January 2018 The Newsletter of Mililani Hongwanji Mission Volume 41 Issue No. 1

Temple activities should be posted as soon as possible on the “MASTER CALENDAR” located on the bulletin board for inclusion in the Dharma Connection calendar and for general temple planning.

1 Mon 10:00 AM New Year's Day Service

5 Fri 7:30 PM Mindful Meditation 7 Sun 9:00 AM Family Service & Dharma School (Introduce/draft posters)

Installation of Kyodan Board & BWA Officers for 2018 9 Tue 9:00 AM Parkinson's Support Group Meeting 9 Tue 10:00 AM BWA Visit to Wahiawa Hospital Nursing & Rehab Ctr

10 Wed 7:30 PM Kyodan Board of Directors Meeting 12 Fri 7:00 PM Music Jam Session 14 Sun 9:00 AM Joint Memorial & Family Service (Ki-Aikido Car Wash)

10:15 AM BWA Meeting 16 Tue 8:00 AM Flower Arrangement Class 21 Sun 9:00 AM Ho'onko Service & Dharma School--Work on Posters

10:30 AM 1st Annual Appreciation Luncheon (see insert) 25 Thu 9:00 AM Lotus Connection 28 Sun 8:00 AM Jr. YBA/Dharma School Sangha Appreciation Breakfast

28 Sun 9:00 AM Family Service & Dharma School (Lesson to be advised)

10:00 AM BWA To Serve Zenzai

2 Fri 7:30 PM Mindful Meditation

4 Sun 9:00 AM Family Service & Dharma School (Scout Sunday)

9 Fri 7:00 PM Music Jam Session

11 Sun 9:00 AM Joint Memorial & Family Service (BWA Dana Day Service & Ki-Aikido Car Wash)

10:15 AM BWA Meeting

13 Tue 9:00 AM Parkinson's Support Group Meeting

14 Wed 7:30 PM Kyodan Board of Directors Meeting

18 Sun 9:00 AM Family Service & Dharma School

22 Thu 9:00 AM Lotus Connection

23 Fri 7:00 PM Music Jam Session

25 Sun 9:00 AM Family Service & Dharma School

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Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii HEADQUARTERS UPDATE

(Go to Mililani Hongwanji’s website for complete update.)(

New Year’s Greeting

At the beginning of this New Year, I would like to extend my warmest greetings to you.

Last September, I had the opportunity to visit the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Ha-waii as Monshu for the first time. It was wonderful to have met with so many people at each temple, and I would like to extend my appreciation for everyone’s warm hospitality.

At Hongwanji in Kyoto, Japan, from October 1, 2016 until this past May 31, the Com-memoration on the Accession of the Jodo Shinshu Tradition was conducted with attend-ance of about one hundred fifty thousand people from throughout Japan and our over-seas sanghas. Since the days of our founder Shinran Shonin, for nearly 800 years, the Jodo Shinshu teaching has been cherished and carefully handed down to us today by our predecessors. Reflecting on this, I am truly grateful to have been able to recite the Nem-butsu together with many of you who took part in the services whether it be in person or through the internet.

Being enabled to hear the working of Amida Buddha’s voice calling to us, we become aware of our true self, in which we have the difficulty of accepting things just as they are, and being caught up in our own selfish mindset. That is why it becomes all the more important that we continue to listen to the teaching of Amida. As we appreciate the Buddha’s great wisdom and compassion, we are naturally guid-ed to care for and aspire to live together with one another.

In this New Year, let us continue to listen to the teaching while following the Nembutsu path together with every-one. January 1, 2018 OHTANI Kojun Monshu Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha

Happy New Year! “The Value of Harmony”

Please let me express my warmest Aloha and Best Wishes to you for a joyous and har-monious New Year! At the start of the New Year, let me share some Dharma sayings which have a special place in my heart. First, (slightly adapted) from “The Teaching of Buddha,” “Thousands of peo-ple may live in a community, but it is not a true community until everyone knows each other and has empathy for one another. A true community has faith and wisdom that illuminate it. It is place where people know and trust one another and there is harmony. In fact, harmony is the life and essence of a true community or organization.” “Thus, the true teaching is the funda-mental requirement of a perfect organization.” Secondly from Prince Shotoku, “Let us cease from wrath and refrain from angry looks. Nor let us be resentful when others differ from us.” “We are not unquestionably sages, nor are they unquestionably fools. Both of us are simply ordinary people. How can any person lay down a rule by which to distin-guish right from wrong? For we are all, one with another, wise and foolish, like a ring which has no end.” “Sincerely re-vere the Three Treasures. The Three Treasures are: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.” “There is no age in which people cannot find the Dharma to be noble. Those who are extremely wicked are few, but when they are taught the Dharma, the can follow it. Unless they align themselves with the Three Treasures, on what basis can they correct their mistaken ways?” Thirdly, Shinran Shonin’s words, “May there be peace in the world and may the Buddha’s Teaching spread!” Continued

