History

Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii

Hawaii Federation of Buddhist Women's Associations

History of the Buddhist Women's Association in Hawaii

In 1889 when Myonyo Shonin was the Monshu at the Honzan in Kyoto Japan, Rev. Soryu Kagai was sent to Hawaii to do missionary work among the Japanese contract laborers. Spiritual guidance was lacking and there was no priest to provide any religious services, even the simplest funeral rites.

Later in 1898, Rev. Honi Satomi arrived as the first Bishop of the Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii and organized the Betsuin Fujinkai, the first Jodo Shinshu women's organization in Hawaii. Much of the groundwork of the Fujinkai however, is credited to the second Bishop Rev. Yemyo Imamura and his wife, Kyoko. That same year, Rev. Gyoshin Sato of Kona also organized a group called the Buddhist Women's Club and it included members from the six satellite temples along the Kona Coast.

In October of 1903, the Hawaii Betsuin Fujinkai elected the Bishop's wife, Mrs. Kyoko Imamura as the president. On March 4, 1904, Lihue Hongwanji formed their Fujinkai and elected Mrs. Mineo Miyazaki, wife of Rev. Hiseki Miyazaki as their president. Wailuku Hongwanji Mission formed their Fujinkai in March 1905, and Mrs. Hojo Miterai served as the president. In the next few years, many district fukyojyo (Structurally smaller than a temple, but fully equipped like a temple. A place to propagate missionary type of religious work.) and temples throughout the island chain established their Fujinkai groups.

(Taken from "Hosha")

Revised January 2006

History of the Buddhist Women's Association in Hawaii (additional)

From 1898 to 1978 the Fujinkai or Buddhist Women’s Association was formed at each temple as the temple was built throughout the Hawaiian islands. The following are the year the temple was established and the year the Fujinkai was formed. The Fujinkai years are arranged chronologically.

1889 1898 - Hawaii Kyodan/Hawaii Betsuin

1897 1900 - Kona

1900 1901 - Naalehu (joined with Pahala in 1959)

1901 1904 - Lihue

1902 1905 - Wailuku

1904 1905 - Honokaa 1913

1902 1906 - Ewa

1902 1906 - Kahuku

1904 1906 - Lahaina

1898 1907 - Hilo

1902 1907 - Papaaloa

1907 1907 - Paia (moved to Makawao)

1899 1908 or 1915 - Honohina (BWA - Centennial in 2008)?

1898 1908 - Honomu (joined by Pepeekeo and Hakalau in 1947)

1900 1908 or 1911 - Pahala (joined with Naalehu in 1959)?

1907 1908 - Kohala (now under direction by Honokaa Hongwanji)

1902 1909 or 1907 - Puna (formerly called Olaa)?

1903 1909 or 1910 - Waialua?

1907 1909 - Kilauea (merged with Kapaa in _____) ?

1913 1909 - Paauilo

1902 1910 - Aiea

1909 1910 - Papaikou

1911 1910 - Kahului

1912 1910 - Puunene (merged with Kahului in 1972)

1904 1911 - Waianae

1910 1911 - Koloa

1910 1911 (1914 - 1952) Hana

1902 1912 - Waipahu

1907 1912 (1946) - Wahiawa

1910 1912 - Waimea (Kekaha)

1905 1915 - Pearl City

1915 1916 (reorganized1921) Pauwela merged with Makawao in 1974

1920 1920 - Kamuela

1922 1922 - Kapaa

1906 1925 - Moiliili

1925 1926 - Lanai

1938 1941 (1950 or 52) - Jikoen?

1909 1954 - Hanapepe?

1968 1966 - Kailua

1977 1978 - Mililanii

Note: It was very difficult to reconstruct the above history of dates. To maintain better accuracy, please contact us for corrections or additions to the above information.

