops will also be featured.  In-kind donations are also being solicited as well as individual donations in “honor of” or “in memory to a loved one.”  Initial deadline is March 31, 2027.

 

Let’s learn to sing the Convention Theme song written by BJ Soriano of Hilo Betsuin BWA.  The words and music scores are found on the WBWC main page under CONVENTION THEME and MUSIC.  Special thanks to the Hawaii Betsuin Choir for sharing the full version.

 

Hawaii Hosts the World Buddhist Women’s Convention in 2027

Posted on by Donna Higashi
2027 World Buddhist Women's Convention poster - English (lowres)
2027 World Convention pages

While Hawaii has hosted 3 World Buddhist Women’s Convention in the past  (1967, 1982 and 2006), we are on the threshold of hosting our 4th on September 11-12, 2027 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort.  Join us to meet fellow BWA members from the Buddhist Churches of America, Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada, South America and Japan.  The steering committee has been hard at work planning meaningful religious services, a wide range of workshops, dynamic keynote speakers and panel representatives, delicious meals, outstanding entertainment, and time to reflect on the Convention’s theme:  “Live Peace, Live Aloha, Live as One in the Nembutsu.”

Click on the nearby Welcome Poster to see our WBWC 2027 main page for more information.  Early registration ends on June 30, 2026.

15th BWA State Membership Conference (March 28-29, 2026) Registration Flyer # 3

Posted on by Susan Morishige

On October 4th, Conference Co-Chair, Claire Tamamoto shared the attached 15th BWA State Membership Conference Flyer #3.

The conference schedule is printed as well as info on Sunday’s Panel Presentation.  The link and QR code for the registration form are on the flyer.  On the second page is a short description of the six workshops that the conference will be offering.
The link for the registration form is: https://tinyurl.com/15thbwa

If you want to book directly with the Ala Moana Hotel before you book your conference selections – go to  https://book.passkey.com/e/51110143.  The conference registration and hotel registration are on different websites to avoid confusion.

If you decide to make your hotel reservation at the same time as your conference registration, don’t forget to complete the conference registration form and SUBMIT your form.   You will receive a confirmation email after you press the button to submit your form.

If you have any questions or require any assistance, please email Claire Tamamoto – 15thmembership@gmail.com

Update on Student Exchange Program for 2025

Posted on by Susan Morishige

The Student Exchange Program webpage has been updated to include the report from the 2025 Student Exchange Committee and reports from Lauren Kana Suzuki and Chad Tsuyoshi Okawa upon their return from their trip to Japan.

To view these reports go to the Student Exchange webpage. 

Go to the bottom of the page for Additional Student Exchange-related Resources to find the link for the 2025 committee report.  You will need to open up the Roster of Student Exchange Participants to see the 2025 students and to download the pdf for their reports.

Welcome back Lauren and Chad!!

"Shaka" Come as You Are!

“Shaka” Come as You Are!

Posted on by Donna Higashi

Participants of the World Federation of Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha Buddhist Women’s Associations Representative Meeting on August 22, 2025 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The lay representatives who attended in person are wearing their 2027 BWA Convention’s Montoshikisho.

We are all still smiling and flashing the “Shaka,” Hawaii’s friendly hand gesture symbolizing the Aloha spirit. It is usually a gesture used as a greeting, farewell, or an expression of gratitude and positivity. Come to Hawaii, just as you are, and things will be great!! (Shared by Convention Co-chair Claire Tamamoto)

In the photo…

Back row: Rev. Yasushi Hasegawa (Hongwanji BFW Admin. Staff-Japan), Tamayo Matsumoto (Hawaii), Sharon Nohara (Hawaii), Cindy Alm (Hawaii), Tomoko Inoue (Secretary General-Japan), Peggy Okabayashi (BCA), Gayle Harada (BCA), Janet Umezu (BCA), Michael Endo (BCA).

Front row: Yumi Suzuki (Hawaii), Claire Tamamoto (Hawaii), Yoshiko Umitani (Hawaii), Rev. Blayne Higa (Hawaii), Linda Nagai (Hawaii), Bishop Toshiyuki Umitani (Hawaii), Bishop Marvin Harada (BCA), Bishop Tatsuya Aoki (Canada), Rev. Hideaki Saito (Director in charge of BWA-Japan).

Attendees in person not in the picture: Rev. Yuika Hasebe (Interpreter-Hawaii), Rev. Eric Matsumoto (Interpreter-Hawaii).

