Here are a few surprising and meaningful ways your donations to Wailuku Hongwanji Mission are managed with care, purpose, and aloha:
Undesignated Checks: If you write a check without a memo, your donation goes into the Kyōdan account, our general fund. This supports utilities, payroll, insurance premiums, temple upkeep, and office supplies. Your generosity helps keep the temple running smoothly every day.
Membership Dues (Gojikai): Checks marked “Gojikai” or “Membership Dues” go to the Gojikai account. This means you’re officially recognized as a member in good standing – mahalo for be-ing part of our temple’s ohana! And most of this fund supports our HONPA assessment our temple’s contribution to the statewide organization.
Six Special Services—Wait, How Many? You may have heard we hold six Special Services: New Year’s Eve, Ho-onko, Ohigan, Gotan-e, Obon, and Eitaikyo (November). But there’s a twist; we also hold a Special Eitaikyo Service in February, and Ohigan happens twice: Spring and Autumn. So, technically, we hold eight Special Services! Why do we still say six? We’re looking into it. Stay tuned for the next newsletter! By the way, donations to Eitaikyo are placed in a separate account and may only be used for emergencies or exceptional needs, with approval from the Board of Directors.
Nokotsudo Donations:Checks with “Nokotsudo” in the memo go directly to the Nokotsudo account, used exclusively for expenses related to the Nokotsudo.
Ofuse Donations: Let’s clear this up: It’s pronounced “oh-foo-say”, not “oh fuse” like an electrical fuse box. Ofuse means “for services rendered”, such as, weddings, funerals, birthday celebrations, and dedications.These donations help cover current temple expenses.
Dharma Fund (Shigemi Okamoto): Started by the Okamoto ʻohana, this fund supports, Dharma seminars, Guest Speakers, and Training Programs. A gift to this fund is a gift to lifelong learning.
Tadaichi Fukunaga Dana Fund – Donations here help cover costs for the Dana Award, including, plaques, certificates, and other expenses. Recipients are nominated by the four Maui temples, each of which may submit applications. Kunisaki Scholarship Fund: This fund provides educational scholarships to students whose parents are temple members. A donation here helps nurture the next generation.
Social Concern Fund: Most donations arrive in November and December, with a few in January. At the end of February, we total the contributions and send a check to the HONPA Social Concern Fund, a collective gift from our members to support com-passionate outreach.
Other Donation Opportunities: You can also support the Building Fund, Ohanaryo (flowers and decorating supplies), Honotomo (temple newsletter), Offertory (Sunday Service/Osaisen-Donation Box), and Hashi Elevator Fund.