During the early years usually the Bishop of the Hawaii Kyodan’s wife served as president of Hawaii Betsuin Fujinkai and the resident minister’s wife served as the Fujinkai president at the individual temple. These following women were wives of the Hawaii Kyodan bishops:

Bishop Yemyo Imamura Mrs. Kiyoko Imamura (1903 -1932)

Bishop Zuigi Ashikaga Mrs. Kiyoko Imamura(1933-1935) no family; niece

Bishop Gikyo Kuchiba Mrs. Kayo Kuchiba (1935-1946)

Bishop Ryuten Kashiwa Mrs. Ryuten Kashiwa (1946-1948)

Bishop Kodo Fujitani Mrs. Aiko Fujitani (1948-1952) 1949?

Bishop Zenyu Aoki Mrs. Suki Aoki (1952-1958) 1954?

Bishop Chitose Morikawa Mrs. Yoshiko Matsuda(1958 -1963)

1959?

Mrs. Yoshie Shirasu 1963

Bishop Shojitsu Ohara Mrs. Masao Ohara (1963 -1967) 1966?

In April 1954, during Bishop Aoki’s tenure, the Hawaii Federation of Buddhist Women’s Associations was officially formed. When the inaugural ceremony was held on April 17, 1954, Monshu Kosho Ohtani and Lady Yoshiko Ohtani presided over the auspicious occasion. The membership of the Fujinkai in Hawaii exceeded 7,000 that year. According to the Bylaws the Bishop’s wife continued to serve as president of the newly formed Hawaii Federation of BWAs as well as the Hawaii Betsuin.

Also in the fall of 1954, each Fujinkai/BWA unit became united by their island districts and today there are five United Buddhist Women's Associations. They are from Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii Island (Big Island), Maui (Lanai included) and Kauai with their own respective set of bylaws, officers, directors and advisors.

In 1961, Hawaii Fujinkai members joined the World Buddhist Women’s Association at the 1st World Buddhist Women’s Convention which was held in Kyoto Japan and four years later in 1965 joined the 2nd World Buddhist Women’s Convention held in New York City, New York.

Mrs. Jane Imamura, wife of Bishop Kanmo Imamura served as the Hawaii Federation of BWAs president from 1967 to 1974. The 3rd World Buddhist Women’s Convention was hosted by Hawaii and held in June 1967 at the Hawaii Betsuin with 1200 delegates world wide attending. A resolution to adopt the Student Exchange program was passed at this convention and in 1971, two young women Gail Mamura and Jan Aratani were selected the first participants to visit Japan. *(see Student Exchange).

The 4th World Buddhist Women’s Convention was held in April 1970 at Osaka Japan. The Buddhist Study Center opened its door in 1972 and the 85th Anniversary of the Honpa Hongwanji was observed in March 1974. Upon the suggestion of Jane Imamura the Hawaii Federation of BWAs Bylaws were changed allowing for a non-Bishop’s wife to resume the role of Hawaii Federation president. The present Bishop’s wife would assume the title of Honorary President. When the Imamuras suddenly left Hawaii in May 1974, Mrs. Kimiko Okano served for a few months as the first president in this capacity. Bishop Yoshiaki Fujitani was elected as Hawaii’s second nisei Bishop at the Legislative Assembly in February 1975 and due to a change in the Hawaii Kyodan Bylaws, the separation of Kyodan and Betsuin occurred for the first time. The membership of the Fujinkai in 1975 was 6,400 women.

Thus, the Hawaii Betsuin Rimban’s wife became president of Hawaii Betsuin while Mrs. Toku Umehara served as the 2nd Hawaii Federation president after the Bylaws change. She served for a total of 19 years from 1975 to 1993 while working part time in the Education Department of the Hawaii Kyodan. During the same time, wives of the Bishop, Mrs. Tomi Fujitani (1975-1987) and Mrs. Junjo Tsumura (1987-1990) served as Honorary Presidents.

