COVID-19 INFORMATION

Please note that all Sunday services and activities at Lihue Hongwanji will continue to be suspended for the months of April and May.

Please check back frequently as the situation with Coronavirus (COVID-19) changes on a daily basis.  We will post cancellations as we know about them. Continue checking on the links below for updated information.

Please keep the Nembutsu close to heart and mind as nothing can affect the wisdom and compassion of Amida or the working of his vow. 

Namo Amida Butsu

For additional information please also check the Honpa Hongwanji website

https://hongwanjihawaii.com/blog/2020/03/13/covid19/

For other resources please check the following:

CDC, COVID-19 Information

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html 

Hawaii State Department of Health

https://health.hawaii.gov/docd/advisories/novel-coronavirus-2019/

Kauai Government, COVID-19 information and closures

http://www.kauai.gov/COVID-19

Suspension of Services and Activities at Lihue Hongwanji

Update for May 2020

Aloha

As we move through April and come to the month of May, our community is still in a state of flux, with Stay at Home/Work at Home orders from our state and local governments in place as of the writing of this newsletter.

At this time, with caution and caring for all, services will be suspended through the month of May.  We hope to reopen for services in June with new guidelines for interactions. Because life continues to be a work in progress for us all, we will continue a constant rethinking of all guidelines and orders.  Thank you everyone for your patience as we navigate through uncharted territory.

We recommend the following affiliated organizations continue their suspension of activities which use Temple facilities:

· Lihue Kendo Club

· Lihue Aiki-Kai

· Scouts

· Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko practice

· Pickleball

· LHWA meetings

The LHM Preschool will follow Hawaii Department of Education guidelines and will remain closed through the remainder of the school year.

The following will remain in place:.

· The Columbarium will remain closed through May. If there is need to enter the Columbarium, please contact Shaku Kaufmann at the temple (245-6262) to arrange a time. 

· The temple doors will remain closed but can be opened by Shaku Kaufmann on request.

·  Hand sanitizer is available in the minister’s office and visitors are strongly encouraged to practice social distancing (remain six feet apart) if they need to be at the temple.

·  Bedside, end-of-life visitations, as allowed by the facility or virtually as needed.

· It is requested that memorial services be scheduled for June or later.

· Funeral services will be scheduled, as needed, following the Social Distancing guidelines.

·  Ministerial counseling as needed, preferably via  phone or technology.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Shaku Kaufmann at the temple office (808) 245-6262, the parsonage (808) 245-4543, emergency cell number (808) 384-7521 or via email at hawaiisensei@yahoo.com   

Please help each other and stay in touch, especially with those who may not have email or internet or may not have family on-island.  We also add a caution to maintain “social distancing” as the new norm in any situation. If you know of anyone, especially our Kupuna, in need of help with shopping or getting to an appointment, please do not hesitate to contact the LHM office.

Please continue to check on the LHM website for updated information and messages as it becomes available:  www.lihuehongwanjimission.com

The State Ministers Association, with the assistance of Hawaii Betsuin, will continue to have a live streaming of Sunday Service with a Dharma Message which will later be posted as a YouTube video.  Currently, the on-line services will continue through May 10.  Please continue to check for updates to the schedule.  Specifics are included on page 8.

We hope everyone stays safe and healthy during this difficult and chaotic time. Please keep the Nembutsu close to heart and mind as nothing can affect the wisdom and compassion of Amida or the working of his vow.  Namo Amida Butsu

Thank you all for your patience.  This is truly an example of impermanence and interdependence in real life.

Carol Valentine

President

Shaku Arthur Kaufmann

Resident Minister

Suspension of Services and Activities at Lihue Hongwanji

With an abundance of caution and in thoughtful consideration of the health and well-being of our members, visitors, and the greater community of Kauai, Lihue Hongwanji Mission is suspending all Sunday services and activities at our temple through March and April. 

This includes:

• April 5 Buddha Day/Hanamatsuri (Kauai Buddhist Council) Service at Garden Island Mortuary Chapel
• April 19 Eshinni & Kakushinni Service at Lihue Hongwanji with guest speaker Mrs. Lois Toyama

The following affiliated organizations will suspend use of Temple facilities:

• Lihue Kendo Club
• Lihue Aiki-Kai
• Scouts
• Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko practice
• Pickleball
• LHWA meetings

The LHM Preschool will follow Hawaii Department of Education guidelines; closed through March 27 for now.

The following will remain in place as possible:

•  ** Please note from today (3/29/2020)  the Columbarium will remain closed until further notice.  Thank you for your understanding.  The Columbarium will remain open daily as normal. Hand sanitizer will be available in the minister’s office and visitors are strongly encouraged to practice social distancing (remain six feet apart).
• ** The temple doors will remain closed but can be opened by Shaku Kaufmann on request. Please use available hand sanitizer in the minister’s office and practice social distancing.
• ** Bedside, end-of-life visitations, as allowed by the facility. New restrictions will allow bedside, end-of-life visitations will only be allowed via technology (cell phone, Skype, etc.).
• ** Memorial services previously scheduled
• ** Funeral services, as needed As possible, please schedule funeral services after May 15.
• ** Ministerial counseling as needed  Due to Social Distancing concerns, it would be appropriate to call for ministerial counseling via phone conversation.
  

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Shaku Kaufmann at the temple office (808) 245-6262, the parsonage (808) 245-4543, emergency cell number (808) 384-7521 or via email at hawaiisensei@yahoo.com

Please help each other and stay in touch, especially with those who may not have email or internet or have family on-island.  We also add a caution to maintain “social distancing” as the new norm in any situation. If you know of anyone, especially our Kupuna, in need of help with shopping or getting to an appointment, please do not hesitate to contact the LHM office.

Please continue to check on the LHM website for updated information as it becomes available:  www.lihuehongwanjimission.com

Beginning on Sunday March 22, 2020, as a State Ministers Association endeavor, with the assistance of Hawaii Betsuin, each Sunday there will be a live stream of a Sunday Service with a Dharma Message which will later be posted as a YouTube video.  Please visit Live Streaming Services for complete information.

We hope everyone stays safe and healthy during this difficult and chaotic time. Please keep the Nembutsu close to heart and mind as nothing can affect the wisdom and compassion of Amida or the working of his vow.  Namo Amida Butsu

Thank you all for your patience.  This is truly an example of impermanence and interdependence in real life.

Carol Valentine

President

Shaku Arthur Kaufmann

Resident Minister