WHERE WE WORSHIP
Waianae Hongwanji marks 100th year
By Mary Kaye Ritz
Advertiser Faith Editor
Name of temple: Waianae Hongwanji Mission.
Our denomination: Hongwanji, a Jodo Shinshu sect of Buddhism.
Where we are: Old Plantation Road in Wai'anae
Our numbers: 64 families.
Our minister: The Rev. Toyokazu Hagio.
What's special about us: Waianae Hongwanji is tied to the first sugar plantations on the Islands, said Ray Saito, recording secretary.
What we believe: As members of the Hongwanji Mission, they follow the teachings of Jodo Shinshu, the Shinran Shonin, who founded the religion 600 years ago.
Our history: Soon after Herman Wideman, a staunch supporter of the monarchy, came to Hawai'i in 1878, he leased all of Wai'anae Kai to begin the Wai'anae Sugar Co. As the plantation grew, so did the need for laborers.
When the Japanese joined the Chinese, Portuguese and Hawaiians on the plantation, they brought with them their religion. In 1901, the Rev. Yempuku (first name not known) arrived from Waipahu Hongwanji to start a plan for a temple. In 1903, the Rev. Eun Miyamoto broke ground for a building, which used donated materials from the manager of Waianae Sugar, Frederick Meyer.
Early ministers had concurrent posts, and oftentimes had to travel to their other temples via the slow-moving train of the Oahu Railway Co. The first resident minister was the Rev. Doen Takayama.
The temple thrived through the robust days of sugar, but World War II took its toll. (During the war, the Japanese language- school building was turned into a USO club.)
The plantation closed in 1946 and since then, the number of members has fallen from about 100 families in its heyday to the present 64.
What we're excited about: Today the church is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a special centennial service.
At 9 a.m., the mission's Bishop Chikai Yosemori will be on hand for the ringing of the temple bell, signaling the start of a two-hour formal service, followed by a luncheon, karaoke and Japanese dancing and entertainment, in festivities that will continue until about 1 p.m.
"The centennial celebration will feature a 'keirokai,' which is a ritual that recognizes members 80 years of age and older," said Saito. "They will be honored for their faithfulness throughout the years."
Contact: Hagio at 677-4221, or the mission president, Lillian Hasegawa, 696-3189.
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