Announcing cancellation of in-person Sunday Services and activities effective March 16 through at least May 15, 2020; we are working on other channels for sharing the Dharma during this time

Published March 14, 2020 by

Update March 25th, 2020 (Download as PDF):

March 25, 2020

In order to comply with the “Stay at Home, Work from Home” order which was issued from the State of Hawaii on March 25,2020, Moiliili Hongwanji Mission will operate as follows until April 30, 2020.

  • Our Hondo, Office, and Nokotsudo are now temporarily closed.
  • All religious services and temple activities is suspended during this time.
  • Bedside Service (Makurakyo) can be conducted by the minister. Please comply with healthcare institution guidelines and contact us.
  • Visitation to the Nokotsudo is by appointment only.
  • White Way Radio Program continues as usual. Every Saturday morning from 7:45am to 8:00am on KZOO at channel AM1210.
  • To respect the “Stay at Home, Work from Home Order”, the Livestreaming Sunday Services from the Hondo is now cancelled. Plans are underway for sharing short video recordings of services.
  • You can reach us via phone at 949-1659 or email mhm@moiliilihongwanji.org.
  • The situation with COVID-19 is so fluid that matters could change anytime and very rapidly.
Earlier Updates:
  • Posted March 16th, updated March 20th:
    Plans are underway for sharing short video recordings of services
    Speaker: Rev. Toshiyuki Umitani
    Resident Minister, Moiliili Hongwanji Mission
  • Posted March 20th, Updated May 1st:
    HHMH State Ministers Association Live Streaming of Sunday Service
    The schedule of speakers is as follows: (Speakers are subject to change)
    3/22 10AM Bishop Eric Matsumoto (HQ)
    3/29 10AM Rev. Kazunori Takahashi (HQ)
    4/5 10AM Rev. Yuika Hasebe (Hawaii Betsuin)
    4/12 10AM Rev. Ai Hironaka (Lahaina Hongwanji Mission)
    4/19 10AM Rev. Jeffrey Soga (Waipahu Hongwanji & Waianae Hongwanji)
    4/26 10AM Rev. Tomo Hojo (West Kauai Hongwanji Mission)
    5/3 10AM Rev. Shawn Yagi
    5/10 10AM Rimban Toyokazu Hagio
    5/17 10AM Rev. Blayne Higa
    5/24 10AM Rev. Bert Sumikawa
    5/31 10AM Rev. Sol Kalu and Rev. Richard Tennes
    The videos will be available live as well as later on demand. To view, please access Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii’s YouTube channel or Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii’s website.
  • Posted March 16th:
    Update regarding Moiliili Community Center’s Senior Center and Kupuna Support Program and their fundraiser “Where Great Things Happen”
    Moiliili Community Center’s Senior Center and Kupuna Support Program will be closed until further notice. In addition their fundraiser “Where Great Things Happen” dated for April 18, which was to honor the Kunimune Family is also postponed until further notice. If there are any questions please call Moiliili Community Center at 955-1555.
  • Posted March 16th, updated March 19th:
    CPK Fundraiser update
    Our “Pizza with a Purpose” Fundraiser at California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) Ala Moana Center that was scheduled for March 25 is postponed until further notice.
  • Posted March 16th, updated March 19th:
    Hawaii Buddhist Council Buddha Day Service is cancelled
    Sunday, April 5, 2019 | 9:30 a.m.
    As a precautionary measure related to the COVID-19 virus, the Hawaii Buddhist Council has decided to cancel the HBC Buddha Day service.

Update March 16th (Download as PDF):

March 16, 2020

With the latest CDC guidelines, we are revising the previous letter to extend the closing of Moiliili Hongwanji services and activities until at least May 15, 2020. In addition to the already cancelled Sunday Services, other activities of the temple are also being suspended including Quilters, Ikebana, Japanese Dharma Class, Japanese Language class, Meditation Service, AA, Oahu Jewish Ohana, Karate, Zumba, and nursing home visits.

In addition, face-to-face committee meetings, Board of Directors meetings, activities of our affiliate organizations, such as BWA and Jr. YBA will be suspended. Teleconferencing is encouraged instead.

The temple office and columbarium will still be open as usual. Bedside services will still remain available. Please contact the office at 949-1659 to make an appointment or if you have any questions.

Please remember, as we are practicing social distancing, being physically apart, we remain interdependent. Take care of those who cannot take care of themselves. Share what we have and do not hoard. In our Buddhist practice, we teach impermanence. This is a major disruption, but it will not always be like this. We are all in it together.

In gassho,

Raymond Takiue, Jr.
President

The following is a letter to our community by Moiliili Hongwanji temple president Raymond Takiue Jr. and Moiliili Hongwanji resident minister Rev. Toshiyuki Umitani. (Download as PDF.)

March 14, 2020

Dear Moiliili Hongwanji Members and Friends,

With the guidance and recommendations from the CDC regarding the COVID-19 and faith based organizations, Moiliili Hongwanji will be cancelling Sunday Services, effective March 16, 2020 at least until April 5, 2020. Hopefully, we can resume services starting on April 12.

The CDC is recommending that for those who are at higher risk for this virus avoid crowds and stay home as much as possible. This group includes older adults, those with heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease. Much of our congregation falls into this category.

While we are cancelling Sunday services, we are working to live stream a service, led by Rev. Umitani and minimal staff to assist in the broadcast. At this point, we will be streaming this on YouTube and possibly other platforms. We will post this on our website and social media to provide a stream of Dharma that our congregants, as well as others, can partake of from home.

We will still be continuing our White Way radio broadcast on Saturday mornings at 7:45am on KZOO 1200AM.

Private memorial services may still be conducted at the discretion of the minister.

All nursing home visits by the minister have been cancelled for the month of March.

You can contact the office for any religious assistance such as bedside services at 949-1659.

During the duration of the Sunday service cancellation, the office and columbarium will be open as usual during normal hours.

This cancellation may extend further depending on the progression of this pandemic. Please check our website at www.moiliilihongwanji.org and our Facebook page for updates. You can also contact our temple office.

We sincerely apologize for creating inconvenience to you, but we believe that this is the right decision for the well-being of our temple and congregation. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.

May the Wisdom and Compassion of Amida Buddha guide us as we respond mindfully to evolving conditions related to the new coronavirus (COVID-19), Mahalo for your attention.

In Gassho,

Raymond Takiue, Jr., President
Rev. Toshiyuki Umitani, Resident Minister

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