The Hongwanji was very busy during this growing period. The Living Treasures of Hawaii program began in 1976 and in 1977, the 36th temple, Mililani Hongwanji was established. Hawaii hosted the 7th World Buddhist Women’s Convention in July 1982 at the Waikiki Sheraton Hotel with 2200 delegates world wide. The membership of the Fujinkai in 1984 was 5,600 women.

We also observed the Centennial celebration of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii in 1989 and two publications were made: “A Grateful Past, A Promising Future,” and “Hosha, a Pictorial History of Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Women in Hawaii.” During Mrs. Umehara’s tenure five world conventions were held in August 1974 (5th - San Francisco California), June 1978 (6th - Sao Paulo Brazil), July 1982 (7th - Honolulu Hawaii), October 1986 (8th - Kyoto Japan), April 1990 (9th - Vancouver Canada).

Upon Mrs. Umehara’s retirement, Mrs. Fusae Kiyokawa served as president of the Hawaii Federation of BWAs for six years (1994-1999) due to another change in the Bylaws. During her tenure, Hawaii BWA continued to be actively involved at all levels: World wide, State wide, United Districts and Unit. The membership count in 1996 was 4,100 women. In September 1994 and April 1998, Mrs. Kiyokawa lead the Hawaii delegation to two world conventions held in 10th -Anaheim California and 11th -Osaka Japan respectively. The Bishop’s wife, Mrs. Amy Nakanishi (1990-1995), served as Honorary President.

Mrs. Rose Nakamura succeeded Mrs. Kiyokawa and served as Hawaii Federation president from 2000 to 2003. She led the Hawaii delegation to Sao Paulo, Brazil for the 12th World Buddhist Women’s Convention in October 2002. The same year we saw the start of the Pacific Buddhist Academy, the first Buddhist High School in the United States. Assisting the Federation was Mrs. Chihoko Yosemori (1995-2006) serving as Honorary President with Bishop Chikai Yosemori and Rev. Shigenori Makino serving as advisors.

*The Hawaii Federation BWAs president who served from 2004-2007 was Mrs. Carol Yamamoto. The Hawaii Federation of BWA's successfully hosted the 13th World Buddhist Women's Convention in September 2006 in Hawaii with approximately 4,000 delegates and guests. The theme of the Convention was "Buddha's Vow My Aspiration. May There be Peace in the World and May the Buddha Dharma Spread". Assisting the Hawaii Federation BWAs was Bishop Chikai Yosemori, Mrs. Chihoko Yosemori, and Rev. Shigenori Makino who served until their respective retirements.

Bishop Thomas Okano, Mrs. Michiko Okano and Minister Advisor, Rev. Eric Matsumoto began their tenure in March 2007 and in January 2008, the leadership of the Hawaii Federation of BWAs was passed from Mrs. Carol Yamamoto who served for four years to Ms. Donna Higashi, the present president,

15 of 33 Temple Unit BWAs have already observed their Centennial celebrations by the end of 2009. What a tremendous feat. The first group established was the Hawaii Betsuin BWA in 1898 and the newest addition was Mililani Hongwanji BWA in 1978. We are deeply concerned about membership as members are becoming more and more elderly and the Hawaii Federation has lost close to 500 members since 2005.

To this end, we are seeking positive ways to address membership. We look forward to May 2011, when women around the world come together in Kyoto, Japan for Dharma enrichment and fellowship at the 750th Memorial observance of Shinran Shonin and the 14th World Buddhist Women's Convention.

Written by D. Higashi

January 2008

*edited December 2009
With contributions by Rev. E. Matsumoto, M. Okano, R. Nakamura,
C. Yamamoto, F. Kiyokawa, and C. Yosemori (Japanese translation)

* A list of Student Exchange participants from Hawaii can be found in another section of our webpage.

**In September 2006, a DVD called “The Lotus Blooms in Hawaii,” a pictorial history of the Buddhist Women in Hawaii was made in commemoration of the 13th World Buddhist Women’s Convention. Please contact us by email if you wish to view this DVD.