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President’s Message Embrace Change: Harmony

Accept Differences

Our theme for 2018 calls us to walk the path of change in harmony by accepting differences. It is a particularly difficult time for us to walk this path while the world seems to be dissolving into divisive fragments. As we are swept by world events that seek to divide us one from the other, many feel that the development and flow of events are no longer in our control. We are simply bystanders watching human society fracture and its pieces fall away from each other. These sweeping events make us feel that our personal efforts to accept differences and live in harmony are inconsequential. How can a small personal act on my part change the course of world events? How can I make a difference?

It would be unfortunate if a world full of caring people are overtaken by doubt that one person can actually make a difference. Such doubt about the value of our personal ac-tions surely dooms all of us to be blown about as leaves are scattered before gusts of wind.

The teachings tell us of the preciousness of life, each person’s life, and the preciousness of a single act of kind-ness that emanates from that life. If Namo Amida Butsu is real and true then actions that naturally evolve from Namo Amida Butsu are real and true.

As we meet the tasks and events that we set for ourselves, let us take them on in the spirit of the Nembutsu. It is through the love and presence of Amida in our lives that we have these precious opportunities to bring joy into this world, into the lives of others and into our lives. So as each day unfolds in 2018, let us reflect on the opportunities that await us and review the tasks and events we have planned. With hands in gassho, let the sound of Namo Amida Butsu flow from our lips with gratitude that on this day, embraced by the love of Amida, we have the chance to meet those with different thoughts and feelings from us, to accept them as fellow travelers, to wish that no difficulties come to them, and that they live in peace and harmony. Let us remember the small actions we take to create harmo-ny in the world in 2018. And let these small actions collectively speak of our sincere desire for peace. Namo Amida Butsu Pieper J. Toyama, President

Continued

Our Theme & Slogan for 2018 is Embrace Change: Harmony (Accept Differences) and encourages us to accept differences and live in harmony with each other, but due to our self-centered tendencies this is most challenging. However, we are being encouraged by the Buddha-Dharma. Harmony and accepting differences is not a sign of weakness or powerlessness. On the contrary, it requires deep insight and inner strength as exemplified by the Two-Headed Bird/Gumyocho (found in the border pattern of this year’s calendar) that symbolizes the truth of interde-pendency which our 25th Spiritual Leader is emphasizing. His Eminence Gomonshu Kojun Ohtani shares “Everything in this world exists based on interdependency. When we are not aware of this, we tend to think to our-selves that our own perspective is the only one that is right and justified. This is what causes conflicts to arise.” “How then, do we attain peace that we seek in the world today?” “…it is necessary that we first treat others with the same care and respect that we would show ourselves.” “The weakness of our relationships with each other is the result of us thinking about ourselves more than others.”

In 2018, nurtured by Buddha’s Wisdom and Compassion, may we become more aware of the virtues of humility, self-reflection, mutual respect, non-violence, equality and harmony contributing towards a more peaceful, com-passionate and harmonious world. Namo Amida Butsu/ Entrusting in All-Inclusive Wisdom and All-Embracing Com-passion!

In Gassho/Anjali,

Bishop Eric Matsumoto Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii

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2018 New Year’s Message: Embrace Change-Harmony (Accept Differences)

At the beginning of the new year, I would like to convey, on behalf of my family and I, a most heartfelt aspiration for a joyous and prosperous new year embraced in Inconceivable Wisdom and Im-measurable Compassion.

This year’s slogan for Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawai’i is “Embrace Change-Harmony (Accept

Differences). As we look back at many of the events of 2017, this slogan is even more powerful for us to-day as we live in a world full of uncertainty, however, there is hope and optimism through the power of Namo Amida Butsu and it’s “dynamic working.”

Gomonshu Kojun Ohtani states, “We interpret Amida Buddha to mean, “The dynamic working that reveals to us true reality.” What does he mean by that? He further goes on to say, that “true reality does not distinguish between the atmosphere, ocean, vegeta-tion, wildlife, and all other natural phenomena and humans.”

