temple activities should be posted as soon as possible on ... · 27 sun 9:00 am gotan -e (shinran...
TRANSCRIPT
May 2018 The Newsletter of Mililani Hongwanji Mission Volume 41 Issue No. 5
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 Tue 8:00 AM Flower Arrangement Class
1 Tue 10:00 AM Wahiawa Skilled Nursing Facility Visitation
4 Fri 7:30 PM Mindful Meditation
6 Sun 9:00 AM Family Service & Dharma School: Beach Day Activity
6 Sun 12:00PM Oahu Lay Association Meeting at Waipahu Hongwanji
7 Mon 7:30 PM Religious Activities Sub-Council Meeting
8 Tue 9:00 AM Parkinson's Support Group Meeting
9 Wed 7:30 PM Kyodan Board of Directors Meeting
11 Fri 7:00 PM Music Jam Session
13 Sun 9:00 AM Joint Memorial & Family Service (Mother's Day)
13 Sun 10:15 AM BWA Meeting
15 Tue 8:00 AM Flower Arrangement Class
19 Sat 8:00 AM Adopt-a-Highway
20 Sun 9:00 AM Family Service (No Dharma School)
20 Sun 9:00 AM District Gotan-e & Songfest at Waipahu Hongwanji
20 Sun 2--4 PM Buddha Bowling Bash at Aiea Bowl
25 Fri 7:00 PM Music Jam Session
27 Sun 9:00 AM Gotan-e (Shinran Shonin's Birthday) & Last Day of Dharma
School: Dharmachakra Pizza & Ice Cream Sundaes
27 Sun 12:30 PM Oahu United BWA Meeting
31 Thu 7:30 PM Bon Dance Meeting # 2
1 Fri 7:30 PM Mindful Meditation
3 Sun 9:00 AM Family Service (No Dharma School)
8 Fri 7:00 PM Music Jam Session
9 Sat 1--3 PM OUHHBWA Open House
10 Sun 9:00 AM Joint Memorial & Family Service
10 Sun 10:15 AM BWA Meeting
12 Tue 9--12 PM Parkinson's Support Group Meeting
13 Wed 7:30 PM Kyodan Board of Directors Meeting
17 Sun 9:00 AM Gannenmono Service (No Dharma School)
(Father's Day)
22 Fri 7:00 PM Music Jam Session
24 Sun 9:00 AM Family Service (No Dharma School)
28 Thu 9:00 AM Lotus Connection
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Who is Your Anchor? If, when I attain Buddhahood, sentient beings in the immeasurable and inconceivable Buddha-lands of the ten
quarters, who have been touched by my light, should not feel peace and happiness in their bodies and minds surpas-sing those of humans and devas, may I not attain perfect Enlightenment. -33rd Vow
Several weeks ago, my wife and I went to the movies. In one of the scenes, the protagonist meets his idol and
exclaims “You are my anchor!” I thought to myself, that’s an interesting choice of words to use. He could have said that this person was his idol or hero, but he used the word “anchor.”
When we think of an anchor, we think of a heavy object used to moor a ship. However, we can consider a per-
son who provides us stability or confidence in an uncertain situation as an anchor. Eric Mason writes, “suffering re-veals who is anchoring you at all times. Are your circumstances in life your anchor?”
When we go through hardships in our lives, we need something to hold on to, to help us
get through the situation. What we hold on to reveals who we are and what we are anchored to. If the circumstance gets a better part of us, we are easily swept away deep into the stormy seas of our suffering. However, if we have a strong anchor, or a strong foundation, we discover a mechanism to weather through life’s storms and not find us shipwrecked in the great sea of life.
With that said, who is YOUR anchor? For many of our first-generation plantation workers
who came here from Japan, their local temple was their anchor. The temple provided a social and supportive founda-tion for them, that is where many got their education, news from back home, and the spiritual guidance that they needed in an unknown land.
They had each other and needed each other. I still remember the stories from my grandparents of how they
financially helped each other in times of need, and how they all gathered at a person’s house to provide the moral support, through the night as a family grieved the passing of a loved one.
The Buddha’s 33rd Vow provides us with the anchor we need as we voyage
through the storms of life. We who have been touched by the Buddha’s Light are al-ways embraced and provides us the anchor we need in life. We recite Namo Amida Butsu in deep awareness and appreciation for that embrace. We are never forgotten, even if we are among the countless sentient beings, Buddha never forgets who we are and our place in this world.
