Been visiting Liliha Shingon Mission for more than three decades for New Year's blessing. It's an…read moreolder church, but is still in great condition for its age. The people who work here are very kind - particularly Rev Kawanishi and Rev Higa. I highly recommend this place for other patrons.

Reverend Higa at Liliha Shingon Mission was of great assistance to my Japanese (from Japan, not…read morelocal) mother-in-law when her husband passed last summer. Reverend Higa explained the difference to her between US and Japanese practice even though the temple was Japanese. In Japan after cremation, some of the remaining bone fragments are kept and have religious significance. Since that is not possible here, having a Japanese speaking local helped my mother-in-law understand why the cultural practices had to be adjusted. Aside from Reverend Higa, the temple itself is ornate on the inside. It was a relaxing environment to honor my father-in-law.

Shinnyo-En is responsible for the very popular Lantern Floating that takes place at Ala Moana Beach…read morePark. Shinnyo-En and its members, are dedicated in making this event a success. Preparation starts months prior to, they are so organized and insist on handling each step with the utmost care and order. For the volunteers, it is mandatory to watch an orientation video, which will even include instructions on how to wash your hands before helping. It's so amazing that they manage to assemble thousands of lanterns, while working in a small space. Lanterns are neatly packed away and prayer requests are handled with so much respect and manner. Your religious belief is not a concern, they welcome everyone to participate and come together for the remembrance of a special someone. A truly touching time of the year... Lantern Floating Hawaii, is where thousands gather (50,000 in 2017) for the same reason on Memorial Day, all possible thanks to Shinnyo-En, and it's members.

I have been a member of Shinnyo-en for over 15 years. I wasn't religious before becoming connected…read more(besides attending Buddhist funeral services and going to obon dances for surface level reasons). I enjoy this temple because they are very accepting of everyone, no matter what, due to the belief that everyone has Buddha-nature and the potential to grow inside of them. I never ever feel judged or worried. Everyone is so welcoming, whether you're a regular or a new face. I also appreciate that they are completely fine with me exploring other religions and freely accept people following (previously or currently) other religions. In fact, the head of our temple also attends services and blesses sites of other religions around the world. If I want to attend my friend's Christian services, I never feel like I am doing something wrong or should be ashamed. Some things to note if you are a new-comer: -There are numerous parking lots and street parking for you to use for free (see photo). There are usually attendants outside of the lots to welcome/guide you and if the lots are full, they usually have a sign out marking that. We usually try to park at one of the farther lots so that the elderly, those with young children, and those that are running late can have an easier time getting to temple. -We take off our shoes and wear socks inside the main building. There are lockers and shoe racks for you to use. If you forget socks, you can borrow a pair from the front desk. The front desk can also lend you a chanting book (English or Japanese), an okesa (you wear it around your neck), and if you let them know you are new, they can have someone guide you/explain things to you if you'd like. -There are usually rooms that play videos of the service in Japanese and rooms that play the videos in English. There are headsets to borrow too (they have dubs in the opposite language of the video and also in the same language if you just want to hear it louder). -There is a room that younger children and their parents usually go to (though it's not required) and there's also a separate building for babies and their parents (again, not required). -If you are in a wheelchair or prefer being in an open air room, you can view the service from a room next to the patio area. -There are refreshments for donation in the patio area (cup noodles, juices, sodas, etc.) It's common for people to hang out and socialize in the patio area and under the mango tree after service (: -There's also a training center in Pearl City if you don't want to drive all the way to town. Be sure to check the schedule though, as I think there are different services from the main temple. -If you are a new comer, any service is great but I highly recommend setsubun (good luck bean throwing) service in February--it's so much fun!

My Hunny and I visited this temple on Mother's Day to give flowers to my Popo and Mom. It's a…read morebeautiful temple and although the parking is very small, somehow they make it work. There's a massive tree in the lot and a lotus blossoms in the nearby plant pots. We could hear the monks chanting during their ceremony and prayer/Meditation. We enjoyed taking photos of the nature surrounding the temple. It's a very peaceful, spiritual place where you can embrace nature. The breeze was cool and refreshing after we finished burning incense and cleared the smoke smell from out clothing. It was a lovely Mother's Day.

