Queen Liliʻuokalani passed away on November 11, 1917. At 8:30 a.m. on the 100th anniversary of this event, bells at churches and temples throughout Hawaii will toll in commemoration, including at Hawaii Betsuin.

In a difficult and challenging time, Her Majesty extended her compassion and kindness to the Japanese community and in particular the Hongwanji Buddhist Community by attending a special birthday service in honor of Shinran Shonin, the founder of Shin Buddhism, on May 19, 1901 at the Fort Lane Temple, the forerunner of our current temple. Her presence along with that of Mary Elizabeth Mikahala Foster, who had extended the invitation to the Queen, encouraged the Hongwanji to proudly move forward. Her Aloha for the people of Hawaii made a tremendous impact on society at the time.