Asai, who hails from Nagasaki, Japan, is a lay leader at the Palolo Hongwanji Temple.

After her talk, the Rev. Alison Dingle, one of the founders of Interfaith Open Table, returns from her post as interim pastor of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Oregon to share her perspective on forgiveness and reconciliation. Then Michael North will discuss "Experiential Exercises in Forgiveness" as a coordinator of the Hawaii International Forgiveness Project, to be held 5 p.m. Aug. 5 at Central Union Church.

While the Open Table usually meets the first Wednesday of the month, the date has been pushed back so it doesn't conflict with the Independence Day holiday. The group meets at Temple Emanu-el, 2550 Pali Highway.