The Hawaii Betsuin offers many ways for families to engage with our temple sangha and gain exposure for all ages to the dharma and Buddhist values.
Dharma School children holding smile art

Children show “smile art” made on Dharma School registration day.

young scouts and adults in an outrigger canoe

Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts enjoying a joint camp at Kualoa Regional Park.

Small school bus with "Pacific Buddhist Academy" on the side, temple in the backround

The temple campus is also home to Pacific Buddhist Academy.

Family Service & Dharma School

During the school year, the Betsuin offers a family service at 9:00 a.m. Sunday mornings. This participatory service is geared toward children and lasts about half an hour. After the service, children attend age-appropriate Dharma School classes for activities that reinforce the teachings.

For the full Sunday schedule, see Sunday Services.

Temple and Affiliated Organizations for Youth and Young Adults

Hawaii Betsuin hosts or is affiliated with several youth organizations that are part of our extended temple community (or sangha). We are fortunate to host a full Scouting program, including Girl Scouts from Brownies to Cadets, Boy Scouts, and Cub Scouts. Jr. YBA (Young Buddhist Association) provides opportunities to practice organizational governance, have fun, make friends, do community service projects, and learn more about Buddhism. YESS Camp is an annual weekend retreat for “Young Enthusiastic Shinshu Seekers.” The Shin Issei Outreach Project serves young adults, particularly those from Japan, who are new to Jodo Shinshu.

See also our main Temple and Affiliated Organizations page.

Accredited Schooling for K-8 and High School

The Hongwanji Mission School (HMS), established in 1949, is a private school serving children in pre-school through grade 8 and is located just across the Pali Highway from the Betsuin. Pacific Buddhist Academy (PBA), an independent high school integrating peace studies throughout the curriculum, was established in 2003 with primary facilities on the temple campus and a program for the senior class at the Buddhist Study Center (the Peace Bridge program).