Attending via Zoom were Rev. Hiroki Yamashita (Japan), Maureen Hatanaka (Canada), Rev. Grant Ikuta (Canada), Myra Takasaki (Canada), Penny Atcheson (Hawaii), Bishop Mario Kajiwara (South America) and Kioko Nakasato (South America).

2027 WBWC VENUE CHANGE!!!

Posted on by Donna Higashi

Recently the HFBWA was informed by the Hawaii Convention Center (HCC) that they will be undergoing major renovations.  To accommodate these improvements and repairs, the HCC will temporarily close in 2026 AND 2027, thus affecting our 2027 WBWC.  Our Federation President, Linda Nagai, working hard with our sales contacts and others, has successfully secured the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort as our new venue.

We know all delegates, including those from Hawaii, will enjoy the resort for its reasonably priced rooms.  The nearby famous Waikiki beach and the many top notched amenities at the site can be enjoyed by the entire family too.  The religious services, meetings, workshops speakers, panel, entertainment, meals, marketplace etc. will be easily handled at this one-site venue like we enjoyed at the 2019 World Convention at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis

So in the spirit of Aloha, please join us on September 11-12, 2027 at the  Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort for the 18th World Buddhist Women’s Convention in Honolulu, Hawaii.  Mahalo!!!

Click logo to view WBWC Main Page.

HFBWA Student Exchange Named

Posted on by Donna Higashi

Four Hawaii students submitted applications to the HHMH Federation of BWAs Student Exchange Program Committee for the 2025 BWA Exchange to Japan by the deadline, October 31, 2024.

After reviewing the application materials, each of the four applicants were interviewed on January 19, 2025, one by Zoom and three in succession at the HQ conference room.

After careful consideration two students were selected to represent the Hawaii BWA and participate in the BWA Student Exchange Program hosted by the Buddhist Women’s Federation of Japan.  They are

Chad Tsuyoshi Okawa 

and Lauren Kana Suzuki .  

 

 

 

The other two applicants have been designated alternates.

The program will be held at the beginning of July 2025 (tentatively   July 1-10, 2025)  Congratulations Chad and Kana!

“SAVE THE DATE” 15th BWA STATE MEMBERSHIP CONFERENCE

Posted on by Donna Higashi

A year before a World Buddhist Women’s Convention (WBWC) occurs, the HFBWA holds a State-wide Membership Conference.  This will be on March 28-29, 2026 at the Ala Moana Hotel.  The theme is “Nurturing Nembutsu:  Sharing Gratitude” and will feature a Keynote Speaker, Hands-on Workshops and a General Meeting to cover any needs for the upcoming 18th WBWC on September 11-12, 2027 at the Hawaii Convention Center.

This conference is hosted by the Oahu United BWA, and Co-chairs Claire Tamamoto and Carolyn Uchiyama ask you to “Save the Date.”  A preliminary count is being requested.  (See flyer)  Save the Date Flyer  Please inform your UNIT President regarding your attendance and lodging.

Mahalo BWA Members

Posted on by Donna Higashi

The Hawaii Federation of BWAs will be hosting the 18th World Buddhist Women’s Convention on September 11-12, 2027 at the Hawaii Convention Center.  The selected theme is “Live Peace, Live Aloha, Live as One in the Nembutsu .”  About 2,500 delegates, ministers, spouses, volunteers, etc. from Japan, South America, Canada, mainland US and Hawaii plan to attend.

The Steering Committee led by Linda Nagai (Convention Chair), Rev. Blayne Higa (Minister Adviser), Bishop Toshiyuki Umitani (Honorary Adviser) and Yoshiko Umitani (BWA Honorary President) has been meeting via zoom.  While this is not a perfect system, we gather in this manner since members of the group live on different islands and represent different United BWA districts. We thank the BWA members who have already joined the various planning committees and welcome others to join. See your United President for more details.  (September 2024)

STUDENT EXCHANGE TO JAPAN IN 2025

Posted on by Donna Higashi

After a 5 year hiatus, the Hawaii Federation of BWAs sponsored Student Exchange Program to Japan is back on track.  Young students, ages 17-23 as of June 30, 2025 are encouraged to apply for this approximate 10 day summer trip in July 2025. Included is a 2-3 day homestay and a visit to Honzan to meet Lady Ruzumi Ohtani.  Two will be selected and travel together.  All forms may be found in the PROGRAMS tab – pull down page STUDENT EXCHANGE.   The deadline is October 31, 2024.