In celebration of the 851st Anniversary of the Founding of Jodo Buddhism &
the 131st Anniversary of Jodo Shu in Hawaii,  Jodo Mission participated in the Pan-Pacific Festival Prade from Fort DeRussy Park to Kapi'olani Park on Kalākaua Avenue on Sunday, June 15, 2025.

 We thank you very much for your participation and support in the parade.
As many of you know, the building of the Jodo Mission is painted pink, so we chose pink as the theme color for our parade. Additionally, pink is also the color representing the island of Maui, and one of our motivations was to encourage the people of Lahaina, including Lahaina Jodo Mission, which was affected by the 2023 Fires.
Although it's out of season, the koinobori (carp streamers) were also used to symbolize our support for all people, which was another important theme. 

Dear members and friends,

Aloha kākou. Time flies—it’s already the end of May! As we wrap up this year’s Koinobori celebration and Japanese Cultural Month, I’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of this meaningful event.  Whether you helped with setting up, taking down, or supported us through generous donations- your efforts truly made a difference.  Thanks to your support, we proudly displayed over 1,000 Koinobori!Now, the Bon Dance season is just around the corner. Once again, Hawai‘i’s Plantation Village will kick off Oahu’s Bon Dance season on Saturday, June 7.
 
Last month, Shinshu Kyokai Mission hosted its inaugural spring workshop titled “Bon Dance in Hawaii – Past, Present and Future,” inviting active members from various Bon Dance groups in Honolulu. Since Bon Dance is seen as a way of connecting people, Bishops of the Hawaii Buddhist Council were also invited, and I was honored and grateful to attend on behalf of our temple.

The workshop featured presentations by distinguished speakers; Dr. George Tanabe, Professor Emeritus at the University of Hawai‘i, known for his witty and accessible presentations on Buddhism and its history in Hawaii, Professor Christine Yano, a cultural anthropologist who has conducted in-depth research on Bon Dance throughout the Hawaiian Islands, and Dr. Judy Van Zile, author of the well-known book The Japanese Bon Dance in Hawaii and an expert in Asian American studies. After each presentation, we enjoyed Q&A sessions, dinner fellowship, and Bon Dance performances by various clubs.

Some of you may have noticed the Yagura (dance tower) and lanterns set up on the grounds of the Shinshu Kyokai on Beretania street last month—those were for this workshop. What truly struck me was the number of inquiries we received at our temple from people who had seen the Yagura. While we rarely receive questions about our Sunday services, this level of interest shows just how deeply people are drawn to Bon Dance.

When it comes to Bon Dance, traditional songs like “Fukushima Ondo” and “Iwakuni Ondo” remain popular, but new songs are also introduced each year. I was surprised that this year, Ewa Fukushima Bon Dance Club performed a new dance of “APT” by world-famous singer Bruno Mars, who is originally from Honolulu, and Rosé. The melody is so catchy that once you hear it, it stays in your head. In fact, I still find myself singing “Apatsu, Apatsu” around the house. It was a bold and innovative move to turn this song into a Bon Dance number.
This reminds me of what Dr. Tanabe remarked, saying “to preserve tradition, new ideas are essential. If we insist on old methods alone, we may lose the tradition itself.” His words really resonated with me in the context of this experience.

The Japanese famous haiku poet Matsuo Basho (1644-1694), known as the father of haikai poetry, used the phrase “Fueki ryuko” meaning “the unchanging and the ever-changing” to describe the balance between preserving essence and embracing innovation. “Fueki” refers to enduring truth, while “Ryuko” represents new trends. Though they may seem contradictory, Basho believed they are inseparable and must coexist for art to stay alive.
This philosophy applies not only to poetry but to all traditional arts and culture. A tradition that rigidly clings to the “old ways” risks becoming irrelevant. In Buddhism, this is akin to the teaching of impermanence: everything is in constant flux, and resisting change can lead to decline.
Conversely, if we adopt modern forms while preserving the underlying spirit of gratitude and reverence, tradition gains new life. Bon Dance continues to thrive and attract people of all ages precisely because it embraces change.

As many of you know, Bon Dance in Hawaii traces its roots to Buddhist observances brought by Japanese immigrants. At its heart is the Obon spirit—honoring and expressing gratitude to ancestors. Over time, this tradition has evolved uniquely in Hawaii.

Today, in addition to traditional Yukata and the rhythmic beat of Taiko drums, you'll see many non-Japanese participants wearing happi-coats adorned with colorful Japanese-style patterns and aloha shirt patterns, dancing with the Aloha Spirit. Modern elements—such as anime songs and even Western pop music—have also become part of the festivities. For instance, “Beautiful Sunday,” originally an English-language song that became a major hit in Japan after being translated, is now a popular dance number at Bon festivals here in Hawaii. These contemporary additions don’t diminish the tradition—they reflect their ability to adapt and thrive in new times and places.
In this way, Bon Dance in Hawaii exemplifies Basho’s ideal of “Fueki Ryuko”: maintaining timeless essence while embracing the present. Tradition is not something to be preserved in a museum—it is something to be lived, to evolve, and to be passed down by adapting to the times.