I met my dad's cousin for the first time and she told me about this temple. I didn't know what to…read moreexpect. I mean, once you drive up, it's a little hard to believe that it is located in a residential area. It is really something to look at! Respecting the temple is the first thing to remember because you don't know who is watching. It was interesting that I took off my shoes and put them on a shelve with a bunch of other shoes, but no one else was inside. I walked around and looked at the different statues. I read some of the stories. I did take some pictures which I wasn't sure was okay or not. The one Buddha that called to me was the one with the many arms. I felt like him the past few months, doing way too much and juggle more things than I probably could handle. I knelt, lit an incense and said a little prayer. Hopefully He heard me. I also gave a money offering, which you should always do. Definitely worth coming to. Next time I'll spend more time meditating. 谢谢!

I have been attending service at this church for over a couple years with my grandmother. It was a…read morebit overwhelming at first because the entire service is in Japanese. It's a good think my grandmother is there to help translate things for me. Other than the language barrier, there were other things that struck me as different (in our current society). One thing that stuck out is the men and women sit separated, men on the right and women on the left. Also, men go first with everything from putting incense to eating. Extremely traditional Japanese culture at work here. But the main reason why my family comes to this particular church is because of the Sensei, she...yes it is a female...she is very wise beyond her young age. She has a lot of good and positive messages (in Japanese only) that she gives us after each service. I guess you can say that I have started to embrace my Japanese culture. And I look forward to learning more about the beliefs and traditions that built the country where my ancestors were from...

Enjoyed my $35 quilting class here. I called and showed up the next day. Cash only. They provide…read morefabric and you can park in their lot. No AC. Just fans.

This is a review for the bon dance that the temple hosts every year. Was a little disappointed this…read moreyear to be honest. [HANDICAP] Was able to get handicap parking so that was definitely a plus, was actually prepared to be dropped off by my wife and have her go wait somewhere so it was nice when we were able to get a spot. [FOOD] No pota-gi (Portuguese sausage andagi) or andagi when we went on Friday so that was disappointing. They sold catered Filipino food. By the time we got there a lot of the food was sold so that's why no food pics. Shimazu does their shave ice.

While this review may mainly focus on the bon dance event to me how a temple runs their event is a…read moredirect reflection of themselves. [HANDICAP] There is handicap parking available on a first come, first serve basis. So do come early or be prepared to be dropped off. [PARKING] Other lots available nearby, suggest calling the temple the week leading up to the Bon Dance to ask where parking is available.

I am a member of the community this temple is at. I used to feel more welcomed here, but recently…read morethey made it clear the neighbors aren't welcome.

