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CG Kamo’s Remarks

At the 24th Annual imin Yosebaka Obon Service at Makiki Ceremony

July 13, 2010

I am honored to be invited, and to take part in this auspicious memorial service ceremony this morning. We have just had a resounding chanting offered by Bishop Okano and his colleagues that paid tribute to the souls of the contract immigrants who came to Hawaii in 1885, and the Gannenmono immigrants and some sailors who perished here. I would fist of all thank our monks and priests led by Bishop Okano for their service in Japanese.

先ほどは、当地に無縁仏として祀られている官約移民、元年者、海軍水兵のお盆供養として、厳かな読経を行って頂きまして、誠にありがとうございました。ここに祀られている開拓者の皆様の魂にも届いたことでありましょう。ビショップ岡野を始めとする僧侶の皆様方に厚くお礼申し上げたいと思います。官約移民の方々を始めとする日系ハワイ移民は、ハワイに新天地を求め、その開拓に生涯を捧げ、ハワイを築いて来た人々でありました。その偉業は、日本人が民族としてなしてきた数々の偉業の内の一つとして誇られるべきものであると思います。

I just said that we are most appreciative of the services done by Bishop Okano and others for the contract immigrants for their toil and effort to pioneer Japan’s immigration to Hawaii. Souls of those pioneers would have been comforted. I think that what they have done in Hawaii is comparable to all the great achievements by the Japanese race in their entire history of existence.

I have learned that this memorial service has been passed down until today from the time when we celebrated the 100^th anniversary of the contract immigrants. The United Japanese Society of Hawaii overtook the role of conducting the ceremony 24 years ago for the benefit of the Japanese American community. Makiki cemetery is a symbol of the Japanese American community. It has become the place where the unity of the Japanese American community is being shown. The United Japanese Society would take the lead, while other groups devote themselves to maintain the cemetery nice and clean on a voluntary basis. I laud for their effort and dedication.

It is my hope that the community spirit will continue to glow and this Obon memorial service will continue to unite the Japanese American community as one for many years to come.