Annual Puna District Memorial Day Observance – Saturday, May 25, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.
The Puna Hongwanji Buddhist Temple in Keaau will be hosting the Annual Puna District Interfaith Memorial Day Observance on Saturday, May 25, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. in person on the front lawn of our temple. The Puna Ohana holds dear to their hearts those who were willing to lay down their lives for this great country and we would consider it a privilege to have you in attendance. We know the importance of recognizing our Puna residents that gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
Our guest speaker will be Lieutenant Colonel Tim Alvarado the Pōhakuloa Training Area Commander.
The Hawaii County Band will play a prelude before the memorial starts.
A memorial erected in the garden bears the names of all Puna residents killed in action.
World War II (Stanley Cabral; Yuzo Hayashida; John Hernandez; Seiji Higa; Isamu Kanetani; Yutaka Kawamoto; Morio Mizumoto; Frank Mugihira; Shoichi Nakahara; Tadao Nakamura; Mitsuru Ochiai; Eishin Oshiro; Seikichi Oshiro; Kazumi Tsutsui; and Alfred Veriato).
Korean Conflict (David Aspili; Julio Figueroa; Yoshimi Fukumoto; Isaac K. Hale; Koichi Moriwaki; Wilson Park; and Paul K. Ura).
Vietnam Conflict (Moses I. Kuahiwinui Jr.; George G. Luis; Gilbert Olivar; Hayward K. Peleiholani; and George S. Salema).
Iraq-Afghanistan Conflict (Ray M. Furhmann II and Kirk Takeshi Fuchigami Jr). (We are still awaiting the plaque to be added to the memorial)
This year will mark the 77th anniversary of when the monument was erected in front of the Puna Hongwanji Buddhist Temple. Rev. Jukaku Shirasu formed the Olaa YBA council. As its first project, a silver gray granite memorial monument was erected in the garden fronting the temple to honor the members of the military from the Puna District who lost their lives in WWII. On Memorial Day 1947, a dedication ceremony was held. The military government officials, ministers and religious leaders of various denominations participated in the ceremony which was attended by church members and the community.
For anyone wanting to drop off greenery or flowers to the temple we will designate Friday, May 24, 2024 as a drop off day from 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Someone will be there to accept your contribution.
Thousand of people may live in a community but it is not one of real fellowship until they know each other and have sympathy for one another. A true community has faith and wisdom that illuminate it. It is a place where the people know and trust one another and where there is a social harmony. – Teaching of Buddha.
Hope to see you there.
