Religion

Fijian authorities say they are in the process of deporting six leaders of a South Korean religious sect. Hundreds of followers moved to the Pacific nation a decade ago and built a thriving business empire. HPR’s Derrick Malama has more in the Pacific News Minute.

For centuries, the Hawaiian language thrived in the islands as an oral language, where chant and song were used to record history and share stories over generations. But once the language transitioned to written form following the arrival of American missionaries — it altered the future course of the Hawaiian language we commonly hear today. HPR’s Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi has this story.

The new guidance comes a little less than a year after the U.S. Supreme Court loosened rules for teachers and staff praying while on the job.

A measure in this year’s Legislature would require clergy to report child abuse or suspected abuse, even if the information is received during a sacramental confession.

A group is hosting vigils outside of an O’ahu prison during Lent because they can’t get the OK to go inside. Staffing shortages over the years have presented the need to prioritize security over some other nonessential services, including chapel. HPR’s Sabrina Bodon reports on how this came to be.

With over 30 temples and several schools across the state, the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaiʻi is home to the Jodo Shinshu Buddhism tradition here in the islands. The Conversation sat down with the head of the mission, Bishop Eric Matsumoto, to learn how they’ve adapted to the pandemic.

Kawaiahaʻo Church was established in 1820 and soon became the primary place of worship for Hawaiian royalty, but many of the church’s records remained in filing cabinets in the basement.

We move for exercise or performance, maybe, but humans of the past hammered on drums, stomped the ground, and moved their bodies to get in touch with primal energies. Steve Backinoff still does that. And he’s not alone.

Artist Mayumi Oda has an international reputation for exuberant, nature-filled paintings and prints. She lives now in Kealakekua on Hawaiʻi Island, a place she chose for its starry night sky. She offers daily meditation as the key to spiritual contentment.

A Shinto shrine has provided downtown Honolulu with small slice of tranquility for more than a century. The Izumo Taishakyo Mission is celebrating its 110…