PACIFIC WORLD - The Institute of Buddhist Studies

Koda: Aloha with Gassho 245overcome the sense of isolation for the Japanese and might encourage themto work harder. 37 It also helped bring about stability to the plantationcommunities. As a result, the plantations donated land on the plantationproperty for the Japanese to build their temples and language schools. “In1901 the Waipahu and Kahuku plantations started subsidizing Buddhisttemples and schools; Ewa, Aiea, Waialua, and Waianae plantations followedin 1903, and Waimanalo plantation in 1904. All major plantations onthe other islands also rendered similar assistance, either through the grantof rent-free lands or monetary subsidies. Such subsidies and assistancecontinued until the 1920 plantations strike.” 38 In general, the plantationowners’ faith in the initial comforting aspect was well-placed. For instance,in Waialua, “the partnership [between the Waialua Sugar Company andthe Japanese workers] has been mutually beneficial because the Buddhistvirtues of patience, thrift, industry, loyalty, and courtesy, provided goodworkers for the plantation. The Waialua Agricultural Co., Ltd., providedlease-free land where the temple, classrooms, and minister’s residencewere built.” 39Jødo Shinsh¥ was extremely popular among the Japanese for manyreasons. This religion was given to the Japanese and was able to keep itsadherents by adapting itself to any new situation which was demanded. Asone scholar noted, “This Shinsh¥ of the Jødo Buddhism has a vitality whichis rather unique among the rest of the Buddhist sects in Japan. Unhamperedby any metaphysical or ceremonial systems, it seems to be able to adjustitself to the great changes—political, economical, and social—...and tocontinue its comparatively strong hold upon the people of this generation.”40 Interestingly enough, Jødo in Haleiwa in 1912 was founded byReverend Murayama among the Chinese residents. 41Buddhism received a strong acceptance of legitimacy when QueenLiliuokalani attended the Birth Ceremony of the Buddha on May 19,1901. Her attendance caused a tremendous amount of interest in Buddhismand her participation was reported throughout the world. It wasan unprecedented event in that a non-Japanese had participated in aJapanese group activity. 42By 1920, the Census recorded a hundred ten thousand Japanese out ofthe total population of two hundred fifty thousand in the islands. Fourdaily Japanese language newspapers and more than eighty Buddhisttemples and Shintø shrines were now located in Hawaii. 43 These numbersboth encouraged and unnerved the larger population, especially the leadersin the islands who were concerned over the large Japanese minoritypopulation. These facts brought two big changes in the immigrant’s way oflife in Hawaii. First, once they left the plantations, a variety of jobs, both inthe city and on the farms, was more available. 44 Second, they were nolonger looking at Hawaii as a temporary home to earn money but rather asa place to live and raise families. As a result, as early as 1909, they were no