Hawaii Federation of Buddhist Women's Association

Click for updated info to the 13th World Buddhist Women's Convention

Koa Key Chain & Pendant Sale

In 2000 the Hawaii Federation had Koa pendants and key chains designed with the sagarifuji which were sold to members.

Koa, which is sometimes called Hawaiian mahogany, is prized as picture frames, wall panel, calabashes, serving utensils, dishes, furniture, surf boards, bracelets, pens, etc. The wood is red with a wavy grain. Koa means brave, bold and fearless. It is becoming more difficult to locate, therefore, highly prized by the recipient. If you are interested in purchasing one, please e-mail us

hawaiibwa@hawaiibwa.org

2008 Officers, Advisors, Committees

Honorary President: Michiko Okano
President: Donna Higashi
Imm. Past President: Carol Yamamoto
1st Vice President: Janet Honda
2nd Vice President: Rose Nakamura
Recording Secretary: Cynthia Masukawa
Asst. Secretary: Fay Tateishi
Treasurer: Grace Zukeran
Asst. Treasurer: Mary Tanouye
Auditors: Twilla Castellucchi, Estsuko Mori
Honorary Advisor: Bishop Thomas Okano
Advisor: Rev. Eric Matsumoto

United Presidents:
Honolulu: Suzue Nishiyama
Oahu: Rev. Jan Youth
Maui: Dawn Fujiwara
Kauai: Fay Tateishi
Hawaii: Etsuko Mori

United Advisors:
Honolulu: Rev. Shindo Nishiyama
Oahu: Rev. Mary David
Maui: Rev. Mari Nishiyama
Kauai: Rev. Kojun Hashimoto
Hawaii: Rev. Toyokazu Hagio

Directors:
Honolulu: Mary Lou Lomaka, Lois Toyama
Oahu: Takako Desaki, Helen Sasaki
Maui: Diane Kosaka
Kauai: Cynthia Masukawa
Hawaii (3): Harue Furumoto, Nora Koyanagi, Masako Sakata, Motoe Tada, Sally Tayama

Committee Chairs:
Bylaws & Policies: Joan Yokoyama
Finance: Fusae Kiyokawa
Membership: Rose Nakamura
Social & Reception: Sets Takashie, Sharyn Sekine
Projects: Janet Honda
Newsletter: Claire Tamamoto, Tamayo Matsumoto
Education: Edith Ushio
Student Exchange: Ethel Shintaku
Historian: Jean Fukumoto

Welcome to the Hawaii Federation of Buddhist Women's Associations' official web site. We will be offering information about our organization and sharing how a woman's role play an important part in the propagation of Buddhism today.

Yesterday and even today, some of our organizations are still called "Fujinkai" but a number have changed to "Buddhist Women's Association."

Presently in the State of Hawaii we are composed of 5 districts and 33 units. Hawaii (12 units), Kauai (3 units), Maui (5 units), Honolulu (4 units) and Oahu (9 units). We were initially organized in 1954 with 34 Fujinkai units, and in the fall of the same year, the Fujinkai of each island were organized into districts. Our official headquarter site is in Honolulu and meetings are held semiannually with each district sending their representatives.

Currently our membership statewide is 3,750 strong and each unit is working to increase their membership.

Of noteworthy interest, presently three women, two on Oahu and one on Maui, serve as Temple (Kyodan) Presidents. Other women have held this position in the past too.

Spring 2008 News download Here

English word document not available. Only Acrobat file is ready.

English Word English pdf 34.9mb

Buddhist Women's Pledge

As a person of Buddhist faith, I will follow Shinran Shonin who sought to live the life of truth; appreciate fully the blessing of human existence; thoroughly hear the Primal Vow of the Buddha; and diligently strive to live the life of Nembutsu as a Buddhist women.

	Earnestly listening to the teaching, I will live my daily life embraced in Amida's Light.
	Building a home fragrant with the Nembutsu, I will nurture a child of the Buddha.
	Following the teaching of "One World", I will spread the circle of Dharma friends.

Purpose

to unify and cooperate with all United Honpa Hongwanji Buddhist Women's Associations in the State of Hawaii;
to perpetuate and expand Jodo Shinshu (Pure Land Sect) in the State of Hawaii;
to promote the development of Buddhist women's organizations ; and
to participate in the promotion of Buddhism throughout the world and to work for world peace.