The Japanese Community Association of Hawaii will observe its annual Ireito Memorial service at 2 p.m. Aug. 25 at Alae Cemetery in Hilo.
The Japanese Community Association of Hawaii will observe its annual Ireito Memorial service at 2 p.m. Aug. 25 at Alae Cemetery in Hilo.
The observance will mark the 80th year of the Ireisai HOYO Memorial Service. The annual observance began through the efforts of the late territorial Sen. Sanji Abe, who had the marble monument cast in Japan and dedicated in Hawaii on Aug. 20, 1939. The overall height is 14 feet, 7 and half inches and it weighs about 15 tons. The round ball at the top symbolized the universal faith of all.
The Ireito Memorial symbolize the Issei’s pioneer courage, patience, humility, their trust in people and their belief in democracy. The memorial service pays honor to those deceased Japanese Issei immigrants.
“(It’s) a monument paying tribute to persons of Japanese ancestry, honoring those who have gone before us and giving those who still remain, a sense of closeness and belonging,” said JCAH President Michael Miyahira. “We are also honoring two Japanese sailors who died at sea and are buried at Alae Cemetery.”
The Big Island Buddhist Federation is assisting with the memorial service, with Hilo Meishoin serving as the lead temple, or Toban. The Rev. Junshin Miyazaki of Hilo Meishoin will conduct the service, with ministers from the BIBF and their temples participating in offering prayers, floral arrangements and incense.
The memorial service is open to the public.
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