In the evenings as my wife and I decompress after a long day, while sitting on the lanai, we can see the world going by. Day turns to night, the lights slowly coming on around the neighborhood, people tak-ing their nightly strolls, it all seems inapplicable to our own lives. However, all of these events is truly the “dynamic working” in which the natural phenomena of life is occurring right in front of our lives. I truly appreciate moments like this. It is truly the power of Namo Amida Butsu at work.

As we head in the 2018, let us reflect on how this “dynamic working” is working in our own lives. I

encourage you to write those feelings down. Then we start to get a feel of the Power of Namo Amida Butsu working and embracing us.

This year, we will attempt, as one of our goals, define what it means to “Nurture the Sangha” and

what a “Dharma Centered Organization” means. When you think about it, we are all apart if this, even in the smallest of ways.

I would like you all to know how proud I am to serve as your resident

minister. We have come a long way, and as we define these “terms” we will be making changes here and there, however, as the slogan states, we have to embrace the chang-es and accept the differences, and as we work through these changes as a collective, we will make Mililani Hongwanji a stronger, more vibrant spiritual home not only for our members, but for our community as well.

Rev. David Fujimoto

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Aloha Mililani Hongwanji Ohana!

Shinnen Akemashite Omedeto Gozaimasu! Kung Hee Fat Choi! Xin Nian Hano! Manigong Bagong Taon! Bonne An-nee! Prosit Neujahr! Hauoli Makahiki Hou! Buon Anno! Se He Bok Manibat Uh Seyo! Feliz Ano Nuevo! Thank you for the privilege and honor of serving as your president for the past 2 years, and the bonus for serving again in 2018! You can tell that I truly enjoy serving because of the teamwork, camaraderie, friendships, and heartwarming results that make it so enjoyable! I hope that you also have felt that sense of family, caring, progress, and hope for the bright future of our Mililani Hongwanji Ohana! Our diversity of activities have helped us embrace the teachings of Jodo Shinshu in our daily lives, right? Here are highlights of our amazing year of 2017!

Traditional temple activities: 1. 40th Anniversary Celebration 2. Mililani Hongwanji Columbarium Dedication 3. Monthly Family and Memorial Services 4. Oahu District Presidents and Ministers Coffee Hour at Mililani Hongwanji 5. Hoonko Service with Zenzai 6. Gisekai - Legislative Assembly 7. Patch of Madness / Buddha Bowling Bash 8. Sangha Day at Aiea Hongwanji 9. Hanamatsuri Service 10. Hatsu Bon and Bon Dance with Food Trucks 11. Ohigan Service 12. Dharma School outings at Wet’n’Wild/ Mosque tour/Ice Palace 13. Baccalaureate Luncheon 14. Gomonshu Visit / Confirmation Ceremony 15. BWA Conference / Oahu Lay Convention / Oahu District Council Meetings 16. Monthly Meditation nights 17. Surprise Yakudoshi Party for Rev. David Fujimoto 18. Bodhi Day Service at Soto Mission of Hawaii 19. Kyodan Board, Committees, Winter Party 20. Dharma School Sundays 21. Buddhist Women’s Association Projects 22. Jr. YBA Projects 23. Sunday Adult Dharma Sessions

We are grateful for our Temple Affiliated Groups: 1. Mililani Hongwanji Judo Club 2. Mililani Hongwanji Ki-Aikido Club 3. Mililani Adult Day Care 4. Lotus Connection 5. MH Jammers 6. Qi Gong Class 7. Project Dana 8. Flower Arrangement Class 9. Line Dancing Class 10. Parkinson’s Support Group

Something to look forward to in January 21, 2018, please attend our 1st Annual Appreciation Luncheon, for more fun and fellowship as we share our appreciation for our Mililani Hongwanji members, families, and friends! Without them and you, we could not function. With them and you, we will continue to prosper. Everyone is invited for brunch and entertainment. Make sure you sign up! Email: renemansho@hawaii.rr.com, Ph: 291-6151, or sign up sheet at temple. You’re also invited to a community meeting to discuss the current Drug Abuse Problem with Opioids- Information and Prevention - on Thursday, January 25, 2018, 7:00-9:00 PM at Mililani High School. in gassho, and Happy New Year! Rene

