The 7th Virtual State Dharma School Gathering held in October focused on the theme of “Nurturing Nembutsu: Cultivating Awareness”. Students, educators, ministers, and friends gathered online for the event featuring Rev. Tomo Hojo of West Kauai Hongwanji Mission as guest speaker for the service; student breakout rooms concentrating on listening awareness and selfawareness; and Ms. Edythe Vassall, former managing editor of Ka Leo Kahea, Hilo Betsuin and BWA member, and board of spiritual affairs member as the adult breakout room guest speaker.
Special Acknowledgments:
WHM’s dharma school student, Ryan Petro, served as an eloquent Maui district emcee
during the service. Many thanks to Ryan for his efforts and willingness to participate in this
online statewide event.
Kamauoha Tomita who is presently the State Jr. YBA President, served as an assistant to
the moderator in the Grades K – 3 Breakout room. Sincere appreciation goes out to him for
willingly accepting to assist.
Heleonahe Tomita and Ryan Petro were participants in the Grade 4-6 breakout room
moderated by Joan Tamori and assisted by Chihiro Okawa focusing on “Positive Affirmations”.
They were asked to respond to all five affirmation statements (which were on separate
slides) through thoughts and pictures/photos. Finished products of two of the five affirmations
are shared with this article. We can indeed learn from these bright students!