Our Sacred History
Early 1900s
Kakuo Okimura was born in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. After becoming blind as a young man, he traveled the pilgrimage route on Oshima with his devout mother.
A profound religious experience during this period led to the restoration of his sight and deepened his devotion to Kobo Daishi.
Around 1911, Kakuo Okimura came to Hawaiʻi as an immigrant and initially worked on the plantations.
As a lay Buddhist, he assisted Rev. Eikaku Seki, who would later become the first Bishop of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism in Hawaiʻi.
Kakuo Sensei became deeply involved in missionary work, helping establish a preaching facility in Hanapepe, Kauaʻi, in 1920 and later serving at Waimea Shingon Mission.
1925-WWII
In 1925, Kakuo Sensei returned to Japan for formal Buddhist training at Shudoin, the predecessor of today's Koyasan Senshu Gakuin.
After completing his studies, he served at Koyasan Daishi Kyokai and at Chomeiji Temple in Yamaguchi Prefecture.
In 1928, following the recommendation of Rev. Eikaku Seki, he was appointed to serve at the North American Koyasan Daishi Kyokai in Los Angeles (present day Koyasan Buddhist Temple).
Kakuo Sensei returned to Hawaiʻi and continued missionary work at Kalawa Dainichido on Hawaiʻi Island. His ministry formed part of the growing Shingon Buddhist presence that served Japanese immigrant communities throughout the islands.
1941-1945
During World War II, Kakuo Sensei was among the many Buddhist ministers and other Japanese community leaders who were unjustly imprisoned.
After the war, he returned to religious service and began the work that would lead to the founding of Koboji.
1947
Bishop Kakuo Okimura founded Koboji Shingon Mission in Honolulu in 1947.
The temple's first home was on Kaena Lane.
From its beginning, Koboji was dedicated to Kobo Daishi and rooted in the Shingon Buddhist tradition.
1952
As the congregation grew, Koboji moved to Vineyard Street.
The consecration ceremony was presided over by Archbishop Shokai Wada, then Chief Priest of Koyasan Shingon-shu.
1958
Continued growth in membership and development in urban Honolulu led Koboji to its present location on North School Street.
On June 29, 1958, Bishop Tetsuei Katoda, assisted by Shingon ministers from throughout Hawaiʻi, presided over the consecration and blessing of the new temple.
Many sacred objects and ritual treasures brought to Koboji by Kakuo Sensei remain at the temple and continue to be used in services today.
The Next Generations
Kakuo Sensei's son, later known as Bishop Eisho Okimura, traveled to Japan to study in 1936. In 1946, at age 25, he was ordained at Koyasan Sanboin under the guidance of Abbot Seki Eikaku and received the Buddhist name Eisho.
He completed training at Koyasan Senshu Gakuin, graduating in 1948, and received Denpo Kanjo from Abbot Seki that same year.
Following Kakuo Sensei, Bishop Eisho Okimura became Koboji's second resident minister. He continued the religious foundation established by the temple's founder and helped guide Koboji into its next generation of ministry.
1964-1966
Bishop Kakuo Okimura passed away in 1964 at age 80.
As Koboji continued to grow, major improvements were made to the temple property.
In 1965, a project was completed to raise the building and expand its usable space.
In 1966, Koboji observed the third-year memorial for Kakuo Sensei together with the temple's 20th anniversary.
1967
On June 29, 1967, Dean Naotoshi Okimura, grandson of Koboji's founder, was ordained at Koyasan Sanboin by Abbot Kusanagi Zenko. He was eleven years old and received the Buddhist name Zenei.
This marked the beginning of the third generation of the Okimura family's religious service to Koboji.
1968-
1972
In 1968, Koboji held a service commemorating the 100th anniversary of Japanese immigration to Hawaiʻi.
As membership and temple activities continued to expand, construction began on a new parish hall in 1971.
The project was completed in 1972, creating the two-story temple complex that continues to serve Koboji today. A major dedication service was held that September.
1974-1980
After graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1974, Dean Zenei Okimura traveled to Japan to continue his religious education. He entered Koyasan High School and later Koyasan Senshu Gakuin, where he completed the traditional course of Shingon training.
In 1975, he received jukai, completed Shido Kegyo, and received Denpo Kanjo.
After graduating from Senshu Gakuin in 1976, he entered Koyasan University and completed his degree in 1980.
His years on Koyasan gave him a broad education not only in Buddhist doctrine and ritual, but also in the religious and cultural traditions that he would later bring back to Hawaiʻi.
A Third Generation of Leadership
Koboji observed its 30th anniversary in 1977. The Fujinkai celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1978, reflecting the important role generations of women played in supporting the temple's religious and community life.
