Every Friday from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm

Honoka‘a Hongwanji Buddhist Temple

Meals can be picked up outside the kitchen

“Feeding our Keiki and Kupuna” is an important community meal program, which has become a critical resource for many. The Peace Committee of Honokaa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple has instituted additional food safety practices, distributing meals via take-out only. While the initiation of the take-out style service seemed extreme at first. This is to help reduce the chance of transmitting any illnesses via social contact, and is in line with public health directives.

Food preparation of the weekly Friday meals continues under supervision of certified food safety handlers. Cautionary steps include “social distancing” and volunteers strictly follow Department of Health food handling and preparation guidelines as well as disinfecting techniques recommended by the federal Center for Disease Control.

SAFETY FIRST! There has been another recent uptick in positive cases of Covid-19 on the Big Island, primarily related to travel. While no member of the Honoka‘a Hongwanji Buddhist Temple or any of its volunteers have tested positive for the coronavirus, face coverings and social distancing are required when working in the kitchen or social hall. We appreciate every one of our volunteers, and rely on them to make the community meal program a success.

The public’s understanding and cooperation is appreciated. During difficult times, our focus remains on peace, compassion and interdependence.

Ways You Can Help 

Each Friday: We need help during the following time slots to prepare meals and clean up.

• 9 am Kitchen Crew help
• 2 pm Kitchen Crew help and Upstairs Drive-through Crew
• 5:30 pm Cleanup Crew dishes, tables, sweeping, mopping, trash.

Please RSVP what volunteer time works best for you. Text Miles at 808 640 4602 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Pick-up Food: Donated food needs to be picked up and delivered to the Temple.

Make Donations:

• We are in need of one pound bags of pinto beans (for chili).
• Share the produce from your garden with families in our community.
• Bags of rice would always be helpful as we go through almost three bags a week. 
• CHILDREN'S BOOKS – especially for ages 3 – 6, are great for Bill to hand out to the families on Fridays.
• A $5 cash donation helps buy dinner for an entire family on Friday evening. 

Contributions can be made to: “Peace Committee” PO Box 1667, Honokaa, HI 96727

Questions, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; text to 808 640 4602

Honokaa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple presented Hawaii’s only live bon dance event “in real time” on Aug. 2, as dancers and helpers took the show on the road, visiting homes in the community. 

The first ever “Traveling Bon Dance” began at the Honokaa cemetery, where participants honored departed loved ones in a ceremonial dance. Afterward, a caravan of pickup trucks and cars moved from house to house to perform in yards or driveways.

..continued on Hawaii Tribune-Herald (Thursday, August 6, 2020)