President’s Corner

Rene Mansho

Community Involvement activities: 1. Wahiawa Nursing and Rehab Center bi-monthly visitation 2. Mililani High School Community Quarterly Mtgs./MHS Carnival Booth 3. Martin Luther King Parade 4. Medical Aid in Dying 5. C.A.R.E. Day - Mililani Adult Day Care Visitation 6. ALEA Bridge - Homeless in Wahiawa and Mililani support activities 7. Kuruma Ningyo Master Puppeteer Koryu Nishikawa demonstration 8. Foodland Give Aloha Program 9. Going Green Community Recycling Clean Up Day 10. Olaloa Senior Living Holiday Parade 11. Mililani Town Holiday Parade 12. Christmas Caroling 13. Mililani Holiday Festival - making free Christmas ornaments 14. Feed the Souls Project, Wahiawa Winter Wonderland - ALEA Bridge Homeless Support 15. Adopt-a-Highway Project 16. Ehime Maru Memorial Cleaning

2017 was a very good year for the BWA. We helped at our temple and performed numerous communi-ty services. We look forward to another engaging and rewarding year.

On Wednesday, December 6, 2017, we had our annual membership/dinner meeting at the temple. We enjoyed the fellowship, an icebreaker game, the delicious food, and singing holiday songs accompanied by Rene on guitar. In lieu of grab bags, we requested monetary donations, which will be given to the Bobby Benson Center and the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Good Neighbor Fund. Our members generously donated $545.00. We welcomed Lani Yamami a new BWA member. We also recognized five BWA members, Dorothy, Carrie, Joyce N., Diane, and Nancy along with Rev. Fujimoto for their perfect attendance at our monthly BWA meetings. Don’t forget to re-new your BWA membership ($20) by January 31, 2018 with Joyce Ogawa.

We will continue to visit the Wahiawa Skilled Nursing Facility in 2018. Our next visitation is on Tuesday, January 9. Meet at the temple at 9:30 a.m. to carpool or at the hospital at 10:00. If you have a New Year’s res-olution list, add the visit to the Wahiawa Skilled Nursing Facility. It’s rewarding to see the clients enjoy and par-ticipate in our sing-along. We also invite sangha members to join us in this community service.

In 2018, BWA meetings will be held on the second Sunday of each month. Our next meeting is on Janu-ary 14 after the service.

On January 28, the BWA ladies and Rev. Fujimoto will be serving zenzai, a New Year’s tradition.

Mililani Hongwanji

Buddhist Women’s

Association (BWA)

Annual Membership

Dinner/Meeting

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Happy New Year! We hope your holiday season was filled with wonderful memories and everyone is rested and ready to start 2018!

We only had one activity in December—on the 17th, a small but mighty group braved the cold of the Ice Palace at the Stadi-um Mall and had a fun time ice skating along with a yummy pizza lunch. Our group consisted of students, teachers, and parents/grandparents; some first time skaters, some who skated before, and others who just observed. With the change of the Joint Memorial service being held on the 2nd and not 1st Sunday beginning this year, please take note of the impact on our Dharma School schedule. There will be no Dharma class on the 2nd Sun-day of each month. Classes will be held on the 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 5th (when applicable) Sunday. Also, the Dharma School/Jr. YBA will be the emceeing service on the last Sunday of each month. So we’ll be looking for volunteers.

Here’s what we have planned for January:

January 7 – Introduce the 2018 DSTO Poster Contest theme and begin poster drafts

January 21 – Work on posters

January 28 – Lesson to be advised

On Sunday, January 28th, the Dharma School and Jr. YBA will be hosting the annual Sangha Appreciation Break-fast at 8:00am at the temple. We are asking students and families to meet at the Ed building kitchen at 7:00am to help prepare breakfast for the Sangha to show our appreciation for their support throughout the year.

We are looking forward to another fun year, enjoying each other’s company while learning the Dharma! Please feel free to see Dharma School Co-Directors Roger Babcock or Claire Doi or any of the Dharma School staff if you have any questions or need more info.

