2026 HSMA Fall Conference on Kauai
Join us on beautiful Kauai for the 2026 Hawaii Soto Mission Association Fall Conference, hosted by Kauai Soto Zen Temple Zenshuji on November 7 and 8, 2026.
This special gathering marks the first HSMA conference on Kauai in more than thirty years and offers a unique opportunity to experience the island’s rich Soto Zen heritage, warm hospitality, and strong sense of community.
Highlights include a rare visit to the original plantation camp site where Kauai Soto Zen Temple first served Japanese sugarcane workers. Because the property is privately owned and generally inaccessible to the public, this is a unique opportunity to connect with an important chapter of Hawaii Buddhist history.
Participants will also have the opportunity to witness a traditional Soto Zen Hossenshiki, a Dharma combat ceremony rarely seen by many temple members, and attend Dharma sessions led by Rev. Brian Butsudo Turner Sensei, who will explore the practical wisdom of Zen koans with insight, humor, and warmth.
The conference will also feature temple tours, tea ceremony, fellowship with members from across the islands, and opportunities to deepen one’s understanding of Soto Zen practice and history.
Whether you are a longtime member or new to Buddhism, we invite you to join us for a memorable weekend of Dharma, friendship, learning, and the aloha spirit of Kauai.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Day 1 (Saturday, Nov 7)
8:40 AM Airport Shuttle Pickup
9:30 AM Ministers and Members Arrive (Kona Airport Pickup). Registration and Temple Gathering (Light Breakfast).
10:00 AM Zazen
10:30 AM Opening Service
11:00 AM HSMA Fall Meeting (Social Hall)
11:30 AM Lunch Bento
1:00 PM Dharma Koan Study (Rev. Butsudo Turner, Dragon Lake Zen, Boulder, CO)
2:00 PM Ministers Rehearsal / Kauai Zenshuji Interactive Temple Tour & Temple History Video
3:00 PM Tour and Memorial Service at Old Wahiawa Camp
5:00 PM Banquet at Social Hall
6:30 PM Shuttle to Hotel
Day 2 (Sunday, Nov 8)
8:00 AM Shuttle Pickup from Hotel
9:00 AM Shusho Hossenshiki (Dharma Combat Ceremony for Cam)
10:30 AM Completion Ceremony for Cam, Kim, Todd
11:00 AM Group Photo
11:30 AM Aloha Luncheon
2:00 PM Ministers’ Meeting / Grant Writing Workshop by Gerald Hirata, Zenshuji President
3:00 PM Shuttle to Airport
Please send in completed application forms and make checks payable to: “Kauai Soto Zen Temple Zenshuji“. Mail registration and payment to:
Kauai Soto Zen Temple Zenshuji, P.O. Box 537, Hanapepe, HI 96716. Attention: Ed Goka.
For Kaua’i residents and volunteers, there is no participation fee but please still register so we know names and numbers. We greatly appreciate your support to make this a successful event. Please talk to us if you are able to support in any way.
Please call 808-335-3521 (leave a message with your contact details if there is no answer) or you may email [email protected]
Mahalo!