The Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii has established a special collection to assist with relief efforts in the aftermath of deadly and destructive flooding in western Japan.

Hawaii Betsuin members and friends are invited to donate to this fund by making out a check to HHHB with a memo of “Western Japan Flood Relief.” Checks may be dropped off in the Betsuin business office or mailed to:

Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin
1727 Pali Highway
Honolulu, HI 96813

The temple will then make a single, aggregated donation to Mission headquarters, which will then forward funds to Jodo Shinshu world headquarters in Japan.

Donations may also be made via Mission headquarters’ PayPal account using this button:

Western Japan Flood Relief Fund

Below is a letter from the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii Bishop and President distributed to temples on July 22, 2018.
homes and roads underwater along the Takahashi River

Flooding along the Takahashi River (source: Geospatial Information Authority of Japan via Wikipedia)

From the Office of the Bishop,
Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii

Western Japan Flood Relief Fund

July 22, 2018

Dear Ministers, Members and Friends of Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii,

Japan Flood Relief Fund flyer thumbnail image

click the image for a full-size PDF flyer

Summer 2018 flooding throughout western Japan has killed over 220 people and dislocated many thousands. High temperatures and shortages of drinking water, food, and electricity have compounded the disaster. As of July 20th, at least 99 Jodo Shinshu temples were damaged. Members of at least 182 Jodo Shinshu temples were affected, with nearly 50 dead or missing.

Hawaii Kyodan will immediately respond with an initial donation to Honzan from the Social Welfare Fund to help those impacted by flooding and landslides. Further, a “Western Japan Flood Relief Fund” has been created to allow temples, members and friends in Hawaii to contribute towards the relief effort. The funds will be sent to Honzan to support Hongwanji-related temples and those who are affected from this disaster.

The special collection will run through August 31, 2018, and we are requesting each temple to collect donations and submit one check (to Headquarters) payable to “Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii” with “Western Japan Flood Relief Fund” noted on the check. Donations can also be made on-line by using the Donate link at hongwanjihawaii.com.

We are requesting all temples to inform your members by making an announcement at your services on Sundays or any other appropriate times and places. A flyer is also provided that you may use to display at your temple and for your newsletter.

Donations will have a direct impact on the lives of people as they recover from this disaster. We know that temples and members generously contribute towards our annual Social Concerns Fund Drive and we humbly ask for your support once again for this special collection.

Eric Matsumoto
Bishop, Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii

Pieper Toyama
President, Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii