The Maui Wildfire Disaster Relief Fund will support the Lahaina Hongwanji Mission and other relief efforts on Maui following devastating wildfires.
Helicopter footage shows wildfire destruction in Lahaina. Screenshot via CNN Newsource.
Wildfires burning in Hawaii since last Tuesday across the Big Island and Maui have killed 96 people and forced thousands to evacuate, making it the deadliest wildfire in modern U.S. history, CNN reports. On Maui, much of the historic town of Lahaina has been devastated, including the Lahaina Hongwanji Mission, a Shin Buddhist (Jodo Shinshu) temple within the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii (HHMH) community and Buddhist Churches of America (BCA) network. In a letter announcing the fund drive, HHMH reports that the Lahaina Hongwanji Mission lost its temple, columbarium, classroom building, and minister’s residence to the fires and many of its members were forced to evacuate. The Lahaina Jodo Mission and the Lahaina Shingon Mission were also destroyed in the fires.
In response, HHMH has established the Maui Wildfire Disaster Relief Fund to raise money to support Lahaina Hongwanji and other relief efforts on Maui. Donations will address “immediate and short-term needs of temple families displaced by the fires and supporting the greater community as it rebuilds,” HHMH writes. The mission is accepting donations via Paypal, GoFundMe, and mailed check or cash. GoFundMe pages have also been created to collect fire relief funds for the Lahaina Jodo Mission to support Rev. Gensho Hara and the Lahaina Shingon Mission to support Rev. Takayuki Meguro.
On Sunday, HHMH shared a statement on Facebook from Bishop Rev. Toshiyuki Umitani regarding the devastation on Maui. Rev. Umitani writes:
I would like to express my deepest condolences to those who lost their lives as a result of the disaster in Maui, and my heartfelt sympathy to those who have lost their homes and are living as evacuees.
The fire that broke out on August 8, 2023, devastated the city of Lahaina. As of today, 93 people are confirmed to have died, and more than 2,000 buildings have been damaged or destroyed. The historic town of Lahaina, which was once the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom and a beautiful tourist destination visited by many people, was burnt to the ground.
Lahaina Hongwanji Mission, located in the center of the city, was not spared the destruction by the fire. The Resident Minister, Reverend Ai Hironaka, his family, and many of the temple members have safely evacuated and are currently living a life of inconvenience. As for the damage to the temple, it is expected to take some time to confirm its state, partly because the town is under lockdown.
The history of the Lahaina Hongwanji Mission began in 1904. Since then, the light of the Nembutsu Dharma has been successfully passed down through the dedication and contribution of the Resident Ministers, their families, temple members, and many people in the community. Lahaina Hongwanji Mission, along with other churches and temples, was the place of refuge for the people living in the area. I remember the sound of the Nembutsu reverberating in the Hondo on Sundays. It is truly sad for all of us that such a practice hall of the Nembutsu was destroyed by the disaster.
The Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii established the Maui Wildfire Disaster Relief Fund. Since then, we have received much support not only from within the State of Hawaii but also from all over the world, including the mainland United States, Canada, and Japan. On behalf of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii ministers and members, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to those who extended compassionate words and actions for those on Maui. I would like to humbly ask for your continued support.
Recovery on Maui could take years. Many people are living in anxiety about their uncertain future. As fellow travelers of the Nembutsu, let us stand in solidarity with those who are experiencing suffering and sorrow brought about by this unprecedented encounter.
Even though the temple buildings have been damaged, our sincere aspiration of listening to and sharing the Nembutsu teaching never disappears. This is not the end of 119 years of the history of Lahaina Hongwanji. We are all the more determined to dedicate ourselves to establishing a society where the sound of the Nembutsu prevails.
May the Wisdom and Compassion of Amida Buddha embrace us all. May the sound of the Nembutsu brings us peace and comfort, and gives us the courage to move forward. Namo Amida Butsu.
BCA Bishop Rev. Marvin Harada also shared a statement on the wildfires:
We are all watching in great sadness and horror, the loss of life and destruction of homes and communities in Maui, Hawaii, due to the devastating wildfires. Our thoughts go to all there who have lost loved ones, homes, businesses, temples and churches, and their community. What a tremendous loss for everyone.
I recall a story from the Jataka Tales in our Buddhist tradition. Once there was a huge forest fire and all of the animals in the forest were running away from the fire for safety. One little bird was flying into a lake, dipping its wings in water, then flying over the forest fire dropping little drops of water to fight the fire. Back and forth the little bird flew. The other animals shouted to the little bird, “What are you doing? You cannot put out the fire that way?!” The little bird shouted back, “I may not be able to stop the fire, but this is all that I can do. I must try.”
In the face of such devastation, we will all do what we can do, whether it is to contribute to the disaster relief, to share our encouragement, or for those in Maui, to begin to rebuild, one step at a time, doing what they can do.
On Friday, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama wrote to Hawaii Gov. Josh Green offering his condolences to the people of Hawaii, stating:
I have had the privilege of visiting Hawaii several times and have also visited Maui. I deeply appreciate the people of Hawaii’s interest in my efforts to promote basic human values and inter-religious harmony. Also, in the course of my interaction with the Hawaiian people, I have been touched by their deep devotion to their traditions and heritage. Therefore, I am particularly sad to learn of the damage caused to the former capital in the wildfire. I pray that you and the people of Hawaii will find the spiritual strength to deal with this tragedy.
While the damage to buildings may be irreparable, I understand that everything is being done by the federal, State of Hawaii and other agencies to provide necessary help and support to the people affected by this calamity.
HHMH will continue to post updates regarding the fires and the Maui Wildfire Disaster Relief Fund on their website.
