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"In 1903, Soto Mission crossed the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii, providing spiritual support to Japanese immigrants during the plantation era. This class explores the history of the nine temples established to bring comfort and community to the Japanese workers facing a challenging life. You will learn why Soto Mission came to Hawaii and its significance to the Japanese community up to the beginning of WWII. The class covers shared experiences such as the creation of the song ""Hole Hole Bushi"" and the practice of Picture Brides, illustrating the temple's role in the immigrants' lives.
The second part of the class focuses on the impact of WWII on the Soto Mission in Hawaii. The attack on Pearl Harbor and the internment of many ministers created chaos for the Japanese-American community. We will examine how the absence of ministers affected the temples and how their families and community members supported each other. The class also covers the post-war recovery and the efforts to rebuild and strengthen the temples, emphasizing the cultural value of family togetherness that has kept Buddhism strong in Hawaii."
Rev. Hirosato Yoshida, Gerald Hirata, Walter Ozawa
Rev. Hirosato Yoshida, Gerald Hirata, Walter Ozawa
Hirosato Yoshida, born in Shizuoka, Japan, moved to Hilo, Hawaii at the age of seven when his father became the resident minister at the Hilo Taishoji Soto Mission. Later, his family relocated to Oahu, where Hirosato graduated from Roosevelt High School and earned a B.A. in Anthropology and Religion at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Following graduation, he returned to Japan for monastic training at Daihonzan Eiheiji Betsuin-Chokokuji. For eight years, he served at the Soto-Shu Administrative Headquarters, helping to facilitate and coordinate anniversary events for Soto Zen Buddhism across Hawaii, North America, South America, and Europe. During 2021-2022, he also served as the Director of Social Media and Intergenerational Programs for the Hawaii Association of International Buddhists.
In 2018, Hirosato left his position at the Soto-Shu Administrative Headquarters to become a resident minister at the Soto Mission of Hawaii, Betsuin, and Kauai Soto Zen Temple Zenshuji in Hanapepe. It is with great dedication that Rev. Yoshida serves the members and friends of Soto temples in Hawaii."
Walter M. Ozawa was born to immigrant parents in a concentration camp and raised in rural sugar plantation camps on Kauai and Oahu. He earned a scholarship to Mid-Pacific Institute, graduated from the University of Hawaii, and joined the U.S. Army through its ROTC program. Ozawa served as Administrative Director of the Hawaii Judiciary from 2001 to 2010, and previously held roles as Director of Veterans Services, Deputy Director of the Department of Public Safety, and Director of Parks and Recreation under Mayor Frank Fasi. He also worked as General Manager and COO for Honolulu Transfer and Storage. A retired U.S. Army Colonel with 30 years of service, he commanded the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry and was deputy commander of the Pacific U.S. Army Reserve. In retirement, Ozawa serves on various boards, including Mid-Pacific Institute, Moiliili Community Center, and the Hawaii Army Museum Society, and remains actively involved with veterans’ organizations. He is currently president of the Arcadia Residents Association and an advisor to Waipahu Soto Zen Temple Taiyoji.
Gerald M. Hirata was born and raised in McBryde Sugar Company’s Wahiawa Village on Kauai. He earned a BA in Mathematics from Arizona State University and an MA from UCLA, and served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Botswana, teaching math and science. He worked as a Math Analyst and Programmer at TRW in Los Angeles, contributing to a communication satellite system for the Space Shuttle, then joined Digital Equipment Corporation in the computer industry. In 1988, he transferred to Digital's Honolulu office and returned to Kauai in 1991 to teach Mathematics and Computer Science at Kauai Community College. His hobbies include travel, Hawaiian music, ukulele, hula, hiking, biking, race-walking, and exploring Japanese American immigrant history. He is currently the President of the Board of Directors at Kauai Soto Zen Temple, the church of his parents and grandparents.
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