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2017 Keirokai Honorees Summary (11/23/2017) Interviewee: Mrs. Shirley Yamakawa for Harry Yamakawa

Dharma School students: Xander Babcock, Grant Lau and Audrey Lau Shirley shared a collection circa 1930 milk bottles and described how the bottle covers were used for their uniquely Hawaiian childhood games that in later years became a popular collector’s item as POGS. Going through his life experiences, Harry’s earliest memory was the sights and smells of the cane fields aflame. The fields were lit with flamethrowers from 5:00 a.m. This was an exciting event of his child-hood years. For Harry, as the oldest member of the family, he clearly remem-bers his grandfather who drove a taxi until he was 92 years old. Grand-pa passed away a year later at age 93. Yet the family felt he was a terri-ble driver who continued to have his license renewed. Harry met Shirley while attending college at the University of Hawaii at Manoa when she went to buy fish where Harry worked as a fish cutter at Star Market. Harry often gave them more fish, more than they paid for. This was a start of a friend-ship. Now in retirement, Harry looks back at his first favorite job as a fish clerk doing the cleaning, filleting, and handling of sea-food.

Interviewee: Mrs. June Shimata for Charles Shimata

Dharma School students: Dymin Kakazu, Diandra Thomson and Darius Thomson Mr. Charles Shimata was born on Valentine’s Day 1937. He grew up in Wahiawa and was one of six children. Mr. Shi-mata's family had a laundry business, which all the Shimata children worked at. One of his earliest memory is the day that the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor as bullets hit the roof of his house. Charles was just 4 years old. Mr. Shimata met the future Mrs. June Shimata when he was an advisor for a boy’s social club. Charles graduated from Leilehua High School and June was a “town girl” and attended Kaimuki High School. They had 500 guests at their wedding and had an orchestra that featured entertainers singing Japanese songs. The Shimata’s have been together for over 60 years and have been married for 53 wonderful years. After high school, Charles attended technical school and became a TV and radio repairman. Our Dharma School stu-dents probably have never even been in a TV/radio repair shop! Mr. Shimata then worked many years with the Hawaii National Guard and worked with the Nike Missile program which was Hawaii’s air defense at the time. He then worked for the local tele-phone company now known as Hawaiian Telcom. While at the phone company’s sponsored golf tournament, Charles was on a Pro-Am team with professional golfer Andy North. June notes that Charles was an avid golfer, although he gave it up a few years ago

Interviewee: Mrs. Ethel Kawahara

Dharma School students: Maya Nakamoto, Mari Nakamoto, Tanner Nakamoto, Danny Noia and Sarah Noia Mrs. Ethel Kawahara was born on Maui and lived there until age 8 when her family moved to Oahu. She grew up in the sugar plantation town of Puʻunene near Kahului. Ethel is the eldest of 8 children--3 girls and 5 boys. Ethel’s name at birth was Setsuyo but at about age 4 was given the name Ethel because Setsuyo was too difficult to pronounce. She legally changed to her English name after she got married. When asked who the oldest relative she remembered was, Ethel replied, her paternal grandfather. She remembered that her grandfather went back to Okinawa in 1948 after the war, when Japanese were allowed to travel out of the is-lands. And as was common at the time, Ethel’s parents met through an arranged marriage. As a child and probably because she was the eldest, Ethel remembers helping her mom make mochi and andagi for their New Year’s Day meal. But her favorite food now is soba. It was on a blind date that Ethel met the young and handsome Mamoru Kawahara. A blind date was a new concept for the dharma school students. The Kawahara were married on November 17, 1962 at the Honpa Hongwanji and just celebrated their 55th anniversary. Congratulations Ethel and Mamoru! Their son Scott was born in April 1970. Buddhism has been a constant in Ethel’s life from when she was little. However, she did move around when she was younger and the family would attend different churches, whichever was closest, therefore, exposing Ethel to Methodist, Mormon, and Baptist religions.

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2017 Keirokai Honorees Summary continued.

