TAN WAH TEMPLE
The Hawaii Chinese Buddhist Society was founded in 1955 by Setwin Tang, Sing Fu, Kam Chong Lee, Franklin Wong, and Charles Ching. It received a charter of incorporation as a charitable and religious organization from the Territory of Hawaii that same year.
The members held meetings above the Tang Chinese Herb Shop on Maunakea Street and that gradually led to the development of a Chinese Language and Culture School from 1955 to 1975.
In 1957, two monks from Hong Kong, Venerable Chuen-wai and Venerable Cho-yin, were invited to start regular services, marking the beginning of the Tan Wah Temple. After relocating due to urban renewal, the temple was established in 1964 at its current location on Nuuanu Avenue.
The temple features a 14-foot wood-carved, gold-lacquered Kuan Yin statue with a thousand hands and a thousand eyes. The figure was imported from Hong Kong in 1979 and dedicated with an eye-opening ceremony in 1980.
The 30th anniversary of the temple was celebrated in 1989 by inviting monks from Hong Kong, the US mainland, and Taiwan who joined in reciting the Hua-yen ching over a three-week period.
The temple includes two memorial halls for ancestral tablets for the names of deceased loved ones and generous donors. As a support for those in the other world, there is a gold-lacquered figure of Ti-Tsang Bodhisattva in both halls.
There is also an attached social hall that serves the community and hosts Kung Fu clubs and Tai Chi classes. The hall currently houses the Chinese Physical Culture Association.
The temple holds regular weekend services including special observances that follow the Chinese lunar calendar, celebrating key events like the Buddha's birth and enlightenment. The temple welcomes visitors of all backgrounds.