Wailuku temple
is 100 years old

By Gary T. Kubota
Star-Bulletin

WAILUKU -- To some it's a religious temple that started nearly a century ago.

To the members of the Wailuku Hongwanji, it's much more: nurturing and supportive in developing some prominent professionals in Hawaii.

Members are celebrating the centennial of their Buddhist mission's establishment in 1899.

The theme and focus of the yearlong centennial celebration is "Nurturing Our Youth -- Our Bridge to the 21st Century."

"Those of us who enjoy the temple today see our 100th year anniversary as a symbol of determination and commitment that our grandparents and parents possessed," said Michael Munekiyo, president of Wailuku Hongwanji.

Hongwanji officials note that the mission's programs, including Boy Scout and Cub Scout programs, have helped to develop leaders.

They include City Bank President Ronald Migita, Honolulu attorney James Koshiba and Oahu ophthalmologist Dr. Shigemi Sugiki.

Sugiki recalled how he began to seriously consider becoming a physician after talking with a Boy Scout leader associated with the Wailuku Hongwanji.

Many former members who went through youth programs recall how the mission offered them a place to acquire wilderness skills, spiritual values and a sense of responsibility.

"That was a very important part of our life," said Alvin Yoshimori, a partner in GYA Architects Inc.

The mission has survived some major changes since first serving as a religious and cultural center for Japanese immigrants who came to Hawaii as sugar laborers in the early 1900s.

During World War II, the original temple at Wells and Market streets was shut down and the priests and a number of Japanese school teachers and influential businessmen were put into internment camps.

A number of youths joined the 100th Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team to fight for the United States.

Members re-established the temple at the site of the Young Buddhist Hall on Vineyard Street after the war.

Insurance executive Stanley Okamoto says Japanese who were born and raised in Hawaii looked at the war as an opportunity to demonstrate their patriotism to the United States.

Mission members have had the altar refurbished in Japan as part of the centennial celebration.

Today, about 470 families belong to Wailuku Hongwanji's Jodo Shinshu Buddhist tradition, with activities such as a Japanese language school, 4-H, martial arts, and scouting.

"Our family is active in the temple today because we have the opportunity to provide the same, if not a stronger support structure for our two daughters, as well as other young people in the community," Munekiyo said.

Centennial concert A centennial celebration concert for the Wailuku Hongwanji features the Los Angeles-based jazz group Hiroshima Sept. 11 at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center in Wailuku. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. for view-ing of historical exhibits and re-freshments; the concert will be from 6-9:30 p.m. Also featured are Kinnara Tailro and the Maui Taiko with Nakayama Minyo Kai.