Paia Old and New

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There is an interesting article on one of Paia’s landmarks in today’s Maui News. The Mantokuji Mission celebrated 100 years this weekend. The Soto Zen Buddhist mission was founded on November 7, 1906 at a site near the current Paia fire station. In 1921, construction began at its current location. The article delves in to the history of the temple including accounts from older members of the church. The mission has been through a lot in its many years including the internment of its minister during World War II and a 1951 Tsunami that damaged the minister’s residence and removed gravestones. Church members, friends and guests from Japan were onhand for this weekend’s activities.

When I was reading the article, I decided to Google Mantokuji Mission to see if I could find more information on Paia’s landmark temple. In the process, I found an entertaining article on Paia in the early 1980s. This was a period well after Paia’s sugar cane heyday, hippies had been established in these parts for ten years or more and windsurfers had yet to discover Maui’s North Shore. Maui was still a sleepy town where dogs slept safely in the middle of the road. Its amazing to see some of the changes that have occured over the last twenty five years.

One of Maui’s most recent additions, the Flatbread Company is hosting its community night tommorow. Held every Tuesday, Flatbread donates $3.50 for every pizza sold to a local charity. Tomorrow night’s featured charity is the Paia Youth and Cultural Center. The Youth Center or PYCC is a place for the youth of the North Shore to play and learn. It offers activities like the Stone Wave Skate Park, a Media Center, the Paia Bay Cafe, its brand new radio station KOPO 89.5 and more! If you are in Paia tomorrow night, stop by Flatbread for some great food for a good cause!

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