A new tradition for birthdays!

So last week we started a new tradition with birthdays at least. We're going to start celebrating birthdays officially. Technically,we have tried to celebrate/acknowledge members birthdays as they happen, but our accuracy has not always been the best at catching everyone.

Emi's 19th birthday was the first one we officially celebrated this year. Sorry Wayde, Alan, Kristyn and Allyson that we were unable to catch you this year, next year for sure though.... Jake got Emi Red Velvet Cake and we mildly surprised her. Hurrah for Emi's last year as a teenager....

Emi Hashi from facebook:

So today I went to the BSC to go over the agenda because Jake said so... Caught a glimpse of Dwight sitting down and Jamie laughing until Koshin blocked the door. But when I got inside, Cara, Lacy, Wayde and Rev. Kevin K were there too. They brought out an amazing cake with candles and sung me happy birthday. And... I was kind of too happy and shocked that I completely forgot to make a wish. Which is fine because I wouldn't even have known what to wish for anyway. Cuz we're a family at the BSC and that's the best thing ever. Thank you guys so much!!!

We hope that you'll come by and become part of the Fellowship Club, so that you can have experiences like Emi's and we can celebrate your birthday too!

Rev. Kevin's move-in day

Rev. Kevin officially started at the Buddhist Study Center on January 1st, but still was commuting back and forth to Wahiawa moving things. The Fellowship helped him move some things without the aid of a moving truck on Saturday January 7. This was also a good opportunity to meet and talk with Rev. Kevin and his wife. Here some pictures, courtesy of Wayde Toyama, from that day:

Most of us before packing one of the cars

Ian, Josh and Jake taking a water break

Beau and Koshin discovered how much fun and relaxing the mediation field can be

Rev. Kevin coaching Beau on how to properly rake in the mediation field

Beau bringing up some things to the minister's residence. This is also the load from one car.

Ian carrying a box into the residence

The chain of moving boxes into the residence

Many thanks to everyone who helped Rev. Kevin to move to the Center. We look forward to working with Rev. Kevin and Mrs. Kuniyuki in the future.

Trip to visit Laie Beach house

Hello!!!

As I probably have mentioned Rev. Kevin Kuniyuki of Wahiawa is now the new director of the Buddhist Study Center. In taking the reins of the new position, we want to bring the focus of the Center back to the students and young adults. In doing so, for your benefit there will be a whole lot more activities planned ( *fingers crossed).

Jacob Chang and I went with Rev. Kevin to see a beach house in Laie. The view is amazing, but more on that in a bit. We also had the opportunity to visit Kahuku Hongwanji and meet the Tatsuguchis, which are the current caretakers. It's so sad that Kahuku Hongwanji is closing, but it was quite a treat to visit there and meet the Tatsuguchis.

The beach house is at Laie point which is amazingly spectacular itself, Seriously! I only have pictures of Laie point and the enclosed beach which the neighborhood can use. The house has an upstairs and downstairs kitchen and an amazing view of the ocean. Apparently, according to Rev. Kevin you can fish off the back wall. There also a small trail to tide pools and such in the backyard. Did I also mention that the yard is so nice that you can almost play golf on it?!?

Waves from Laie Point

Jake after checking out the waves at the Point

Mountain view from the Point

The enclosed beach for the neighborhood

We have a weekend full of fun planned including a beach house and we'd really LOVE it if you could make it out for at least part of the weekend, so let us know!