Mary Foster. Buddhist Annual of Ceylon, Vol I (1920), 2, p. 5, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=75160195

You are cordially invited to a
Commemoration Service for Mary Mikahala Foster
& All Supporters of Hongwanji

December 18, 2022
9:30 AM Hawaii Time
In person at Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin and via Zoom

Mary Mikahala Foster was a native Hawaiian Buddhist and generous supporter of Honpa Hongwanji. We express our deep appreciation to Mary Mikahala Foster for her friendship and legacy at a critical time for Jodo Shinshu Buddhism in Hawaii. Please join us for a special service including a dharma message by Roshi Norma Wong of Daihonzan Chozen-ji, music by Udi Bar-David and Herb Lee, Jr., an an ‘oli by Lehua Matsuoka.

If attending via Zoom: see Zoom connection details.

A full-size flyer is available.

Udi Bar-David in a prior performance at Hawaii Betsuin

About Our Speaker

Norma Wong (Norma Ryuko Kawelokū Wong Roshi) is a teacher and thought partner. She is the abbot of Anko-in, an independent branch temple of Chozen-ji. She serves practice communities in Hawai‘i, across the U.S., and in Toronto, Canada. Among her areas of teaching: waging peace; leadership and strategy in the 7 generations context. (Zen resources: https://kaweloku.com)

Wong served as a state legislator, on the policy and strategy team for Governor John Waihee, and community organizing and policy work in the Native Hawaiian (indigenous) community.

She is a Native Hawaiian and Hakka who lives in Kalihi Valley on the island of O‘ahu in the Hawai‘i archipelago.

About the Musicians

Udi Bar-David is the founder of ARTolerance and Artistic Director and Cellist with the Philadelphia Orchestra. He is widely considered one of the most versatile cellists in the world, performing on international stages with both classical and ethnic musicians. Udi studied in Tel-Aviv, with Leonard Rose at the Juilliard School, and Orchestral Conducting at Curtis Institute of Music.

Herb Lee, Jr. is an accomplished local musician and recording artist. He is the Executive Director of the Pacific American Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving communities through education and cultural stewardship. The organization was honored recently at Pacific Buddhist Academy’s Lighting Our Way event.

Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin Location

While the address for Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin is 1727 Pali Highway, the access is from Lusitana St. behind the temple. For navigation devices, you may use 1742 Lusitana St., Honolulu, HI 96813 (see map). There are parking lots on both sides of the temple.