History of Pa’ia Hongwanji and Makawao Hongwanji

Pa’ia Hongwanji’s 50th Anniversary Celebration in 1967

Roots of Makawao Buddhist Temple

  • In 1898, the first Buddhist missionary, The Reverend Hojun Kunisaki arrived on Maui and made his residence at Kula. Because of many inconveniences, he moved to Wailuku, but continued to serve the Kula, Wailuku, and East Maui area. After his death, he was followed by Reverend Funakura.

    In 1903 a church was opened at Hamakuapoko.

    In 1907, Reverend Ryukie Uehara came to Maui from Japan and the Paia Hongwanji Mission was officially opened in Lower Paia. The construction of a new church began in November 1908 and was completed in February 1909. An altar arrived from Japan in July 1911 and a dedication ceremony took place.

    A growing population led to the decision to construct a new church in Upper Paia. Construction began in April 1917 and was completed in October 1917. A larger altar was dedicated in April 1934 and in 1936 a nokostudo was constructed and the minister’s residence enlarged.

    Upon the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Makawao Hongwanji Mission in 2007, Reverend Chikai Yosemori wrote a detailed report of the closing of the Paia Hongwanji Mission and the move to Makawao where after four grueling years, a groundbreaking ceremony took place on October 20, 1968. The dedication of the new church took place on September 11 and 12, 1971.

    Makawao Hongwanji Mission’s (MHM) existence was the result of the closing of the plantation camp era. Several other Shin Buddhist temples besides those in the Paia area closed and were placed under the jurisdiction of MHM.

    In October 2022, Makawao Buddhist Temple will celebrate its 50th anniversary along with the 115th Anniversary of our predecessor Pa’ia Hongwanji Mission.

  • Pauwela Hongwanji Mission began with the arrival of Rev. Shoi Yamada in April 1914 and the construction of a church in December of the same year. In 1954 the Pauwela membership purchased the property from the East Maui Irrigation Company. The merging of Pauwela with Makawao Hongwanji was officially completed on January 1, 1974

  • Hana Hongwanji Mission: Rev. Ryogen Teramasa arrived in Hana in 1907 and a church was built in 1910. The dedication ceremony occurred on February 11, 1911. Rev. Matsui was sent to an internment camp and after his return there were only about a dozen members left. After his departure, Hana Hongwanji became part of Makawao Hongwanji. The land on which the church still stands belongs to Hana Ranch.

  • Kula Hongwanji Mission: During Rev. Shoten Matsubayashi’s long tenure (September 1939 to August 1964) as the Paia Hongwanji minister, Kula Hongwanji members attended services at Paia. Rev. Matsubayashi and his wife provided activities at the Kula church on Saturdays

Ministers and Kyodan Presidents

  • Rev. Ryukei Uehara: July 1907 (H’poko) to Jan. 1914 (Paia)

    Rev. Tassho Shima: February 1914 to December 1914

    Rev. Gengi Tatsutani: November 1914 to October 1924

    Rev. Ryugen Matsuda: June 1925 to July 1927

    Rev. Tetsuei Kiyohara: September 1927 to August 1931

    Rev. Zenko Saigusa: August 1931 to March 1934 (1936)

    Rev. Unji Hirayama: May 1936 to August 1939

    Rev. Shoten Matsubayashi: September 1939 to August 1964

    Rev. Chikai Yosemori: October 1964 to August 1981

    Rev. Kosho Soga: September 1981 to March 1989

    Rev. Munemi Terushima: June 1989 to October 1992

    Rev. Akinori Morii: November 1992 to June 1996

    Rev. Thom T. Nakanishi: June 1996 to January 2000

    Rev. Shigeaki Fujitani: February 2000 to August 2000

    Rev. Ronald Kobata: July 2001 to January 2005

    Rev. Toshiyuki Umitani: March 2005 to June 2011

    Rev. Sol Kalu: July 2012 to June 2015

    Rev. Will Masuda: February 2016 to February 2018

    Rev. Kerry Kiyohara: June 2018 to Present

  • Kiichi Shoda

    Toshio Ihara

    Risuke Takasugi

    Niehi Ueki

    Hiroshi Matsumoto

    Yasunari Hamai

    Hisayoshi Takahashi

  • Hisayoshi Takahashi 1971 - 1973

    Waichi Kunimitsu 1974 -1975

    Lester M. Hamai 1975 - 1986

    Masaaki Doi 1986 - 1987

    Florence Sakae 1987 - 1988

    Yoshio Kijima 1989 - 1993

    Clifford Tokumaru 1994 - 1995

    Yoshio Kijima 1995 - 1996

    Glenn Hamai 1996 - 1998

    Michael Nakagawa 1999 - 2000

    Clifford Tokumaru 2001-2002

    Floyd Nagoshi 2003-2005

    Glenn Hamai 2006 - 2007

    Michael Nakagawa 2008 - 2015

    Floyd Nagoshi 2016 - 2020

    Clyde Hamai 2021 - 2023

    Karen Ishizu 2023 to present