Ho’onko services are observed to express our sincere gratitude to Shinran Shonin, the founder of Shin Buddhism. Ho’onko literally means a gathering (Ko) of repaying (Ho) benevolence (On).

Shinran Shonin found the way to encounter Amida Buddha’s compassion and wisdom and spread the teaching to all of us. Let us observe the Ho’onko service together.

This year’s speaker will be Rev. Ai Hironaka, who is currently working at Lahaina Hongwanji. He was born and raised in Hiroshima, Japan and graduated from Ryukoku University, majoring in Shin Buddhist study.

Rev. Hironaka received tokudo in 1992, Kyoshi in 2002, and Fukyoshi (Dharma Message specialist) in 2002. He became Kaikyoshi, overseas minister in 2002. He served at Hilo Betsuin, Aiea Hongwanji, Hawaii Betsuin and Lahaina Hongwanji. He has a wife and four children.

See also: Ho’onko evening service, Saturday, January 10, 7 p.m.