Hawaii Council of Jodo Missions
Jodo Buddhism in Hawaii since 1894
The 80th Observance of the Nuclear Bombings of Hiroshma & Nagasaki
Pan-Pacific Festival Parade in Waikiki
Mahalo for your support!
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.
Bishop's Message
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
Hawaii Council of Jodo Missions
2025 O-Bon Season Schedule
Oahu
Jodo Mission of Hawaii
O-Bon / O-Segaki Service on July 11, 2025 @10:00 am (Hatsubon) & 6:00 pm
Saturday, July 12 @10:00 am & 6:00 pm
Sunday, July 13 @10:00 am
Bon Dance : Saturday, August 16 (From 5pm -9:30 pm)
Contact: (808)949-3995
Web: Jodo Newsletter | Mysite 1 Www.jodo.us | Honolulu
Haleiwa Jodo Mission
O-Bon Service on Friday & Saturday, August 1 & 2 @6:00pm
Toro Nagashi Ceremony on Saturday, August 2 around 9:00 pm
Bon Dance: Friday and Saturday, August 1 and 2 7:00 pm -10:00 pm
Contact: (808)637-4382
Big Island
Hilo Meishoin
O-Bon Service on Saturday and Sunday, July 12 and 13
Bon Dance: Saturday, July 13 7pm
Contact: (808)935-6996
Hakalau Jodo Mission
Bon Service on Saturday, August 16
Bon Dance on Saturday, August 16
Contact: (808)963-6110
Web: Hakalau Jodo Mission Today (hakalauhome.com)
Kurtistown Jodo Mission
Bon Service on Saturday, August 2
Bon Dane on Saturday, August 2 7pm
Contact: (808)936-7828
Hamakua Jodo Mission
Bon Service on Saturday, August 9
Bon Dance on Saturday, August 9 7pm
Contact: (808)775-0965
Web: Hamakua Jodo Mission – The First Sanctioned Buddhist Temple Built In Hawaii
Kohala Jodo Mission
Bon Service on Saturday, July 12
No Bon Dance
Fune Nagashi
Contact: (808)443-3531
Hawi Jodo Mission
Bon Service (TBA)
Bon Dance (TBA)
Fune Nagashi (TBA)
Contact: (808)987-8495
Maui
Wailuku Jodo Mission
Bon Service on Friday, June 20 6pm
Bon Dance on Friday, June 20 7pm
Contact: (808)244-0066
Kahului Jodo Mission
Bon Service on Saturday, June 28 6:30 pm
Bon Dance on June 28 7:30 pm
Contact: (808)871-4911
Lahaina Jodo Mission
Bon Service on Saturday, July 5 (Private)
Community Bon Dance (TBA)
Contact: (808)661-4304
Web: lahainajodomission.org
Kauai
Kapaa Jodo Mission
Bon Service on Sunday, July 27
Contact: (808)822-4319
Koloa Jodo Mission
Bon Service on Sunday, June 29
No Bon Dance at Kapaa and Koloa Jodo Mission Temples
Contact: (808)7426735
Web: Koloa Jodo Mission - Buddhist Temple on Kauai - Koloa Jodo Mission- Buddhist Temple
Repentance Ceremony with Yula Yula Lights
has been postponed till Sunday, October 26,
at Jodo Mission of Hawaii
Maui Wildfire Relief Fund for Sensei Lahaina Jodo
Sympathy Message & Statement on the Wildfire on Maui
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
Content from Youtube can't be displayed due to your current cookie settings. To show this content, please click "Consent & Show" to confirm that necessary data will be transferred to Youtube to enable this service. Further information can be found in our Privacy Policy. Changed your mind? You can revoke your consent at any time via your cookie settings.
Dharma Light Relay Service
In commemoration of the 850th Anniversary of the Founding of Jodo Shu
As you may know, Jodo Shu will celebrate the 850th Anniversary of its founding in 2024. As part of this commemoration, we invite you to participate in the Dharma Light Relay Ceremony of Nenbutsu at Jodo Mission of Hawaii on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 11:00 am at Jodo Mission of Hawaii.
