Where We Worship
Konkokyo sees all beings as interdependent

By Zenaida Serrano Espanol
Advertiser Staff Writer

Seiichi Matsuda is a minister at Konko Mission in Honolulu, which brought the faith to Hawai'i from Japan in 1929. Cory Lum • The Honolulu Advertiser

Our denomination or affiliation: The Konko Faith, or Konkokyo, is an independent religion with more than 1,600 churches and 300,000 believers worldwide.

Where we are: The church is at 1728 Liliha St. in Liliha. The administrative office, the Konkokyo Hawaii Center, is at 1744 Liliha St., Suite 304.

Our numbers: 150.

Our leader: The Rev. Masahiko Yoshino, head minister.

What we believe: The Konkokyo Declaration reads: "We who are allowed to live in the vast universe, accept and respect all lives as being precious. We pledge to manifest an ideal world, wherein Kami and people, people and people, and people and all other things will live together in an 'Aiyo kakeyo,' in an 'Interdependent Relationship.'"

Konkokyo members believe in Kami, which they say is known in other religions as God, Buddha or Allah.

"We believe Kami is the vast universe," said Saijiro Matsuda, an administrative staff member at Konkokyo Hawaii Center, "the spirit and energy that flows through galaxies, planets, air, earth and life.

"We think the most important thing is one's relationship with Kami. ... We humans have the same spirit and energy as Kami. Therefore, we think that we can live as a living Kami, or a living God ... We call this relationship with Kami, 'Aiyo kakeyo,' which means 'Interdependent Relationship.' So to speak, Kami is Kami because of people; people are people because of Kami; and, thus, Kami and people will be mutually fulfilled."

Our history: The Konkokyo faith was founded in 1859 by a peasant farmer named Konko Daijin in Konko-cho, Okayama prefecture, Japan. The Kyoshu, also known as the Spiritual Head, is the Konko Faith's highest religious authority and is normally addressed as "Konko-Sama." Konko-Sama, the Rev. Heiki Konko, is a descendant of the religion's founder and serves at the Main Worship Hall in Okayama prefecture.

Konko Mission of Honolulu was established Aug. 27, 1929, with the Rev. Masayuki Kodama as head minister.

What we're excited about: One of the upcoming events that Konkokyo members are looking forward to is a Youth Gathering with the theme "Awareness of Life in the Tenchi Nature," July 6 to 8 at Pu'u O Hoku Ranch on Moloka'i. The gathering is open to members between ages 13 and 25. It is free to intermediate and high school students; there is a $10 fee for college students and all others.

What's special about us: The Konko Mission of Honolulu is the oldest Konko Mission in Hawai'i. Other churches are located in Hilo, Waipahu, Wahiawa, HanapÇpÇ and Wailuku. Konkokyo Hawaii Center in Liliha is the administrative office for all six churches.

Matsuda believes an outstanding characteristic of Konkokyo is that anyone can see Konko-Sama without an appointment. He awaits believers at what is known as the Mediation Seat in the Main Worship Hall in Japan from about 4 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. every day, and provides mediation to people who come with their problems or requests.

"He tries to connect us with Kami," Matsuda said. "That really stands out from other religions."

The head ministers of every Konko Church also are available everydayto meet with people who may be in need or who simply want to express their wishes. Times vary by church. The Rev. Masahiko Yoshino is usually available between 5:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. at Konko Mission of Honolulu, Matsuda said.

"In addition, every Konko Church is a multi-ethnic church," Matsuda said. "We accept all people. (There's) no discrimination."

Contact: 536-9078, e-mail kmh@pixi.com or visit www.konkokyo.or.jp

If you would like to recommend your church, temple or faith organization for a Where We Worship profile, e-mail faith@honoluluadvertiser.com, call 535-8174 or write: Where We Worship, Faith Page, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802.