Honolulu Betsuin’s
Rinban dies at 73

Rev. Gyoko Saito / Buddhist minister

OBITUARIES

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By Rosemarie Bernardo
Star-Bulletin

In July 2000, the Rev. Gyoko Saito donated beans, which he cultivated and were believed to have descended from those found 80 years ago in King Tutankhamun's tomb, to the Honolulu Academy of Arts.

The academy had a King Tut display.

But in the latter part of the year, Saito became disabled due to congestive heart failure. In February, he was hospitalized for an aneurysm.

After a week in critical condition following surgery, Saito, 73, died in Queen's Medical Center on Mar. 10. Saito devoted his life to Buddhism instead of a career in engineering.

Saito attended Otani University where he earned a bachelor's and a master's degree in Shin Buddhism.

He served at the Buddhist Temple of Chicago for 25 years and was head minister from 1966 to 1981.

Last year, Saito came to Honolulu Betsuin to serve as Rinban of the Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii. He succeeded in initiating new Buddhist education programs.

Funeral services will be held at the Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii at 1685 Alaneo St. at 10 a.m. Saturday.