About

Aloha Reverend Daido Baba

Starting July 1 Rev. Daido Baba became the Resident Minister at Kamuela Hongwanji Mission and the Oversee Minister for Honokaa Hongwanji, Kohala Hongwanji, and Paauilo Hongwanji.  Fridays, Rev Baba  is available for private consultation in his office at the temple. 

Reverend Daido Baba is originally from Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. He grew up in Chiba prefecture. His family temple is Shin-ei-ji temple in Chiba. He is a graduate of Ryukoku University in Kyoto with a bachelor’s (2008) and a master’s degree (2010) in Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. He received Tokudo ordination (2002) and Kyoshi certification (2008) from Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha in Kyoto.

Before he came to Hawaii, he worked at our mother temple, Nishi Hongwanji in Kyoto for three years. Reverend Baba started his ministerial career with Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii on November 1, 2014, and served at Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin for over 6 years. After that, he moved to Honolulu, and was assigned as the Executive Assistant to the Bishop and worked in the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii Headquarters for 4 years. He also served a Chaplain for the Pacific Buddhist Academy for two years.

Rev. Baba is married to Aki and has two sons and a daughter, Dojun (16), Doken (13) and Anna (8). Aki taught Japanese at Hilo Hongwanji Gakuen, Aiea Hongwanji Preschool and Hongwanji Mission School. She also has played the organ for Sunday services. Her hobby is ballet. Dojun plays tennis, Doken plays baseball and Anna do ballet. Rev. Baba sometimes plays tennis and used to go skiing. They are looking forward to seeing temple members.

Honokaa Hongwanji was established in 1904 with Rev. Joei Abe of Papaaloa ministering in various temporary temples.

In October 1905, the first temple was erected and it was originally known as Hamakua Hongwanji because it served the entire Hamakua district.

In 1913, Paauilo and Kukaiau separated from Honokaa because transportation was difficult and the population of Japanese immigrants was rapidly growing. Hamakua Hongwanji was renamed Honokaa Hongwanji at this time.

In 1929, Rev. Kobun Araki became the seventh resident minister and constructed a judo hall that same year. Rev. Araki’s replacement, the eighth minister Rev. Giko Tsuge, would go on to serve for 25 years, four of which were spent interned during World War II. The Hongwanji closed during the war and all related activities came to a halt. Rev. Tsuge returned after the war in December 1945 and oversaw many notable achievements. The judo hall was remodeled and enlarged, a dining hall constructed, 23,000 square feet of land was purchased for $2,721, and the combined gymnasium and social hall were built by 1950.

In 1951, the second temple structure and minister’s residence were constructed.

In January 1966, Rev. Toshimasa Nakanishi became the tenth resident minister, and during his nine years of service, Honokaa Sugar Company graciously donated the 10,000 square feet of land where the judo hall stood. The judo hall and Japanese school building were both replaced with modern two-story structures and were completed in time for the 65th anniversary in October 1970.

In May 2021, Rev. Masanari Yamagishi was assigned 4 temples in Hawaii District that includes the Honoka'a Hongwanji Mission through February 28, 2025.  

In July 2025 Rev. Daido Baba became our minister.