Six years ago, in the December 2015 issue of the Goji newsletter, was this headline: “Betsuin Says Aloha to Rimban: Rev. Muneto to Retire; Rev. Hagio is New Rimban.” Today, January 1, 2022, the baton passed back to Reverend Tatsuo Muneto, who accepted the Bishop’s appointment to serve as Acting Rimban (Chief Minister) through June 30, 2022.

When Rev. Muneto (temporarily) retired from active duty for the Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Kyodan, he had served Honpa Hongwanji temples in Hawaii for 50 years, including four assignments to Hawaii Betsuin, beginning in 1965 as a new minister, in 1970 as Director of the English Department, in 1990 as Fukurimban, and in 2012 as Rimban.

At this morning’s New Year’s Service on YouTube, Acting Rimban Muneto announced his new role at the beginning of his Japanese-language message. You can watch the service, which also includes an English-language message from Bishop Eric Matsumoto, on demand at https://youtu.be/epyTopiIOuk.

We also take this opportunity to announce that Rev. Yuika Hasebe, previously an associate minister at Hawaii Betsuin, has been promoted to the role of Hawaii Betsuin Fukurimban (Assistant Chief Minister).

As we enter a new year of opportunities and challenges for Hawaii Betsuin, we extend our deep appreciation to Reverend Muneto for answering the call to return to Hawaii Betsuin for a remarkable fifth assignment and our congratulations to Rev. Hasebe on her new role. May we all support our ministers and each other to realize this year’s Hongwanji theme and slogan, “Building Healthy Sanghas: Connecting with Others.”

– David Atcheson, Interim Executive Director

PS. The January 2022 Goji newsletter includes an article of aloha and appreciation for newly retired Rev. Toyokazu Hagio and Mrs. Junko Hagio. The newsletter will be mailed soon and later posted to this website.