The Buddha made this vow as a means for us to entrust ourselves to take refuge in this Light. We open up ourselves to receive this Light. This Light provides us with the realization of our birth into the Pure Land, and proves us the guidance to live our life in the here and now.
Rev. David Fujimoto
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Aloha Mililani Hongwanji Ohana! “HOMELESSNESS - Talk Story” with Alea Bridge, Honolulu Police Dept., and Rep. Beth Fukumoto at Mililani Hongwanji
on March 19th, was another eye-opening meeting in our community. Thanks to Phil Acosta, Exec. Director of Alea Bridge,
Sgt. John Mau of Wahiawa Police Dept., and U.S. Vets, who shared with us the status of homeless in our community,
resources available for assistance, and emphasizing that the public needs to call 911 whenever there is a disturbance or
trespassing, etc. The more documentation collected will assist the authorities to secure funding or resources needed to
solve homeless problems in our community. Surprisingly, statistics show 27% decrease over the past 3 years: North
Shore -56%, Wahiawa-40%, and Mililani has 4% in the area. Sgt. Mau asks the community to be their eyes and ears in
order to get assistance to the homeless and help prevent crime, to help nip it in the bud. “Ask not what your community can do for you, but what can
you do for your community.” Our Buddhist perspective on homelessness begins with the deep understanding and unconditional nature of Buddha’s
compassion and the preciousness of each individual and of all life. We are links in Amida Buddha’s Golden Chain of Love. Thanks to the leadership of
Dean Sakamoto and our Honpa Hongwanji Social Concerns Committee for engaging and assisting, to be kind and gentle and not turn away from human
suffering.
Big congratulations to our Mililani Buddhist Women’s Association who celebrated their 40th Anniversary on April 8th at the Helemano Plantation.
Thanks to President Diane Yoza and her planning committee for a special lunch and memorable program. We take for granted the behind the scenes
work of the women of the temple because they do it unselfishly and with happy hearts knowing they are making lots of people happy. Thanks to June
Asato who started our BWA 40 years ago and have continued to be active in leadership roles as the Past president of the United Buddhist Women’s
Association and serving as a current Director on our Kyodan Board of Directors. While women have evolved in our temple, they continue to be the
“Nurturers”, preparing lunches for our Thursday Gang, preparing refreshments for after Sunday Dharma service fellowship, emceeing Sunday Dharma
Services, and bi-monthly visits at the Wahiawa Hospital Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. You are welcome to join us for an hour on Tuesday morn-
ings, to help bring sunshine and joy in peoples’ days where we open with a Buddhist chant and dharma message, followed by a community sing-along.
We simply share our time to show the clients that we are happy to meet them, care about them, and hope we brought a little happiness in their day.
PLEASE JOIN US AT 10:00 AM ON TUESDAY, MAY 8TH.
If you didn’t attend our Lady Eshinni and Kakushinni Day Service on April 15th, you missed out on hearing our amazing guest speaker, Mrs. Yoshiko
Umitani and meeting her friendly daughter, Naho! Mrs. Umitani did an excellent job in presenting the historical achievements of Lady Eshinni, wife of
our leader Shinran Shonin, and daughter Kakushinni who are truly responsible for continuing Shinran’s teachings and Jodo Shinshu. In fact, Lady
Eshinni is next to Shinran as founder of Jodo Shinshu, and her 750th Memorial Service is being commemorated Sunday at Honzan. We learned that
Shinran was the first spiritual leader who married formally and his teacher Honin said the Nembutsu will save you. Although Honin never married,
respecting the Nembutsu teachings and respect for the reverends throughout the years, as with 25th Gomonshu, made Jodo Shinshu the largest sect in
Japan. I was mostly moved by Mrs. Umitani sharing life threatening experience of her mother-in-law. She found happiness in the middle of suffering
from cancer, as she felt sad and fatigued, she rejoiced in the support of family and others and empathized with the weak and infirm. Very touching.
As I was able to receive the Official BWA President’s Plaque from Diane Yoza in commemoration of their 40th Anniversary,
and I could thank Mrs. Umitani for her inspirational message with her daughter Naho, as we are celebrating mother Eshinni
and daughter Kakushinni, I recognized all the mothers and daughters active and in attendance on Sunday! Congratulations to
Itsue Tamamoto & Gail Taira, Gail Taira & Kathy Nakamoto, Kathy Nakamoto & Mari & Maya Nakamoto, Patsy Hiyakumoto &
Debbie, Ann & Arynn Ishikawa, Phyllis Tanaka & Gay, Susan Oshiro & Chloe, Nora Yasunaga & Daughter-in-Law Janice Yasuna-
ga, and Nora & granddaughter Shayna Yasunaga, and many more! Yes, as MC Carrie
Kawamoto mentioned, women are the Nurturers, and the future of Mililani Hongwanji
is in good hands!
