by the Pacific Zone team
Tell us briefly about your zone’s history. Pacific Zone spans a wide and uniquely ocean-based geography, linking the Hawaiian Islands with Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands across thousands of miles of the Pacific Ocean.
Our zone was established on July 15, 2007, and holds a deep and enduring history connected to Ikeda Sensei. He visited Hawaii a total of 19 times, beginning with his very first overseas trip on Oct. 2, 1960. In addition, Sensei founded the Soka Gakkai International on the island of Guam on Jan. 26, 1975. These milestones form the eternal history and pride of the Pacific Zone and its profound bond with Sensei.
Despite spanning nearly half the Pacific Ocean, members across Hawaii, Guam and the Marianas are united by a strong sense of ohana (family) and shared mission.
Do you have Buddhist Centers in your zone? Yes, we have five Buddhist centers that serve as vital hubs for faith, culture and community. These include the SGI-USA Hawaii Culture Center, Makaha Buddhist Center, Hilo Buddhist Center, Maui Buddhist Center and the SGI Guam Ikeda Peace & Culture Center, each playing an important role in supporting members and advancing kosen-rufu throughout the zone.
Does your zone have a particular point of pride? In advance of his final visit to Hawaii in 1995, Sensei sent a message titled “To the Heroes of World Kosen-rufu” to those who work tirelessly behind the scenes in service to others. Prior to his arrival, this heartfelt message was engraved on a monument outside the Hawaii Culture Center. Upon arriving at the center, Sensei paused before the monument and chanted daimoku three times. In this message, he wrote:
Resolutely protecting the children of the Buddha, you respect and cherish each friend. You welcome members with fresh, embracing smiles, while moving purposefully in the spirit of service. Instilling courage and hope in all those you encounter, you are the proud and dedicated global members of the Soka Group, Gajokai, Byakuren, Drivers Group, Security Group, Women’s Division Nurses Group and Stage Crew. Comrades of the world united by a common purpose!
Sincere action on behalf of the common people—this is a requirement for all leaders of a “people’s religion.” My young friends, who challenge the erroneous and resolutely advance upon the majestic path of justice. You are the flagbearers of religious reform and world peace! On your sublime faces the new century of humanity shines. The brilliant sun of global kosen-rufu has risen and a new stage has opened before us. In celebration of this glorious dawn, I set down this monument here in this paradise of peace, the land of Hawaii, for my beloved youth—courageous champions of worldwide kosen-rufu. With this, I honor your noble labors and pray for your eternal happiness and victorious lives from the depths of my heart.
January 26, 1995
Daisaku Ikeda
President
Soka Gakkai International
What is your prime point with Sensei as a zone? Our prime point with Sensei is to fulfill Hawaii’s unique mission in advancing kosen-rufu and world peace. As he emphasized:
“Hawaii is a place of geographic importance for the worldwide propagation of Nichiren Buddhism,” Shin’ichi continued.[1]
“It will also shine forever in the annals of kosen-rufu as the place from which the first step in the Soka Gakkai’s global journey for world peace was taken. For this reason and for the sake of the future, I especially wish to create a district here in Hawaii.” (The New Human Revolution, vol. 1, revised edition, p. 52)
Do you have something that is unique to your zone? Guam is a full 20 hours ahead of Hawaii, making ours by far the longest “day” in the SGI. First sunrise is over the Marianas Islands, while sundown is, at last, in Hawaii.
What is your zone’s vision toward 2030? Unity, unity, unity! Our vision is to joyfully respond to Sensei and win together as one Pacific Zone ohana, advancing kosen-rufu with shared purpose and momentum. United in heart, we are committed to making steady, joyful progress in four key areas: strengthening publications, sustaining contributions, expanding shakubuku and increasing district discussion meeting attendance—so that every member can shine and every community can thrive.
Anything else you’d like to add? In 2025, we proudly increased attendance at our November general meetings by 12% over the previous year. Together, members joyfully encouraged friends and family to participate in their local district meetings, creating a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere throughout the zone.
We also saw strong participation in the 2025 Intermediate Exam. Despite torrential downpours across the Hawaiian Islands, leaders and members wholeheartedly challenged themselves and supported one another, ensuring broad participation and deepening their faith through Buddhist study.
Looking ahead to 2026, we are determined to further increase discussion meeting attendance throughout the year—especially among our youth. By fostering and strengthening the mentor and disciple spirit with Sensei’s timeless guidance at the forefront, we will continue advancing together as the Pacific Zone ohana, nurturing capable youth who will lead the future of kosen-rufu!
January 9, 2026 World Tribune, p. 10
References
- In the novel The New Human Revolution, Ikeda Sensei appears as Shin’ichi Yamamoto. ↩︎
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