I have lived here three months now. It's a really nice place to live, if you don't have any couple,…read moreor pet (not that those two are interchangable). First of all, the room. They have room with lanai, and without lanai. I didn't measure with a rollmeter, only by footsteps. It's about 240 sq.ft (no lanai) and the lanai is about 90 sq.ft addition to your room. Since this dorm is strictly 1 occupant per room, it's quite large. I agree with the earlier reviewer that maybe the rooms used to be for 2 people. For furnishing, I got 1 bed, 2 closets, 1 desk, 1 chair, 1 study lamp, 1 standing fan, 1 carpet, 1 mirror attached to the door, 2 shelves, 1 drawer, 1 bin. If you want, you can put a small fridge (under 4.0 cu.ft) and a microwave inside your room without any additional charge. If you're renting one, just make sure you have the one with windows opening to the street or to the dorm's garden instead of the rooms with windows opening to your neighbors' backyard. Those neighbors on Young Street can be very loud when they have arguments. They don't argue all the time, but it's still a nuisance for me, because my window and my lanai open to their backyard. When they're calm, 'though, my room gets really nice. At days, I got plenty of lights from the glass door that open to my lanai (well, it can get hot around noon sometimes but that's why you're in Hawai'i, right?). At nights I would just turn the lights off, open a window next to my bed, and see the skyscrapers of Waikiki. Airplanes would pass above those skyscrappers. Not so bad for a room in an old dorm. Dorm rule: no couple/roommate, no pet, no alcohol, no smoking inside the building (you can smoke in the VAST parking lot). It's the dorm for a Buddhist temple, but anyone can apply in a semester lease. Rent: $600/mo (no lanai), and add another $50 if you want the lanai. Shortest possible stay is 7 days ($230/7days). You can stay in two-weekly term too ($460/14 days). Prices are current as of 2013. If you want parking, add another $45. There's a bike rack to lock your bike upon. It's free, of course, and it's always crowded. Don't be deterred by wheels and other remnants of stolen bike still attached to the rack. It's safe, trust me. Those wheels are good reminder to lock your bike always, anywhere, anytime. Also, the main gate is closed after 10pm. Amenities: a lot. Free water, electricity, gas, internet. Bathroom is shared and available on each floor. All are cleaned everyday by the old lady who manage the residents. Her name's Myra and she lives with her husband, Del. They also have a small dog which won't bother anyone. There's a living room with a TV on each floor and a sofa, but this being a dorm you can imagine the smell of the sofas, especially on the male floors (1st &2nd). Kitchen is also shared & opened from 6am-10pm. You get a fair-sized drawer for your utensils and whatnot, and there's a big fridge for everyone to use. It's not too cold 'though, so I only used it for first couple weeks and bought mine eventually. In the large dining room (fits for about 50 people), there's a microwave, vending machine, and a pingpong table. The dining room also has a lanai which is pretty cool for a solemn, solitary breakfast. The internet is accessible from anywhere inside the building, but access from my room is somewhat dissatisfying. There's a wi-fi modem on each floor but the one on my floor is barely functioning. Me being a browsing-freak just can't stand it sometimes. I have to go to the living room if I want to stream anything. In all the living rooms and the dining room, the speed is quite decent. Coin-operated washers and dryers are available near the dining room. There are two of those each. Washer will cost you 5 quarters/load, and dryer 3 quarters/load. You can use the drying line, which I do all the time. Security is good. You need a key to enter the building and another key for your room. Don't lock yourself out, or you'll have to ask Myra to open your room for you and you'll be charged $1-3 each time, depending on what hour in the day and what day in the week. The gate closed at 10pm each night as I've mentioned above, and there's a gap on the stone-gate specifically made to pass human and his bike only. I use it almost all the time since I transform into Batman riding Batcycle occasionally. The dorm's located just a couple yards from the busy South Beretania + Punahou. You can reach Foodland, which open 24/7, in no time. If you fancy some walking, within 15-20 minutes you can reach Walmart and Ala Moana Center. If you cook/ like East Asian food, you can walk to Asian Grocery in 10 minutes (just after South Beretania + Keeaumoku). If you have no vehicle whatsoever, don't worry. Bus stop for Bus 1 and 6 is just across the street, and on Punahou, another bus stop for Bus 5. All in all, it's a good deal, this dorm, which is a rare thing in Honolulu. The building may look old, but it's well maintained and have high overall value.

Oh yeah! This is where I first lived when I was a student at UH. This is the place for affordable…read morerent. There are 3 floors. The bottom 2 for guys, and the top for women. During my 2 year stay, the rent started at $410 and escalated to just over/under $500. The price and the website picture made me hesitant to move in here, but it's well worth it. I would like to talk about this place as it was when I first moved in but that wouldn't be very beneficial to you readers. First off, the rooms are very well sized for the price. They are single rooms, but back in the day, I think the rooms were for double occupants. Hence, when I moved in here, there were two desks, and two closets. You can ask to have a desk removed if you want. The rooms are as clean as can be, but I always seemed to have trouble with dust wherever I lived in Hawaii, and this place is no exception. Some rooms have newer curtains, and others not. I just mention this because mine were very sun dried and I felt that if I unhooked them they would stand upright. There's a carpet over the floor which I found not to my liking. In every room the carpet seemed to be in the same condition which is old and dusty. I ended up rolling it up and putting it in the closet. Overall, the rooms were a welcome relief. The bathrooms and the kitchen are community shared. There's also a social area on each floor. Around the time I was leaving, they were finishing up in renovating the showers. You don't want to know what they were like before this. There's 4 showers on the second floor and 3 on the first. Take your pick. There are enough toilet stalls here that I never had to wait to use them. Overall in terms of the bathrooms, I don't know the condition they are in now, but I got by with them. They are cleaned everyday. I can't really say much about the kitchen because I never really cooked here. Just used the microwave. It does have everything you need in a kitchen, and there are community refrigerators and pots and pans to use. The lounge has a TV with cable, and from what I heard newer seating in the area. There's a laundry area. This is probably the place where I had to wait the most. A ping pong table and vending machine is in the dining area along with a couple community use computers. I always seemed to experience technical difficulties while using them. I just used the wireless connection that the dorm provided. There's also more than enough seats in this room. In term's of overall cleanliness, this place passes because from my experience they have controlled all cockroach infestation. Inside, I saw one big sucker once but it was dead. You'll find them outside though. Initially, I had problems with these micro ants that would scout my room, but I never really had any problems with bugs after I wiped down my living area. They seemed to disappear eventually. Just try not to invite them with food laying around. The person to thank for the cleanliness is Myra and her husband. They live at the dorm and they do a respectable job. In terms of management hospitality, I found them to be nice. If you find a problem with something, make sure you tell them because they will only help fix it if you tell them. Also, at the end of the semester, they have a party to celebrate and some volunteer mission people come and provide free food. Overall, some people think they're rude, but they never bothered me. In terms of who stays here, it varies, but when I left there were lots of graduate students. They go to various schools in the area. Some are foreign language students that are there short term to learn English. Not many Oahu locals stay here if any.