I am looking forward to seeing you all in the May Gotan-e Services: May 20th, 9:00
AM, at Waipahu Hongwanji, and May 27th, 9:00 AM at Mililani
Hongwanji. Let’s celebrate the birth of our founder, Jodo Shinshu with much gratitude and ap-
preciation!
Finally, I hope you join our Oahu Lay Association for some fellowship and fun on May 20th,
2:00 PM, Aiea Bowl, for our “Buddha Bowling Bash”, followed by food and relaxation at Aiea
Hongwanji.
We are always very grateful for your support for Mililani Hongwanji and interest in spreading the dharma! Me ke aloha pumehana, In gassho, Rene
President’s Corner
Rene Mansho
April was celebration month for the BWA. The program and member-ship committees planned a gala 40th Anniversary lunch with special favors, a de-licious buffet and a program on care giving and caring for caregivers. The BWA presented Mililani Hongwanji with a beautiful perpetual plaque listing presi-dents of the Mililani BWA over the past 40 years. This presentation was made
at the annual Eshinni/Kakushinni Me-morial service. The sangha enjoyed a heartwarming dharma talk from Mrs. Yoshiko Umitani and were treated to a bountiful lunch. The offertory that day is designated for the $3 Million endowed Eshinni and Kakushinni Chair at the Institute for Buddhist Studies in honor of these mothers of the Hongwanji. The OUHHBWA will hold an open house for members and other women at
Mililani Hongwanji on Saturday, June 9 from 1-3 pm. The units of the Oahu BWA
and the Federation of BWA will be introduced. It’s not too late to join this active
temple group. All women of the temple are welcome—see President Diane Yoza or Membership Chair Joyce Ogawa for more
details. The big events coming up are the Joint Conference at the Ala Moana Hotel on September 1-3, 2018 and the World
Convention in San Francisco during the Labor Day weekend in 2019.
On April 14th, 9 BWA ladies with assistance from Warren Hahn cleaned up the Ehime Maru Memorial in Kakaako. We were greeted by Ken Saiki from the Japan America Society of Hawai'i (JASH) who gave us a talk on the history of the Memorial. Following the clean up, we enjoyed fellowship and a delicious Japanese lunch at Teishoku Restaurant at the Kam Shopping Center.
Eshinni/Kakushinni Memorial Service
Speaker: Mrs. Yoshiko Umitani
BWA 40th Anniversary Luncheon
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Wow, where did the time go? We’re already in our last month of Dharma School before our summer break. Thank you to all the
Dharma School families who attended our nature walk at the Wahiawa Botanical Gardens on March 25th. For some, it was their first
visit, for others, it was a great opportunity to roam the beautiful gardens again.
The month of April was full of fun activities. We had a Spring Egg Hunt on April 15th. Colorful eggs were
hidden in the Education Bldg., each filled with a small chocolate candy and a slip of paper with part of a Buddhist ob-
servance or the Eightfold Path. After all the eggs were found (including the golden egg by Brennan), the students had to
find their “matching partners” to receive a candy treat!
On April 22nd, we watched the movie “Bolt”, about a dog who learns a lot about himself while on a journey to
find his beloved owner. “It Takes A Village” was our lesson on April 29th. We read the book and talked about Interdependence
and the importance of family, friends and our Sangha. It was a very timely lesson, especially since it was on our Baccalaureate
service day. We would like to recognize our two Dharma School students Diego and Marisa, who will be graduating from Mililani High
School later this month. We are very proud of all they have achieved to reach this milestone with the help of the people in their
“village”.
And lastly, thank you to Dharma School parent David Thomson for emceeing service in April representing the Dharma School.
Here’s what we have planned for May:
May 6 – Fun Day at Aunty Gay's Beach House
May 20 – District Gotan-e & Songfest at Waipahu Hongwanji
May 27 – Dharmachakra Pizza & Ice Cream Sundaes
After service on May 6th, we have planned a beach day at Aunty Gay Tanaka’s beach house in Waialua. Light lunch
will be provided. Bring your swimwear, beach gear, and sunscreen! On May 20th, we are encouraging our families to attend
the Oahu District Gotan-e service and Songfest at Waipahu Hongwanji. The service starts at 9:00am. There will still be
service at our temple, however, there will be no Dharma class.