This Dharma Light Relay starts at Seiryuji Temple where Honen Shonin encountered the verse, “All will be saved by calling Amida Buddha’s sacred name, Namu Amida Butsu” in the commentary on the Visualization Sutra by the Chinese Pure Land Master Shandao. Honen Shonin realized that Nenbutsu was the ultimate way for universal salvation. Then he descended to the city and stayed at Yoshimizu (currently Chionin temple) where he dedicated himself to the spread of Nenbutsu teachings. Thus Nenbutsu spread gradually and was transmitted from person to person from generation to generation. We call this transmission of Nenbutsu as transmission of “Dharma Light.”
In recognition of Honen Shonin’s footstep of the initial transmission of “Dharma Light” from Seiryuji Temple, young ministers will carry Light with a candle on foot from Seiryuji temple to Chionin where various representatives will get together to receive and pass this light to many more temples and members. Bishop Ishikawa is attending this service in order to pass out this Dharma Light to Jodo Mission temples in Hawaii. Ministers from neighbor islands will gather for this ceremony at Jodo Mission to receive and pass out the light to its members. All are invited and we will present candle light with Dharma light of Nenbutsu to each participant. Light refreshments will be served after the service. Also special Koto Concert will be held after the refreshments at 1:00 pm.
In relation to this Dharma Relay, we’d like to encourage as many people as possible to establish a Karmic Connection with Amida Buddha by participating in the Reiwa-Edition Registry of Nenbutsu Devotees.
On the one-year memorial service for Honen Shonin, his foremost disciple Genchi Shonin expressed his devotion to his maser by having a standing statue of Amida Buddha carved in his memory. Inside the image was discovered sheets of paper in which as many as 46,000 names of devotees were written, who were karmically connected to the statue. This registry attests that many people who wished to be born in the Pure Land of the Western Paradise, created a strong bond with Honen Shonin’s teachings and recited Nenbutsu with deep appreciation. Now almost 850 years after Honen Shonin founded the Pure Land Sect called “Jodo Shu”, let us also recite the Nenbutsu and write down Namu Amida Butsu for the Reiwa-Edition Registry. Your Nenbutsu offerings will be compiled in the registry and dedicated in front of the Statue of Amida Buddha created by Genchi Shonin. Registry paper will be available at the service. We hope you will take this opportunity to make a strong karmic connection with the Nenbutsu.
Jodo Mission of Hawaii
LIVE Jodo Buddhist Sunday Service @10:00am
(In-person & YouTube LIVE)
Content from Youtube can't be displayed due to your current cookie settings. To show this content, please click "Consent & Show" to confirm that necessary data will be transferred to Youtube to enable this service. Further information can be found in our Privacy Policy. Changed your mind? You can revoke your consent at any time via your cookie settings.
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
Content from Youtube can't be displayed due to your current cookie settings. To show this content, please click "Consent & Show" to confirm that necessary data will be transferred to Youtube to enable this service. Further information can be found in our Privacy Policy. Changed your mind? You can revoke your consent at any time via your cookie settings.
Hawaii Buddhist Council presents 2021 Virtual Bodhi Day Service
with One Minute Dharma Talk Challenge by 16 ministers!
Aloha from Hawaii
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.
Island of Oahu
Big Island
Kurtistown Jodo Mission
Hilo Meishoin
Hakalau Jodo Mission
Hamakua Jodo Mission
Kohala Jodo Mission
Hawi Jodo Mission
Island of Maui
Wailuku Jodo Mission
Kahului Jodo Mission
Lahaina Jodo Mission
Island of Kaua'i
Kapaa Jodo Mission
Koloa Jodo Mission
Events & Services
Don't miss out—mark these dates in your calendar! All upcoming events, gatherings, and important dates have been listed here. Remember to bookmark this page to keep up to date with what's going on.
Our Project
We're always working on something. Most of the time, we're focused on providing better service for our members and friends. But every so often we get the chance to experiment with new concepts and ideas.
Otsutome Book
PDF version of Otsutome Book - Daily Devotion Book is now available to download. If you wish to purchase this hard copy, please contact [email protected]
Hawaii Council of Jodo Missions
c/o Jodo Mission of Hawaii Phone: (808)949-3995
Content from Google Maps can't be displayed due to your current cookie settings. To show this content, please click "Consent & Show" to confirm that necessary data will be transferred to Google Maps to enable this service. Further information can be found in our Privacy Policy. Changed your mind? You can revoke your consent at any time via your cookie settings.