Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin Buddhist Women’s Association will hold its shinnen enkai luncheon and general membership meeting on Sunday, Feb. 10, beginning at 10 a.m. in the Sangha Hall.
The 2019-2020 officers will be installed during the program. They are: Carole Tsutsumi, president, succeeding Karen Maedo; Deborah Fried, vice president; Bessie Kubo, recording secretary; Sue Okunami, corresponding secretary; Carolyn Mizuno, treasurer; Lillian Watanabe, assistant treasurer; and auditors Shizuho Ota, Janet Iida and Jane Miyasaki. The officers will be installed by Hilo Betsuin Rimban Shindo Nishiyama.
Carrie Kawamoto from O‘ahu will be the guest speaker. Kawamoto was raised in Waipahu and grew up attending Waipahu Hongwanji. The temple played a major role in her young life. She attended Sunday service, participated in the Jr. YBA, taught Sunday School and played the organ. A retired teacher, she is now an active member of Mililani Hongwanji.
Kawamoto wrote the award-winning lyrics to “May Peace Prevail” on the occasion of the 750th Shinran Shonin memorial observance in 2006. The music was composed by her father, Takeo Kudo. In 2013, Kawamoto won another contest, writing the lyrics to “Buddha’s Great Light,” which was composed by Jennifer Taira.
The Buddhist Women’s Association supports the community by donating bags and blankets made by its members to various care centers in Hilo. They also volunteer with the Peanut Butter Ministry, Blood Bank of Hawaii and Project Dana.
Tickets for the shinnen enkai can be purchased at the Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin office. Lunch is $10 for BWA members and $20 for all others. For more information, call event chair Lillie Tsuchiya at 785-6765.
