End of the 2010 craziness...

This Play came to Hawaii November 20 & 21 and Wayde, Jake, Abby, and I were among the few to go see it. It was a once in a lifetime experience and the play was very well done. Definitely ask the other for their opinions on the show.

In other news Tetsuya is going on now which you probably know since you probably aren't reading the blog and massively studying for finals. There will pictures coming to the blog soon, but if you're actually reading this and in Hawaii you should be going to Tetsuya, so why aren't you here!

Also would you be interested in seeing monthly dharma notes from either Honzan or locally?

Game/Movie Night in review...

So Game & Movie night happened on October 8th. I'm so disappointed that more people didn't show up :( Seriously! Jake brought his wii, so we took some time to play wii sports resort. That game actually made me want to get a wii really bad. After there was Cranium.

*G-money don't forget to change the playdoh in your game before the next time we play!

Seriously it was fun. Here are a few pictures.

Guess who the green team was?!?

G-money moving the pieces above this picture

Wayde impersonating Sly Stallone seriously funny. We couldn't stop cracking up.

We hope to see more people at the next event. :)

Game/Movie Night is coming!!!!

As stated in the previous blog because of the movement toward having a young adult group in Hawaii. We're taking steps to have more people meet. There's Game & Movie night at the BSC on October 8 6-9:30. We'll have new and old school games. Contact me for more info :)

There's a movement

Hey all!
Surprisingly enough there have been a few calls and a few visits to the office for classes for Buddhism geared toward Young Adults. Not sure what to do because both my boss and I are overworked as well are many others. However, we are trying. I'm looking to upgrade the BSC website with a little help from the high school perhaps that's going to be my official next project learning html and better website building.

I'm trying to put together events so if you're reading this and on Oahu or visiting I encourage you to come visit/hang out with us. There's probably going to be an event on Friday October 8, but I'll put more details soon.

Here are some videos I found recently
1. a YESS camp trailer made last year in Wailuku
2. paper rocket flying from Young Adult Retreat
3. a video blog from Young Adult Retreat
4. Kirk Shimabukuro playing my guitar gently weeps

It's been a while...

I know that it has been way too long since I've written here. Life has been changing in so many ways.

Youth Retreat happened for the second time in this decade. Jake was in charge with Rev. Kevin Kuniyuki of Wahiawa Hongwanji as the speaker. We went to Camp Kalopa on the Big Island.

Kona Hongwanji Taiko group, also known as Kristyn's Dad and Alan came and taught us taiko. We also got to make homemade taiko drums out of buckets and packing tape. We learned and flew paper rockets the same day, which is way more fun that you are thinking. If you don't believe me ask Bishop Okano or anyone who attended the Lay Convention in Kona :) We went for a hike and really enjoyed it. Rev. Kevin bought and taught most of his lecture out of Monshu Koshin Ohtani's latest book: Buddha's Wish for the World. I love that book almost as much as Dr. Ken Tanaka's Oceans so easy to read :)

If all this intrigues you then you should join us for Youth Retreat next year, I think it's July 4th weekend at Camp Kalopa again, but check with Jake for more details!

Manoaphobia happened on Friday August 27th and it was good. Although, it was a small turnout since UH had a concert that night as part of their back to school festivities. Perhaps, Manoaphobia will be moved to a different night near the beginning of school. Sorry there are no pictures. I didn't take any. Hopefully this blog will have more pictures in the future.

First YESS CAMP meeting is Friday September 17th at 6p.m. Buddhist Study Center. If you want to help out or know of anyone that wants to help out let me or Jake Thanks!

Manoaphobia 2010

ATTENTION EVERYONE!

The date for Manoaphobia has been set as Friday August 27th

It will be from 5:30-10:30p.m. the first friday after school starts!

Come check it out!

Message me for more details :)

Spring Hi-jinks with Fabulousness

Spring Tetsuya has come and gone. It has clearly been expressed this year that Tetsuya has definitely changed since it started and perhaps it has come with the times. Here's a few pictures of the day we grilled. Oh that grill is amazing! Thanks David!

