The Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin BWA Shinnen Enkai (New Year’s) luncheon and general membership meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. Feb. 10 at Sangha Hall in Hilo.
The theme is “Embrace Change: Transformation (Walk in Peace).” Rimban Shindo Nishiyama will conduct the Buddhist service. Carole Tsutsumi will be installed as president for 2019-20.
Other officers to be installed are Deborah Fried, vice president; Bessie Kubo, recording secretary; Sue Okunami, corresponding secretary; Caroyln Mizuno, treasurer; Lillian Watanabe, assistant treasurer; and Shizuho Ota, Janet Iida and Jane Miyasaki, auditors. Officers will be installed by Nishiyama.
Guest speaker is Carrie Kawamoto of Oahu, who was raised in Waipahu. Waipahu Hongwanji was a big part of her life. In addition to attending Sunday service, she participated in the Jr. YBA, taught Sunday School and played the organ. After graduating from Waipahu High School, she attended and graduated from the University of Hawaii with a teaching degree.
Kawamoto retired after 32 years of teaching. She now is an active member of the Mililani Hongwanji.
In 2006, commissioned by the Honpa Honganji Mission of Hawaii on the occasion of the 750th Shinran Shonin Memorial Observance, Kawamoto won the contest for her lyrics to “May Peace Prevail,” with music by Takeo Kudo. In 2013, she won another contest for her lyrics to “Buddha’s Great Light,” with music by Jennifer Taira.
Tickets are $10 for BWA members, $20 for non-members, and are available at the Honpa Hongwanji Hilo office, located at 398 Kilauea Ave. in Hilo, until Jan. 31.
For more information, call Lillie Tsuchiya, chairwoman, at 785-6765.
