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Jodo Mission

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two cruisers
two cruisers
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
1
Review
4
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Editor Pick

Lovely Tribute to the Japanese Immigrants

  • January 16, 2009
  • Rated 4 of 5 by two cruisers from Ames, Iowa
Lovely Tribute to the Japanese Immigrants

This is one of the most serene and lovely places to be found in Lahaina. From Front Street turn makai (seaward) at the church with the "Jesus Coming Soon" sign on the roof. The road immediately forks. The right one takes you to the Mala Wharf. The left one, Ala Moana Street, takes you to a beach access, the Puuphia Cemetery and the Jodo Mission. The beach access park has a lot of local activity including some who appear to have taken up residence in junker cars and vans. The cemetery is like none other I have seen. Instead of lush green lawns it is dry and desolate. Snow fences indicate an effort to control the encroaching sand dunes. The Jodo Mission has two entrances; the one closer to the beach appears to be for business or members only.
A sign at the other entrance welcomes visitors to this Lahaina Historical Site. In 1968, to commemorate the Centennial Celebration of the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii a great Buddha statue was dedicated. It is the largest of its kind outside of Japan. The 3.5 ton copper and bronze bell was also dedicated that year. In 1970, the Temple and Pagoda were added. All of the architecture is authentic to that found in Japan. It is a lovely site. The grounds are spacious and well maintained. I wish there had been a brochure or a guide to help us learn what we were looking at. Since it is an active worship site I was reluctant to explore inside the buildings. I read later that in forgoing that part of the tour I had made a mistake, as there are five outstanding Buddhist paintings inside the temple. So, don’t be shy, just be respectful.
In the neighborhood, over the stream bridge is the Lahaina Cannery Mall on the right and Aloha Mixed Plate restaurant on the left. Both are worth the stop.

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