2023 Waimea Cherry Blossom Festival Souvenir Booklet

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K am&. HongUaaaj * Mission Kamuela Hongwanji Mission is located at 65-1110 Mamalahoa Highway fronting Waimea's Historic Church Row Park. Established in 1954, the temple was originally called Waimea Hongwanji. The name was changed to Kamuela Hongwanji Mission in 1969, so as not to confuse it with Waimea Hongwanji on Kauai. The temple is a Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temple and is one of 33 temples in Hawaii associated with Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii in Honolulu. It also maintains close ties with the Nishi Hongwanji head temple in Kyoto, Japan. Rev. Masanari Yamagishi is the resident minister of Kamuela Hongwanji and also serves as the minister for Honoka'a, Kohala and Pa'aui[o Hongwanji. For this year's festival, Kamuela Hongwanji will host its temple open house with Rev. Masanari Yamagishi. He will explain Shin Buddhism rituals and chanting to visitors. Guests are invited to sign the guest hook. Kamuela Hongwanji wit[ offer a concession stand with Asian foods such as nishime bento, chichi mochi, Okinawan andagi and more. Plus, the temple's social hall will be hosting several cooking demonstrations by guest chefs from island restaurants, along with fruit/vegetable carving demonstrations and more activities. �0 IN'(alla e a Lions Club NCO' The motto of the Lions Club is "We Serve" and the men and women of the Waimea Lions have been honoring that ideal since 1955. Caring for the 75-same cherry trees at the county's Church Row Park is the club's Largest service project according to Lions Club President James McDonough. In fact, the non-profit was involved with the planting of the park's first trees in 1972 as a community beautification project. During the festival, the Waimea Lions offers a large photo display of past festivals at Church Row Park and serves as the official Lost and Found station. The Waimea Lions is also involved with the local Blood Bank Canteen, and when the Boy Scout Makahiki is held locally the Lions provide a volunteer snack shop with all proceeds going to the Local BSA district. In addition, the club is involved with vision screening in schools, collecting used eyeglasses and participating in the annual Project Vision Van campaign to offer free adult vision screening. Most recently, the club is involved in hearing screening for school kids. While many of the organization's original members have lost their vim and vigor for active service, the Waimea Lions boasts newly inducted members and welcomes additional members interested in community service. For info, contact McDonough at jimbo5441@aot.com and follow WaimeaLionsClubDistrict50 on facebook.