Casey looks worried as he cooks the teri burgers. He didn't do so well with the zucchini :/

Wayde helps to get the fire for the grill started. It took forever :( I miss days where there were expert grillers at my finger tips, anyone want to volunteer for me?

At the end of the week, Grant dropped off the Kapi'o with an article on Brass Knuckle Ballad. Click the link below to read the full article. A couple of people from the BSC have been working on this film set to be released at the Fall HIFF. So exciting :)

Story of Brass Knuckle Ballad - Entertainment

Saturday May 15th to conclude the World Jodo Shinshu Conference that was held in Honolulu there was a private tour of the Arizona Memorial with Governor General Tachibana and Shinmonsama, Shinurakatasama.

Wayde takes care of the wreath the Hongwanji placed at the Arizona Memorial.

The older group was unable to get a picture with the dignitaries so we took one with Jake and the wreath. Jake isn't smiling on purpose just to prove he's not having fun and Wayde, who apparently is having fun decided to go a little Captain Morgan on us. Photo courtesy of Alan's camera :)

Shinurakatasama, Shinmonsama and Governor General Tachibana

USS Utah and memorial.

Fact: There are 54 crew members and one civilian that died on Dec. 7th, 1941. One of the crew members was going to give his young child a sea burial and didn't have a chance to do so when the attack occurred.

Fact: The white blocks of concrete scattered around the Arizona Memorial are where the ships were positioned the morning of the attack.

USS Missouri where World War II was declared ended.

Arizona Memorial

A rainbow decided to peak out when we got there

Offering leis into the ocean with flower petals

the leis and flowers floating out to sea.

Unable to post the big group picture because it would have looked really small, since apparently this blog doesn't like big pictures.

Jr. YBA took a picture by the anchor monument.

Don't forget Young Adult Retreat coming up in August. Links on the BSC website and get your forms into Jake as soon as you know. Have a great summer and more coming soon :)

Spring Tetsuya

Holy Cow!

It's already time for Finals. I know that you probably didn't want to hear that, but it's here. Sorry that this is so late , but my life has been crazy and I swear it has been crazier by the minute. The BSC will once again be hosting Tetsuya which begins on Monday, May 10th, 2010 and will be ending on Friday May 14th, 2010.

The BSC will be open 24 hours for all your finals needs. Make sure that you contact me beforehand because it would completely suck if you are stranded.

Also if you are still interested there will be a peace ceremony at the Arizona Memorial on Saturday May 15th, 2010. Let me know ASAP if you would like to go, because I need to reserve your spot on the Hongwanji boats.

Have an enjoyable summer and I hope to see you at the Young Adult Retreat in August :)! See the BSC website on the events page for all the necessary documents.

Young Adult Buddhist Association

As you may or may not know, the Buddhist Study Center Fellowship Club hit a very rough patch a few years back and has never fully recovered. In lieu of that there have been talk about creating a much larger organization called the Young Adult Buddhist Association, which does not limit the scope of the club to just the University of Hawaii Manoa, but allows the possibility for there to be clubs and fellowships across the island chain for young adult Buddhists. Below are a few words from Jake Chang:

Also, I would also like to take that opportunity to discuss the possibility of starting up a "Young Adult Buddhist Association" with you guys as the core group. Lets get that started at 4 PM.

Please help me spread the word about the YABA meeting. It is open to anyone that is interested from 18-30. I would like to just have a talk-story session with those interested to see how we can do the club. This is a great chance for you to help make an impact for a club that should hopefully carry on into the future.

First meeting will be April 23rd at 4pm Buddhist Study Center. Check the website if you need directions or a map.

YESS camp XXVI = Success

This is what is commonly referred to as the camp squeeze....seriously how many people do you think are in this picture?