Special Recognition

Interviewee: Mrs. June Asato for Bob Asato

Bob’s Earliest Memory Bob was born in 1937 and could still remember the soldiers coming to the house to take the shortwave radio and other things when the war broke out. They also had gas masks during the war and had to black out all the win-dows at night. His father was a Japanese alien but did not get taken away since he was an essential plantation field worker and mother also did laundry for bachelor workers. How Bob Celebrated Holidays Most of the holidays like Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day and Halloween were observed in school lessons or at school—doing too many Japanese things during the war was not acceptable. The biggest holiday at their home was New Year. They all helped clean the house and father had two or three jobs to keep the family going to the boys all had to work, too. For New Year they made traditional Okinawan pig's feet soup, kobumaki, sushi, Tai, and all the other specialties. They pounded mochi with the relatives and set up Shinto/Okinawan offerings around the house and in the car –the kadomatsu and Kasane mochi with tangerine and ika and konbu. They visited the relatives and played fireworks and partied for about 3 days as the rela-tives all visited each other. Bob’s childhood In his youth, Bob was the Hawaii State yo-yo champion in 1950 and 1951. He was the star at neighborhood parties and gatherings where people would come and be dazzled by Bob’s yo-yo routines with shoot the moon, loop the loop, and walk the dog. For his achieve-ment, Bob won a yo-yo encrusted with three diamonds. He learned later that the other prizes offered included a free car and trips to Paris. Bob’s wedding Bob and June were both the first among his siblings to get married in Hawaii. It was at Hawaii Betsuin main temple on Dec 23, 1967. They had just found a nice 2 bedroom apartment in Kapahulu and relatives from the big island and the mainland came to Honolulu for the wedding. Rev. Yoshiaki Fujitani officiated and the reception was in the new annex downstairs of the temple. Aunties and relatives all decorated the church and party room, made the bouquets and corsages had 3 of their grand-parents there with lots of relatives and friends. At about 9 p.m., they whisked off to the airport to fly to Kauai for their honey-moon and left the relatives to clean up. Bob’s affiliation with the Hongwanji began when he was a child in Pepeekeo. At that time, either the temple minister or a member would drive through the neighborhood to pick up the children to attend services at Honomu Hongwanji. Just the bus ride and the morning snacks were the compelling factors for his attendance. Bob undertook the ambitious role to guide the founding of Mililani Hongwanji from a possibility to the acquisition of a grassy plot to a full campus with diverse programs. Bob with other founding members worked tirelessly to conduct neighborhood sur-veys, apply for titles and permits, meet with architects, contractors—the flurry of folks who must come together with a vision and foresight to create the conditions and structures for dharma centered experiences. He continues to sustain us as we re-member his life touching ours.

June Asato and son Kevin.

In Gratitude. Namo Amida Butsu

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Mililani Hongwanji A Shin Buddhist Temple

Minister: Rev. David Fujimoto Kyodan President: Rene Mansho Mail to: P.O. Box 893308 Mililani, HI 96789 Location: 95-257 Kaloapau Street Mililani, HI 96789 Phone: 808.625.0925 Email: dharma.connection@gmail.com

Weekly Services on Sundays, 9:00 am

Visit us at mililanihongwanji.org

WCCHC Adult Day Care at Mililani Hongwanji

Aloha! We would like to let everyone know that we are accepting applications for

Adult Day Care enrollment. Do you know anyone caring for a loved one that needs respite or help caring for their loved one throughout the day? We are welcoming new clients. For any interested new applicants, we are offering tuition assistance. Please contact our ADC Director Trece White for more information at (808) 561-2147. We are OPEN at Mililani Hale 5 Days a week Monday thru Fridays from 8am-5pm; with early drop off available as early as 7am.

Joint Memorial Service for the families of the following will be held on Sunday,

January 14, 2018, 9:00 am Barney Fujikawa Yaeko Fukuda Elsie Hamasaki Wayne Hirata Masayuki Honda Kenjii Ishii Hatsusaburo Kawachi Haruko Kawamoto Maki Matsumoto Marion Matsumura Morris Miura Ushijima Miyashiro Kametsuchi Morishige Umataro Muramaru Satoru Nakamura Juno Nishida

Please call the minister at 625-0925 and/or email dhar-ma.connection@gmail.com if there are corrections or additions to the published list. Families may call the min-ister to schedule special family memorial services for their loved ones. For 2018, special memorial years are observed for loved ones who passed away in:

2017 1st Year 2002 17th Year 1986 33rd year

2016 3rd Year 1996 23rd Year 1969 50th year

2012 7th Year 1994 25th year 1919 100th year

2006 13th Year

Monthly Joint Memorial Service Change Mililani Hongwanji will be holding it’s monthly joint memorial service on the SECOND Sunday of each month. This is to ac-commodate various events that come up during the year. Please plan accordingly.

