Dr. Albert Miyasato was a young man then, also returned from Japan. In Rev. Yamasato’s absence, Albert led the Vandana Ti Sarana. Although it was a small branch temple, we learned the same songs and lessons that were taught at the main Honpa Hongwanji Betsuin on Fort Street, now Pali...

We took turns leading the 8-fold Path. Since Rev. Yamasato did not speak English, we often had lay people giving talks. Some of the speakers were Ralph Presnall, Albert Miyasato, and Masao Ozaki.

I remember a Jikoen temple visitation by Lady Yoshiko Ohtani… Prior to her Fujinkai service attendance as officiant, our family was honored to have her spend a short time to rest at our residence. We spent countless hours preparing for Lady Ohtani’s brief stay. Her attendants visited our home ahead...

I attended Sunday School and participated in the service by offering flowers and incense. I even remember playing baseball for Jikoen in the Sunday School league of the Honolulu district. It was a mixed league and some of the girls were better than the boys.

I was in my teens and for the first time, I learned about Buddhism in English from an old British minister. I value this experience and basic information which enabled me to appreciate my religion and grown in understanding of life and religion.

Before the temple on Houghtailing Street was built, we had our services in the Gushikawa Club House that was built on our leased land on Kam IV Road. Services were conducted by Rev. Jikai Yamasato who was in his early 20’s at that time.

I remember Lily Miyasato (Horio) was the organist and would lead us in the Nembutsu when the minister was away. I enjoyed the Hanamatsuri festival at Kapiolani Park.

The new temple and social hall on School Street became the headquarters of the Hawaii United Okinawa Association (HUOA) for many years until the new kaikan was built at its present site in Waipio.

Following the end of the terrible battle of Okinawa and after a three month assignment in Korea, I came home on December 23, 1945. Soon after I got back I received several phone calls from the late Rev. Jikai Yamasato wanting to know what it was like in Okinawa during...

By the time the first Okinawan immigrants (our ancestors) came to Hawaii, there were already an estimated 60,000 immigrants from other prefectures in Japan in Hawaii.