[HANDICAP ACCESSIBILITY] If I have recommended this temple…read morefor their bon dance in the past because of the great handicap parking and you were affected by it this year I am deeply sorry. This year they took away the handicap parking and made all of the front stalls for the workers and volunteers to park including the marked handicap parking stall. The minister when asked if non handicaps would be parked in the handicap stall he stated yes. When asked what about people who come on their own since I have recommend to fellow disabled people that drive themselves the minister stated he had to ask the bon dance committee. No matter how unpopular this makes me within the Japanese community this is the truth. The main tenant of Buddhism is compassion. Think about that. [TO YELP] I posted this on the church page and not the event page because this review in the end is a comment/review about the Minister and those that run the temple.

Yelp 100 Challenge #60/100…read more This review is for the Bon Dance. I honestly have never been to this Bon Dance before so I was excited to check it out. Went there on Saturday around 6:00 pm. Parking was getting full at the school and I was lucky to find some street parking a little down the ways. After we parked the fam headed to the bon dance. Once there I saw a bunch of chairs and pews to sit on. We brought our chairs just in case too. Then I headed to the Shimazu shave ice stand. They had I believe all or most of their flavors that is usually at the store. It was $4.00 for a bowl and an add on like condensed milk, haupia, li hing, mochi, or azuki was $.75. Come to think of it I ordered mine with azuki beans and didn't get it with my order. Oh well. But the shave was great and refreshing and we got one later after we were taking a break from dancing. The line moved quickly and there was hardly a wait. Then there was andagi which was good as they had something called poto-gi andagi which was a portuguese sausage wrapped in the andagi batter for $1.00. It was a small sized sausage and tasted pretty good. Almost like a small version of a KC waffle dog. I did like the andagi which was very hot and fresh. It was $1.50 for either 3 original or cinnamon and sugar. I tried the cinnamon/sugar and it tasted good. I would get that again in the future. They had a system to order food. It was in rec sized area which was pretty big and there were seats and tables in there too. I walked up to look at the menu and someone was there to take my order. This is pretty organized. I had the beef curry rice and spam musubi. I then got an order slip and paid inside. Two ladies rang me up and pointed to an area to pickup my food and gave me an order number. I then got my order about 1 minute later. Did I say this was very organized. The beef curry was okay, but I didn't try the musubi so I can't comment on that. The Mrs. tried the nishime and said that the vegetables weren't washed good or something and it tasted nasty. I was bummed for her as I read someone had the nishime and liked it. The Bon Dance was great as it wasn't that crowded and I loved the live performances. They had a troupe of older obachan's singing and then a little girl with musical Japanese instruments in the background. Then midway in the Bon Dance the Okinawan drum troupe showed up and they were great as well with tons of energy as always. Overall this Bon Dance was great and I loved it. I will definitely be coming back to this one. Great job to the HIgashi Hongwanji Mission! See you again and Aloha!