Our last day of Dharma School for this school year is on May 27th. We will be doing recognitions and awards,
making our favorite Dharmachakra pizza, and enjoying yummie ice cream sundaes! Please make your plans to attend.
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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2018 Baccalaureate The Baccalaureate Committee would like to recognize and honor the following individuals who will be gradu-ating or receiving postgraduate degrees this spring:
Nicholas Babcock Son of Roger Babcock, Jr. and Jill Kyhos Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Northern Arizona University
Jillian Freitas Daughter of Allan and Sharon Freitas Doctor of Psychology School of Graduate Psychology Pacific University
Diego Guerrera Son of Mike and Eleanor Guerrera Mililani High School
Marisa Hayase Daughter of Neil and Melody Hayase Mililani High School
Guest Speaker Dean Sakamoto posed these ques-tions to the Mililani Hongwanji Sangha. Were you able to answer them? Did Dean answer them? Pull him aside and I’m sure he will share his thoughts and more. Be sure you have a notepad or better yet, record him on your smart phone. Did MC David Thomas grasp his message? Ask him and find out. You might be surprised.
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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: [email protected]
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,
May 13, 2018, 9:00 am
Please call the minister at 625-0925 and/or email [email protected] 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.
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!
Mitsuo Fujimoto Harold Hanaoka George Harada Thomas Hashimoto Tsunehio Hashimoto Toku Hayase Goro Hirano Amy Horibata Kenneth Imamura Ann Kajiwara Itsuyo Kaneshiro Masaru Kido Hatsumi Kubota Marie Meyer
Bert Migita Gladys Naitoh Emery Nakashima Tsurukichi Nakaue Mitsuko Okinaka Chester Saito Toni Suehiro Zenyei Taira Bessie Tsuyama Yoshino Tsuyama Yeiichi Ukita Helen Watanuki Tamotsu Yamaguchi Shigetoshi Yoshino
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Summary of Mililani Hongwanji Meeting, April 11, 2018
Continued discussion & responded to Q&As pertaining to the Organizational Change Proposal approved by the BOD. Changed various titles and committee names for clarification. This is a work in progress for 2018 and will be decided later in
the year whether this proposal will move forward.
Social Media Program: Gay Tanaka shared various forms of social media and how it can be used to help MH get out to the youth. She will work with IT Committee to start a social media
program.
Ratified MH participation in the MTA Senior & Hobby Fair on
May 23, 9:00am –2:00pm, Rec Ctr III.
Approved funding for up to $600 to pay registration fee of $30
for choir members to participate in SongFest 2018.
Support Group (formerly sub-councils) Reports:
Operations: Bazaar Committee Report shared. Overall a suc-cess again. Nearly matched funds raised in 2016 even without the Judo Club participation selling food. There was no Bazaar
in 2017.
Facilities: No Report
Religious & Temple Activities: Rev. Fujimoto distributed a letter addressed to MH temple leaders stating the mission statement of the HHMH. Also emphasizing commons goals to Communicate, Attentive Hearing, Appreciate and Mutual Re-
spect.
BWA celebrated 40 years with Luncheon at Helemano Planta-tion. Ehime Maru cleaning, Eshinni/Kakushinni Memorial Ser-
vice with guest speaker Mrs. Yoshiko Umitani.
Dean Sakamoto shared information as a Director representing
the Oahu District at the HHMH meeting.
