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Aloha Friends and Neighbors:

    The Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji Mission is proud to have reached 100 years of being part of this close-knit community. Thank you everyone, for your kind support throughout these years. And with your active participation going forward, we can look forward to another 100 years.

     Having grown up in Kaneohe and talking story with many of you, our first hundred years have been filled with many fond memories. So many of you have attended our temple’s bon dance – catching up with familiar neighbors & classmates, biting into warm andagi prepared by the Takeno ohana, savoring nishime reminiscent of grandma’s, and dancing to the rhythm of Tanko Bushi. You may have found amazing bargains at our annual plant & rummage sale. Perhaps incense and chanting stirred memories of gratitude while attending a service.

    Since the beginning, our temple thrived because of the hard work, teachings and dedication of Reverend Nobuo Matsumoto (please see our tribute further on this website). Reverend Matsumoto was our first (and longest serving) minister at the temple in Kaneohe. Those were adventurous times for many of our ancestors including my parents, who chose to brave the Koolau's, making Kaneohe their new home. Back then, the temple served as a special place to share Buddhism, Japanese traditions, and to grow new friendships.

    What can the Kaneohe community expect from our temple going forward? This is an exciting time for everyone. Our vision is to serve our community as a welcoming place to gather, build friendships and share knowledge. We plan to offer classes and create more partnerships; affording more opportunities for the community to come to the temple. With constant change influenced by the causes & conditions we face in our daily life, our temple can serve as a special gathering place where wisdom and compassion may be shared among all; a place where you don’t have to be Buddhist to feel welcome.

    Our Board of Directors and myself (a new minister in training who grew up here) can achieve this, but only with your active support. We look forward to your participation and community involvement.

    Thank you to all our members, ministers, donors, volunteer “Buddha Buddies,” and supporters for your hard work, generous donations, loyal support, and the sharing of the Dharma.

Sincerely,