County of Maui photos

Maui Buddhist leaders recognized Hanamatsuri Week with a proclamation ceremony Wednesday at the county’s Kalana O Maui building in Wailuku.

Hanamatsuri week commemorates the life of Shakyamuni Buddha, the founder of the Buddhist religion who was born more than 2,500 years ago on April 8 in India.

Mayor Richard Bissen proclaimed April 1 through 8, 2024, to be Hanamatsuri Week and thanked Buddhist families for their contributions to the Maui community.

Group photo: Local Buddhist leaders Rev. Kerry Shūshin Kiyohara (from left), Rev. Shinkai Murakami, Rev. Gensho Hara and Rev. John Hara take a picture with Mayor Bissen.