Hsu Yun Temple

The Fourth Commandment (Catholic Version): Honor your father and your mother
My paternal grandparents are Catholic. My grandfather graduated from St. Louis High School in Honolulu; and Dental School at St. Louis University in Missouri. My grandmother converted to Catholicism when I was in high school. She was an elementary school teacher.
I wondered why my father’s cousin had a plaque installed at this Hsu Yun Buddhist Temple for them. It’s a beautiful, clean, and serene environment in a nice residential area of Honolulu. There are many free parking stalls on the lot and street parking on Kawananakoa Place. It’s located on the left side of Nuuanu Avenue, headed mauka, across from the Royal Mausoleum.
The monks at this temple have a schedule of special services and sometimes have «jai» (Monk’s Food, a vegetarian dish) available in exchange for a donation. I really appreciate the constant prayers and rituals that they do for those who have passed on. Personally, I get a thrill when I hunt for their marker and I finally find the Chinese character of my surname along with the Chinese names of my grandparents.
One of the Catholic priests helped us to understand how to combine our current beliefs with the traditions of our family. When we practice our cultural traditions, we are honoring our parents and ancestors. I feel a sense of comfort in knowing that we are still connected.
Aloha ‘oe — until we meet again…
(Written on Mothers’ Day, 2015)

When you’re exploring Nuuanu Avenue, you shouldn’t miss this place! This temple is large and impressive, and really makes you appreciate the multicultural Hawaii. The vibrant colors really stand out and is a refreshing sight after seeing the cemeteries. From the outside you can hear Chinese chanting music, which fills the surrounding air with a nice spiritual vibe. Park here or in the cemeteries nearby and explore the area. There’s a lot of nice things to see!

On a side street off Nuuanu Ave near the cemetery, you will find Hsu Yun Temple. It is a Buddhist temple that is on the other side of the wall of Ma’ema’e School.
I am not a religious person. Though I went to a Catholic high school and my family is Buddhist. As a result, I did attend church service in school and still accompany my family to this temple for the ritual called bai sun.
Since it had been several years since I had been in Hawaii, my family brought me to bai sun in lieu of going to Kaneohe to visit the grave sites of family no longer with us. It is here that my family has placards of family member names, so this serves as a second (closer) spot of worship.
There are four buildings in the complex. The main temple is the front, while the two back buildings are worship spaces of family members that have passed. To the side are what I believe to be the temple office and Buddhist monk living quarters. There is also parking spaces on the property.
The bai sun ceremony is interesting in its ritualistic ways in which fruit, flowers, money and incense are involved. I have to say that I could do without the incense and the smoke from it though. But it is something that I can put up with once a year or so.
Though I am not deeply religious, I like to think that family in the other world is watching out for me. Hopefully they think I am living up to my potential and being the best person I can be or (at least) guiding me to that place.

I walk by this place during my «exercise» walking a couple of times a week. Reminds me of the old black belt theater kung fu movies… the ones with the funny voices that don’t match the movement of the lips.
The place looks immaculate from the outside… and peaceful.

When you’re making the Temple Tour, this is one to visit. It’s a pretty large complex on a side street on the left as you head up Nu’uanu, just past the chapel and tombs of the Hawaiian Royal Family.