On October 20, 2024, the Wailuku Hongwanji Dharma School highlighted the entertainment segment of the WHM 125th Anniversary Celebration luncheon program with songs and a dance! With the excellent accompaniment of the Dharma Strummers group of Florence Tanaka, Sandy Hirata, Danny Topp, Barbara Parr, and Lydia Furomoto, the students sang cheerfully to a favorite gatha, “Living Gratefully”, written and composed by Debbie Kubota of Hawaii Betsuin. “We Are Ohana”, written and composed by the late Haunani Bernardino, expressing our dharma school family, was sung next. Then curtains were closed for a brief interlude to prep students with finishing touches for costumes and to finding places on stage in preparation for their Minion dance. Curtains opened to reveal the stage with large Minion drawings for a backdrop and students dressed as Minions themselves! Students on stage danced to Pharrell Williams’ “Happy”. Older students off stage, were “clappers”, clapping to the beat to accompany the dancing youngers. With months of practice, the students presented a great performance and were well received by the audience!
Students joyously sing “Living Gratefully” and We are Ohana
Students on-stage dance to “Happy” while older students off-stage on left and right “clap” to the beat.
Minions (DS students) doing the dance motions to “Happy!
DS student Kamauoha greets and chats with Keirokai honoree, Joyce kawahara!
On behalf of the WHM Dharma School, Risa and Nahe offer flowers during the service.
DS student Nahe, presents a lei to Keirokai honoree, Franklin Hamasaki, as Tamara Manley looks on.
Thank you Dharma Strummers for your wonderful accompaniment for our two songs!