Below a note from Robbie Omura, YESS Camp XXVI chair:

Thank you to everyone who made YESS camp 27 possible especially all the awesome campers who attended. I had a great first time experience as chair. Mahalo. :)

See more photos here

YESS CAMP teaser....

Watch the commercial and then tell your youth and young'uns to get click the link and apply to YESS Camp March 26-28,2010 Camp Maluhia

♥ February ♥

Back Row from L to R: Jamie Itokazu, Jake Chang, Emi Hashi, and Jessica Uehara

Front Row L to R: Ken Oyadomari, Allyson Fujii, Dwight Matsuo, and Dustin Soriano

Ken Oyadomari and Allyson Fujii

The above are pictures from the Living Treasures Luncheon at the Sheraton Waikiki. See what you missed out on when you don't respond to my emails. Free food, interesting program and we got to meet Mayor Mufi, Lt. Governor Duke Aiona, and Virginia Henshaw were there too. Besides we put out a good club presence and did a good job at ushering. Thanks again Ken and Allyson for helping out :)

Sorry that there are no pictures from the SuperBowl party on February 7th. I forgot to take pictures again. But there was a good turn out. We BBQ burgers and enjoyed other assorted appetizers. Thanks for bringing the dip btw...Abby! There was mostly a Colt fan base at the party, but there were a few that cheered the Saints on to victory. I think I can safely say that everyone enjoyed the halftime and all the SuperBowl commercials.

More events coming soon since now is such a crunch for YESS Camp XXVII at Camp Maluhia, Maui.

YESS Camp Car Wash and other assortments...

Hello Everyone!

Long time no write, I know. Sadly there will not be any pictures from Tetsuya on here because I forgot to take pictures while everyone was around and the only other pictures are on Rev. Muneto's camera. Apparently Rev. Muneto's camera doesn't want to release the pictures (ask me about this later you might know the solution).

January is almost here and gone, but here are somethings you should know:

SuperBowl Party February 7th 1p.m. email me for details

Giiseikai February 11-12 Hawaii Betsuin

Living Treasures Banquet February 12th email me if you want to help

YESS Camp March 24-26 Camp Maluhia,Maui

Sunday January 24th There was a car wash at the BSC to help cut the cost of camp. We were hoping to have more people come out, but due to the vog and the forecast of rain many people stayed away. Thanks to everyone who got their car washed or donated money. Also special thanks to those who came and helped us wash cars :) Below is probably the longest picture trail you will ever see on this blog.

*note my editting skills make the day seem sunny when it really wasn't.

Jake hanging the Entrance sign with my amazing artwork

Guiding the cars into the spot to get washed....

Camp Chair: Robbie sprays down a car...

Josh went hardcore to get people to come to the car wash. He even earned one dolla for his efforts...

The wiping after the wash for an all clean finish

The Super Youth Specialist fearlessly tries to get people to the car wash

Jake and Russ waving signs to attract attention....

Lynn mass texting her peeps about the car wash...no she wasn't slacking ;)

Lynn and Heather waving signs and we may have a taker...

Shaun's coca-cola ad...

Robbie's fun with the waterhose

Grant taking a break from recording to waves signs

Russ chomping on the food during a break

Wayde mass texting his peeps about the car wash

Apparently Beau thinks Josh is up to something....

Lynn driving Rev. Muneto's Prius up to get dried...

Rev. Hojo came to help too!

Even Maitri let us wash her car :)

Shaun showed up after work and people kept asking if the proceeds were going to benefit the military...

Russ takes a moment to yell from the landing

Cars get the all clean look...

Taking a lunch break...

Waving signs

Now I so want to wash my car because of this pic...hahaha

Aggressive sign wavers....
Heather scrubbing those tire rims....

The picture is odd and it got laughs but a lady said that she and her friend came back because this is where she wanted her car wash. Couldn't tell you if she was being serious or not:/

Marcie and friend stop by to help for a bit...

The Videographer. Clips of this will appear somewhere...