In 1982, Koboji celebrated its 35th anniversary. The hondo was renovated, the nokotsudo was remodeled, and new altar ornaments were acquired.
The following year, in November 1983, Futenma Daimyojin was enshrined at Koboji, reflecting the temple's strong connections with Okinawan families in Hawaiʻi.
1987-1988
In 1987, Bishop Eisho Okimura retired as chief priest of Koboji after decades of service.
On May 30, 1988, Koboji celebrated its 40th anniversary together with the Shinzan-shiki, or installation ceremony, of Rev. Zenei Okimura as Koboji's third chief priest.
The ceremony was officiated by Abbot Hidaka Zenryu and attended by Shingon clergy from Hawaiʻi and Japan.
With Dean Sensei's installation, the ministry begun by his grandfather Kakuo Sensei entered its third generation.
1993
Pilgrimage became an important part of Koboji's religious life under Dean Sensei.
In 1993, members traveled to Koyasan, the Shikoku 88-Temple Pilgrimage, and the Suo-Oshima 88-Temple Pilgrimage.
These journeys strengthened Koboji's connection to Kobo Daishi and to the religious traditions from which the temple grew. Pilgrimages to Japan would continue regularly in the decades that followed.
1996-1998
Koboji's second chief priest, Bishop Eisho Okimura, passed away on January 20, 1996, at age 74.
His funeral was officiated by Abbot Hidaka Zenryu and drew approximately 1,300 people to Hosoi Garden Mortuary, reflecting the many lives touched by his ministry.
In 1998, Koboji held Eisho Sensei's third-year memorial and an eye-opening ceremony for a bronze statue honoring him.
The following day, the temple celebrated its 50th anniversary.
2003
In recognition of the Okimura family's longstanding connection with religious education on Koyasan, the Okimura Award was established at Koyasan High School in 2003.
The relationship between Koboji, the Okimura family, and Koyasan had by then extended across several generations.
2007
Koboji marked its 60th anniversary in 2007. During the anniversary observance, Hiken Daishi was enshrined by Archbishop Esho Yagi.
That same year, the Ikase Inochi monument honoring the victims of the Ehime Maru tragedy was dedicated at Koboji, giving the temple an enduring role in remembering the lives lost and praying for peace.
2011-2015
In 2011, Koboji observed the 17th-year memorial for Bishop Eisho Okimura.
During the observance, a statue of Dainichi Nyorai was donated to the temple, together with a gorinto memorial stupa offered through Koboji's connections with senior Shingon clergy in Japan.
In 2012, Koboji celebrated its 65th anniversary.
In 2013, Koboji observed the 50th-year memorial of its founder, Bishop Kakuo Okimura.
Pilgrimage continued to play an important role in temple life.
In 2015, Koboji members again traveled to Koyasan, Kyoto, and the Shikoku 88-Temple Pilgrimage.
2016
In June 2016, Koboji began operating as an independent Shingon temple while maintaining its religious relationships with Koyasan, Sanboin, and Shingon clergy in Hawaiʻi and Japan.
Continuing the Story
Koboji celebrated its 70th anniversary in June 2018.
Later that year, Archbishop Dean Zenei Okimura passed away on November 30 at age 63.
His death marked the end of more than half a century of direct Okimura family leadership at Koboji, beginning with his grandfather Kakuo Sensei.
Dean Sensei's influence remains visible throughout the temple—in its religious practice, music and dance, relationships with Koyasan, and the generations of members he taught.
2019
Dean Sensei's funeral was held in January 2019 and was attended by approximately 1,000 people at Hosoi Garden Mortuary, together with senior Shingon clergy from Hawaiʻi and Japan.
His 100th-day memorial was observed in March, and his first-year memorial was held later that year.
In December 2019, Archbishop Esho Yagi was appointed Senior Advisor to Koboji.
2020
Rev. Kosho Okimura, who had been part of Koboji's life since the early 1950s, passed away in July 2020 at age 102.
Her life connected the early history of Koboji with generations of members who knew her as a minister, teacher, and matriarch of the temple community.
2022-
2023
In May 2022, Rev. Miyagi received tokudo, or Buddhist ordination, beginning another chapter in Koboji's ministerial lineage.
In 2023, Koboji observed Rev. Kosho Okimura's third-year memorial together with senior clergy and longtime friends of the temple from Hawaiʻi and Japan.
2024
In November 2024, Koboji observed the seventh-year memorial of Archbishop Dean Zenei Okimura. The memorial was officiated by Zengan Priest Hidaka and attended by ministers from Japan and Hawaii. A memorial dance in memory of Archbishop Dean was performed for the first time.
During the observance, the remains of past ministers were reverently enshrined within the temple's gorinto, bringing together generations of Koboji's religious leadership in a permanent place of remembrance.