Rev. Toshiyuki Umitani has been assigned to serve Kailua Hongwanji Mission (KHM) as an interim minister while Rev. David Nakamoto is on leave. Rev. Umitani is not a stranger to KHM as he served as our resident minister from January 2004 to February 2005. He and his wife Yoshiko lived in our parsonage down the lane next to the temple.
Rev. Umitani is from Hiroshima, Japan. He has an extensive education background which includes Kyoto University of Foreign Studies, Central Institute of Buddhism, the Hongwanji Institute of Liturgy and Musahino University. While in Japan, he received his Tokudo Ordination in 1998 followed by a Kyoshi Certification in 2000.
Rev. Umitani arrived in Hawaii in 2001 and began his ministerial duties at the Honpa Hongwanji Betsuin before his KHM assignment. Makawao Hongwanji Mission was his next resident minister assignment. The Umitanis relocated back to Oahu in 2011 when Reverend received his current position of Executive Assistant to the Bishop. He also serves as the Chaplain at the Pacific Buddhist Academy.
On the personal side, Rev. Umitani and Yoshiko have two daughters; Naho (12) and Riho (9). He has a PADI (Professional Assn. of Diving Instructors) Master Scuba Diver License and enjoys taking pictures, watching movies and playing with children.
As noted on our temple calendar, Rev. Umitani will be our speaker twice in the month of April. We encourage everyone to come to temple to meet him! Welcome back sensei!
For ministerial services, please contact Rev. Umitani at 227-1653 and for all other temple matters continue to contact temple president Dennis Tashiro (226-0339).