Board Election to Be Held Sunday, November 16, 2025 After the Service

Members: Need an absentee ballot?
We encourage members to attend the Election Meeting in person on Sunday 11/16/25 after the service (approximately 10:30 a.m.) To increase voter access, however, we are allowing absentee ballots for those not able to make the Election Meeting.

Members may request an absentee ballot from the Business Office. They will be available starting 11/17 to allow for the possibility that the ballot changes if there are nominations for officers from the floor at the election meeting.

Completed ballots must be delivered to or received by the Betsuin office by noon on Sunday, November 30 to be counted.

About the Election

In November of odd-numbered years, Hawaii Betsuin’s membership elects officers and board members to two-year terms. The board chose Sunday, November 16 following the English-language service as the date and time for this year’s election (beginning about 10:30 a.m.).

Members attending the service in person can stay in the hondo for the election. Members unable to attend in person may request an absentee ballot from the office (see box above; they must be received by noon on 11/30). We have a quorum requirement for valid election meeting, so members, please participate in person if can.

Current List of Director and Officer Candidates

Last updated: November 14, 2025 9 a.m.

Candidate Profiles available

Declared Officer (Executive Committee) Candidates

President-Elect* No Candidate
1st VP (Education) Jackie Furuta
2nd VP (Facilities) John Toguchi
3rd VP (Religious Affairs) Rene Kimura
4th VP (Finance) Wendy Harman
5th VP (Operations) Steve Lohse
Treasurer Dawn Kakuni
Secretary Dianne Ida
Auditors (2) David Atcheson
Joel Determan

*Please note that the President will be Wayne Yoshioka, elected as President Elect in the prior election.

Declared Lay Director Candidates

21 candidates for 24 positions

Alan Goto
Alan Tomita
Alex Harman
Arlene Matsubara
Charlyne Tom
Craig Tsutsui
Dana Ishibashi
Darren Cantrill
David Miyamoto
Dennis Sekine
Gail Tagashira
Gen Fujitani
Irene Nohara
Jason Furuta
Jo desMarets
Joel Ganotisi
Joyce Tomita
Mike Inouye
Ranelle Omura
Sharyn Sekine
Wendie Yumori

Positions Not Elected this Year

  • President – Wayne Yoshioka (was President Elect)
  • Past President – Cindy Alm
  • Rimban – Rev. Yuika Hasebe
  • Full-time associate ministers (Rev. Shingo Furusawa, Rev. Charlene Kihara)
  • Affiliate Reps:
    • Boy Scouts – Brad Fujino
    • BWA – Gayle Hirohata-Goto
    • Girl Scouts – Jan Nishihira
    • Sudhana – Ken Kadomoto
  • Non-Member Lay Directors (up to 5, Board appointed): Currently None
  • HMS Head of School – David Randall (ex officio)
  • Advisors (# TBD each year, Board appointed every Dec for 1 year): Currently Dexter Mar and Rick Tabor

Hawaii Betsuin Election Schedule: 11/2025 Election for the 01/25/2026 – 01/30/2028 Board

  • Nov 16, 2025 (Sunday) – Membership Election Meeting – Nominations from the floor for officer positions are allowed (candidates must be currently serving directors), then we vote.
  • November 17, 2025 (Monday) – First day that absentee ballots are available.
  • November 30, 2025, 12 Noon (Sunday) – Deadline for completed absentee ballots to be received by the Betsuin Office in order to be counted. Ministers open ballots and certify election results after noon.
  • January 25, 2026 (Sunday) – Annual Membership Meeting, 2026-2028 Board is installed