When we are in the Hondo (main hall), we place our hand together in gassho and say the Nembutsu facing our beautiful Naijin (altar area). We see the golden statue of Amida Buddha in its ornate central shrine which is gold leafed to signify purity and virtue. We take in the golden glow of the smaller shrines that frame the honored portrait scrolls of Shinran Shonin and Rennyo Shonin and the lustrous gold of the Naijin walls. Gazing upon the Naijin, it is said, enables us to practice visualizing the Pure Land.

We greatly appreciate Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin’s 100+ year old iconic temple structure with its unique combination of Indian, Western, and Japanese design elements. However, beautiful things age, and it eventually became clear that the Shinran Shonin and Rennyo Shonin shrines in the Naijin needed to be refurbished and that the gold wallpaper needed to be replaced.

In February 2024, the HHHB Fund Raising Committee (FRC) proposal to restart the 2nd Century Capital Campaign to focus on the Hondo was approved by the HHHB Board. The project had been on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic and the travel restrictions that prevented craftsmen from Japan from coming to Hawaii.

It was estimated that it would take approximately $200,000 to complete the Hondo Naijin restoration project. Fortunately, the FRC’s application for a grant from the Freeman Foundation, administered by the Historic Hawai’i Foundation, had been approved in 2021 for $50,000. In addition, Reverend Toyokazu Hagio, who was Rimban at the time, had applied for a grant from Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai (BDK) (Japan) in 2019 and received a grant of five million yen in 2020, which amounted to $46,455.45.

The FRC then launched an effort to raise $100,000 from individual donors. Many, many thanks to the nine donors who contributed a total of $105,500 by June 2024, for the Hondo project. A gratitude ceremony is planned for July 2025. The project was also funded by $9,800 from temple reserve funds (reinforcement of sagging alcove ceilings and installation of new laminate) and $16,483.50 from general capital campaign donations (larger than anticipated transportation, travel, and shipping expenses).

The HHHB Board approved the FRC Committee’s budget proposal for the Hondo Naijin restoration at the end of July 2024. In mid-Sept. 2024, craftsmen from Wakabayashi Butsugu MFG, Co. Ltd. (Japan) carefully removed the two shrines, disassembled them, and packed them for shipping to Kyoto, Japan for refurbishment. In February 2025, Ralph S. Inouye Company, Ltd. prepared the Naijin walls for the installation of new wallpaper. The alcove ceilings above the shrines were reinforced with drywall to provide a firmer sub-surface for the wallpaper. Ralph S. Inouye also placed new laminate on the alcove ledges and retouched paint in the alcove areas. In March 2025, Wakabayashi craftsmen installed new gold-colored wallpaper of the same design as the existing wallpaper. The newly refurbished shrines returned from Japan in March and the craftsmen from Wakabayashi reassembled the shrines and placed them in their respective alcoves.

Preservation architect, Glenn E. Mason, who oversaw the project for the Historic Hawai’i Foundation grant, commented in his letter, “I have rarely seen the quality of craftsmanship that Mr. Murata and Wakabayashi have exhibited. Although the altar pieces were not installed when I was there, I was able to inspect each section and as I commented on site, the gold leafing was truly wonderful.”

The Hondo Naijin Restoration project has made a difference in our temple that goes beyond what is seen in before and after photos. We have fully embraced the goals of the Historic Hawai’i Foundation with respect to preserving, restoring, and honoring defining features of our historic temple. Our eyes will return, again and again, to our beautifully restored Naijin, and be reminded of our spiritual home and Amida Buddha’s aspiration for our creating a Pure Land community today.

By Cindy Alm and Wendie Yumori
(This story originally appeared in the July 2025 Goji newsletter.)