That said, we need your help to keep this living tradition going!
Our sister temple, Haleiwa Jodo Mission’s Bon Dance will be held on August 1 and 2, and our Bon Dance here at Jodo Mission will take place on Saturday, August 16. From preparation the morning before to cleanup on the next day, we’ll need many hands.  Please mark your calendars and let us know if you’re able to volunteer. Your support will help us ensure that the Bon Dance continues to connect generations for years to come.

Also before Bon Dance, we will participate in the Pan-Pacific Festival Parade with ministers from neighbor islands.  Again this year, we will promote Koinobori celebration and show our support for Lahaina by wearing Pink T-shirts with pink Koinobori!  Please let our office know your participation at your earliest convenience.  As we charter a trolley again, you don’t need to walk during the parade but enjoy riding on a trolley in Waikiki.  A trolley bus will pick us up at Jodo Mission at 3:30pm and take us back to Jodo Mission around 6:30 pm after participating in the parade on June 15th.

And following that, we will observe Obon services in July.  On Sunday, July 6, we will set up O-Toba followed by private O-Toba services and Obon services from July 7 through 13th.  For more detailed information, including the URL and links for online services, please check our website, www.jodo.us.  

Thank you very much for your Kokua and continued support.  Please stay safe, and we wish you and your family a meaningful and peaceful Obon!  

Gassho,

Bishop Kosen Ishikawa  

We are truly saddened and shocked to learn about the recent wildfire that devastated Lahaina, one of the most beautiful historic towns in Hawaii.  With much pain and sympathy, we must report that our Lahaina temple buildings were all burnt to the ground while we are relieved to know our resident minister, Reverend Gensho Hara, and the family are safe after evacuation several times during the night.

I wish to express our sincerest condolences to those who lost their lives,  residents of Lahaina, and all those affected by the devastating wildfire on Maui.  The loss of precious lives and properties is truly heartbreaking and our prayers are with the community as they rebuild and heal from this tragedy.  Please know that we are not alone.  Our ancestors must have experienced this devastation many times in the past and every time they got to be strong and rebuild what they lost.  

According to the Buddhist teachings, life is marked by change with the impermanence of all things, and it is our understanding that true solace can be found in supporting one another during these challenging moments.   May we all find strength in the interconnectedness of all beings as we move forward on the path of healing and recovery.  

We have now two Go Fund Me fundraisers for both rebuilding Lahaina Jodo Mission and supporting Rev. Gensho Hara.  Your kind support will be greatly appreciated.

Namu Amida Butsu. 

Gassho,
Bishop Kosen Ishikawa 

LIVE streaming Sunday Service at 10:00 am (HST)!

Please check Bishop's YouTube Channel.

Jodo Mission Major Events for 2023
January 22 (Sun.)    Gyoki / Memorial Service for Honen Shonin
January 29 (Sun.)  Sunday Service & General Membership Meeting
February 12 (Sun.)   Nirvana Day Service
March 5 (Sun.)   Fujinkai General Membership Meeting
March 19 (Sun.)  Higan Service
April 2 (Sun.)   HBC Buddha Day Service
April 15- May 15   Koinobori Celebration
May 14 (Sun. )  Mother's  Day service
May 28 ( Sun.)  Memorial Day Service
June 18 (Sun.)  Father's Day Service
July 9 (Sun.)   O-Toba Set Up and General Cleaning
July 14-16  O-Bon Services
August 13 (Sun.)  Yagura Set Up
August 19 (Sat.)  Bon Dance 
September 10 (Sun.)  Higan Service
October 15 (Sat.) Bazaar Preparation Day
October 22 (Sun.) Bazaar
November 12 (Sun.)  O-juya Service
December 3 (Sun.) HBC Bodhi Day
December 10 (Sun.) General Clean-up
December 17 (Sun.) Mochi Sale
December 31 (Sun.) New Year's Eve Service

Aloha!   Welcome to the Hawaii Council of Jodo Missions' website.  HCJM is the umbrella organization for the 13 Jodo Mission temples in the State of Hawai'i. 
We belong to Jodo Shu (Pure Land Buddhist Sect) which was founded by Honen Shonin (1133-1212) in Japan in 1175.   
Please visit our temples and/or website for more information about our services and events throughout the year.
The purpose of HCJM is:
a) To propagate the teachings of Jodo Buddhism and the Buddhist religion;
b) To promote generally the welfare of the people of the community throughout the State of Hawaii;
c) To serve as the liaison body for the various Jodo Missions.
Please feel free to join in our temple services, activities and events.