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(March 20, 2018 to April 16, 2018 )
In Gratitude. Namo Amida
Butsu
Buddha Day Anonymous
Christine Sato & Richard Lightner
Lotus Connection Group
Janet Abe
June Asato
Claire Doi
Sharon A. Freitas
Richard & Joyce Fujimoto
Warren & Nora Hahn
Theodine Hirai
Larry & Patsy Hiyakumoto
George Horibata
John K. & Ann Y.M. Ishikawa
Karl & Carol Ann Kakehi
Sharon Kaneko
Mamoru & Ethel Kawahara
Dennis & Carrie Kawamoto
Wayne & Roberta Kishinami
Sylvia Koike
Roy Manzoku
Myra Nohara & Family
Lester & Joyce Ogawa
Dean & Doreen Sakamoto
Jean Sanehira
Richard & Gail Taira
Itsue Tamamoto
Margaret Tanabe
Ivan & Fay Toyama
Steven & Lani Yamami
Ethel Yamashige
Reverend Jan Youth
Diane Yoza
Higan Spring Janet Abe
June Asato
Claire Doi
Richard & Joyce Fujimoto
Myra Fujino
Warren & Nora Hahn
Melvin & Eileen Hayase
Brandon Hee
Larry & Patsy Hiyakumoto
Karl & Carol Ann Kakehi
Sharon Kaneko
Mamoru & Ethel Kawahara
Dennis & Carrie Kawamoto
Thomas & Thelma Kushimi
Rene Mansho
Misae Matsuzaki
Earl & Amy Nishimoto
Masami & Joyce Nishimoto
Myra Nohara & Family
Lester & Joyce Ogawa
Dennis & Michele Oshita
Russell & Dale Saiki
Jean Sanehira
Richard & Gail Taira
Itsue Tamamoto
Tyler & Kristi Tamashiro
Margaret Tanabe
Nancy Tanaka
Hiroyoshi & Satoko Terao
Gordon & Lyn Watanabe
Ethel Yamashige
Diane Yoza General Donation(Bon Dance) Terry & Patricia Matsumoto
Joint Memorial Service Christine Sato & Richard Lightner IMO Ronald & Beatrice Sato
Michie Ando IMO George Ando & Susumu Ando
Takashi Ando IMO Susumu Ando & George Ando
June Asato IMO Tsuruko Asato
Harry & Itsuko Honda IMO Masayuki Tashima
Mamoru & Ethel Kawahara IMO Masanobu Kawahara
Lawrence & Joyce Nishioka IMO Makoto Nishioka
Karen Oda IMO Sumie Rodero
Arnold & Sandra Okubo IMO Kazuki Tanioka & Saichi Tanioka
Margaret Tanabe IMO Nancy Hirata
Tom Yoshizawa IMO Dianne Yoshizawa
Diane Yoza IMO Anna Nakamura
Memorial Service Mark & Lesley Ann Matsuwaki Memorial service for the late Clyde M. Tanaka (7th Yr)
Karen Tanaka Memorial service for the late Clyde M. Tanaka (7th Yr)
General Donation Crochet Group
Mililani Hongwanji Line Dancing Class
Roy Matsumura IMO Matao & Elsie Matsumura
Russell & Dale Saiki
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Eshinni/Kakushinni Memorial Service
MC: Carrie Kawamoto
Kyodan Pres. : Rene Mansho
Speaker: Yoshiko Umitani BWA Pres.: Diane Yoza
Ehime Maru Memorial looking bright and shiny thanks to the BWA (& Warren).
Happy Buddha Day, (Hanamatsuri) sweet tea being poured on the statute of Buddha by our Kupuna and Keiki.
Beautiful Hanamido, job well done!
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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
May 2018
EWA HONGWANJI MISSION
Ca lendar May 26 (Sat) 9:30 am Before-service clean-up
27 (Sun) 11:00 am English Gotan’e Service June 2 (Sat) 8:30 am Yagura construction ~ manpower needed, please come
and help put up the yagura, lunch included 4 (Mon) 7:00 pm Bon Dance meeting 9 (Sat) 8:30 am General clean-up ~ yard work, window cleaning,
sprucing up the temple for Bon Dance, lunch to follow 15 (Fri) 8:30 am Pre-O’bon preparation ~ put up food booth, electrical
work, etc, lunch included 16 (Sat) 8:30 am O’bon preparation ~ decorations, set up chairs,
spam musubi making, receive baked goods 5:30 pm Food Booth opens 6:00 pm Hatsubon Service 7:00-10:00 pm Bon Dance
We are still seeking volunteers for our Bon Dance “work days”. Please let us know if you will be able to lend us your kokua ~ Ruth @ 681-3229 or Myra @ 542-1770.
Donations ~ Higan-e Service Mrs. Jean Abe Ernest & Ruth Wakimura Mrs. Fujie Fukeda Ms. Rae Wakimura Ms. Myra Nohara
MAHALO for your Donat ions
Windcatchers
S MITH
Don
Honor your ancestors with windcatchers attached to lanterns which we will hang around the yagura.
Cost is $10 each, pre-orders only. Send your names by June 9 to Myra at [email protected] or text to 808-542-1770.
Payment may be made at any of our work days or at the Bon Dance.
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