Elsie Nishioka Reginald Oka Kazue Oshikata Edwin Saito Mitome Shimata Matsue Sugita Kameko Taira Matsu Taira Usa Taira Florence Tasato Clark Toma Masue Toma Seiji Tsugawa Lillian Ukita Suyeno Ukita Jiro Wakumoto Toyoji Watanabe

Memorial Services Mililani Hongwanji conducts memorial services in hon-or of those who have passed away. The Shotsuki Memorial Ser-vice is a general memorial service which are held monthly to remember members and friends who passed away during the month in which the memorial service is held. These services are held primarily for those individuals that do not fall in the yearly service interval cycle. Nenki Hoyo Memorial Services are memorial services which are held separate from the monthly memorial services in yearly intervals. These separate private services can be held before, on or after the memorial dates. It is a personal oppor-tunity to gather as a family to encounter and listen to the Bud-dha Dharma and remember your family members and friends who have passed on and through these services, we are able to

reflect on all that we have received from them in our daily lives. It also

gives families the opportunity to reconnect with members they otherwise would not see during the course of the year.

Minister’s Private Visitation Are you unable to come to the temple? Please call Rev. David Fujimoto at 808.625.0925 to request a private visit. The minister would love to reach out to you and be the bridge between you, the temple and the sangha!

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2018 Board of Directors of Mililani Hongwanji

At the General Membership Meeting held on December 10, 2017, the follow-

ing were elected as officers and Board Members for the Mililani Hongwanji Board.

President: Rene Mansho Vice Pres Richard Taira Secretary Roger Babcock Treasurer Clifford Togo Auditors Twila Castelucci Dennis Oshita Directors Sharon Freitas June Asato Brandon Hee Claire Doi Diane Yoza Susan Oshiro Kevin Asato Robyn Izumi Warren Hahn Earl Nishimoto Advisors Masami Nishimoto

Stanley Sasaki Gordon Watanabe

Ex-Officio: Resident Minister Rev. David Fujimoto Immediate Past President Dean Sakamoto

Congratulations and best wishes for a successful 2018! Let’s give them all our support.

Summary of Mililani Hongwanji Meeting, December 13, 2017

Unanimously approved the trial Organizational Change Proposal for 2018. The proposal was dis-cussed at the General Membership meeting on De-cember 10, 2017. Basically shifts major responsibili-ties to three (3) Sub-Councils in the areas of Opera-tions, Facilities, and Religious Activities. The ra-tionale for the change is to relieve the President of overburdened responsibilities and to encourage more member participation in temple programs and activities. An assessment of the change will be con-

ducted by December 31, 2018.

Approved koden for Mr. Yoshio Iwai from Waipahu

Hongwanji.

Adult Day Care will expand use of the Educational

Building beginning December 9, 2017.

Approved funds for Educational Building roof repair.

Adopt-A-Highway for 2018: Feb 17, May 19, August

25, and November 17.

Giseikai 2018: February 9-10 at Honolulu Betsuin

Joint Conference: September 1-3 at Ala Moana Hotel

Mililani Hongwanji Annual Bazaar: March 10, 2018

Bon Dance: Feedback meeting on December 14,

2017.

SANGHA 2018 REFRESHMENT TEAMS

MH BWA began a trial program in January

2017 to provide coffee hour refreshments for

Sunday Services. This project has been found

to be favorably received - promoting a sense

of OHANA and encouraging fellowship and fun

among our members. Our goal is to open this

project to ALL SANGHA MEMBERS in 2018.

A brief outline of the voluntary duties follows:

Teams of 3 Sangha Members will volunteer to provide light

refreshments for Sunday Services (e.g. chips ‘n dips,

cookies, pastries, fruits) A team’s turn would come up

about three times a year or less, depending on the number

of volunteers.

Set up paper goods and beverages at about 8:30 am. The cof-

fee and hot water may be started by those who arriving

earlier to open up the hall.

Clean up at 11:00 am. Pack any leftovers and send them home

with members (due to lack of storage space in our kitchen

and refrigerator).

If you are unable to participate in any of the above duties, ask a

team member to cover for you. You may also drop off your dona-

tion or swap with a member from another team if you cannot be

there. “The more hands, the lighter the work”. PLEASE CONSID-

ER VOLUNTEERING!

