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Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii today is honoring five winners of its annual Living Treasures of Hawaii honors, which recognize people in Hawaii who demonstrate excellence in their individual areas of endeavor and enrich society with their contributions.
Slated to be presented at a luncheon event at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel, awards will be given to the Rev. Chikai Yosemori, the Rev. Ida Keli‘iokalani Chun, Samuel M.O. Gon III, Robert Mitsuru Hamada, and Arthur and Rene Kimura. The Living Treasures recognition program was established in 1976, inspired by the Living National Treasures of Japan.
» Yosemori, elected the 14th bishop of Honpa Hongwanji in 1996, initiated a planned-giving program and development of Pacific Buddhist Academy, a private high school affiliated with the Buddhist sect. According to a news release, Yosemori emphasizes the Shin Buddhist concept of the interdependence of all beings, and "constantly worked towards improvement of Buddhism in meeting the changing needs in changing times."
» Chun, 90, is a composer and singer. She is among the last few dozen known native speakers of Hawaiian, according to a news release.
» Gon is a "premier leader in understanding a new paradigm in conservation, which merges Native Hawaiian and western science ways for caring for our aina (environment)," the release said.
» Hamada is a skilled woodcarver whose works have been acquired by organizations and individuals throughout the world.
» The Kimuras have been recognized locally and nationally for their efforts to promote science education. Arthur Kimura received the first Presidential Award for Excellence in Science in 1983, Outstanding Biology Teacher of the Year in Hawaii (1978) and the Christa McAuliffe Memorial Award for Excellence from the Aerospace Education Foundation.