CONTACT: Diane Yoza <dianeyoza@gmail.com> or 623-6650

Nora Hahn <norayhahn@gmail.com> or 625-4925

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November 20, 2017 to December 18, 2017

Social Concerns(HQ) Charijean Watanabe & Ted Taniguchi Nora Abe Thomas & Gertrude Akamine Kazuko Ama Gerald & Monica Evans Myra Fujino Michael & Eleanor Guerrera Warren & Nora Hahn Allan & Helen Hasegawa Harley & Martha Ishii Duane & Robyn Izumi Lloyd & Caroline Kajiwara Karl & Carol Ann Kakehi Mamoru & Ethel Kawahara Dennis & Carrie Kawamoto Wayne & Roberta Kishinami Stephen & Susan Koito Thomas & Thelma Kushimi Rene Mansho Roy Manzoku Glenn & Elaine Miura Baldwin & Sally Miyake Howard & Amy Nakamura James & Karen Nakasone Adaline Nakata Masami & Joyce Nishimoto Margaret Nishimura Karen Oda

Bodhi Day Harry & Dorothy Abe Janet Abe June Asato Roger & Jill Kyhos Babcock Richard & Joyce Fujimoto Brandon Hee Theodine Hirai Larry & Patsy Hiyakumoto Karl & Carol Ann Kakehi Sharon Kaneko Mamoru & Ethel Kawahara Dennis & Carrie Kawamoto Rene Mansho Earl & Amy Nishimoto Masami & Joyce Nishimoto Lawrence & Joyce Nishioka Lester & Joyce Ogawa Patrick & Susan Oshiro & Family Dean & Doreen Sakamoto Jean Sanehira Richard & Gail Taira Itsue Tamamoto Margaret Tanabe Gordon & Lyn Watanabe Diane Yoza Eitaikyo Theodine Hirai

Social Concerns(HQ), Continued

Lester & Joyce Ogawa Dean & Doreen Sakamoto Jean Sanehira Melvin & Elaine Sasaki Charles & June Shimata Fred & Jane Shimonishi Steven & Sadako Shintaku Bernard Shiratori Sadae Tagami Lawrence & Sueko Takenaka Itsue Tamamoto Nancy Tanaka Hiroyoshi & Satoko Terao Clifford & Fae Togo Richard & Sarah Uchima Lloyd & Janis Uradomo Gordon & Lyn Watanabe Harry & Shirley Yamakawa Steven & Lani Yamami Ross & Karen Yamamoto Doris Yamane Ethel Yamashige Glenn S. & Minnie Yoshimori Tom Yoshizawa Reverend Jan Youth Diane Yoza Thanksgiving Day June Asato

General Donation Charijean Watanabe & Ted Taniguchi Mililani Hongwanji Line Dancing Class Oahu United Honpa Hongwanji BWA Parkinson Group James & Karen Nakasone George & Grace Okutani IMO Gilbert Hirano Harry & Shirley Yamakawa Keirokai donation Joint Memorial Service Annie A. Chang IMO Kameju, Hatsue & Arnold Akamine Sharon A. Freitas IMO Charles Oishi Mamoru & Ethel Kawahara IMO Satoshi Kawahara Elsie Morikawa IMO Paul Morikawa Mace Mutobe IMO Chiyoko & Ryujun Mutobe Mace Mutobe IMO June Mutobe Lester & Joyce Ogawa IMO Hatsune Araki Gloria Okada IMO Usuke Okada Frances Saito IMO Donald Saito Raymond & Ethel Shiroma IMO Haruko Kawamoto Margaret Tanabe IMO Sueo Tanabe George & Irene Toguchi IMO Paul Morikawa George & Irene Toguchi IMO Donald Saito Diane Yoza IMO Brian Nakamura Memorial Service George Horibata IMO Myoko Horibata & Scott Horibata

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N E W S L E T T E R

91-1133 Renton Road Ewa, Hawaii Mail: P.O. Box 60549, Ewa, HI 96706

January 2018

EWA HONGWANJI MISSION

Ca lendar Jan 01 (Mon) 8:00 am New Year Service

28 (Sun) 11:00 am Ho’onko Service

Eitaikyo Service Mrs. Fujie Fukeda Ernest & Ruth Wakimura Ms. Rae Wakimura

Use of Hall Dennis Irie

MAHALO for your Donat ions

Contact us: Ernest Wakimura: home: 681-3229 Rev. David Fujimoto: 625-0925 office

Rev. Fujimoto will be available to anyone needing assistance on most Wednesdays 11:00am-12:00pm at Ewa Hongwanji. Please call Rev. Fujimoto to confirm his schedule or to make an appointment.

2018 Ca lendars have not been received from from printers yet. They will bedistributed as soon as it is received.

Ministers are collecting “real life stories” on “How the Dharma has made a difference in your life”. If you would like to contribute your story, please contact Rev. David Fujimoto (see below) for information on how to submit it.

“How the Dharma has made a di f ference in my l i fe”

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