ABOUT US

The  Jr. YBA was first established in the state of Hawai'i in 1957.  The Jr. YBA was separated from the original Young Buddhists Association (YBA), which had begun in the 1930s, at the 24th Territorial YBA Convention.  For the past 63 years, we have focused on not only helping our temples and sanghas but as well as the rest of our communities.  We strive to be a place where young Buddhists can embrace themselves and their religion and create bonds that will last a lifetime.

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"Jr. Young Buddhist Association (Jr. YBA) is a place where everyone is able to be who they are without the worry of judgment from other people. We are able to make the best memories and have the most genuine laughs with each other, feeling a different bond. Through being a minority religion, we are able to connect to others who share many of the same beliefs, morals, and values in a different way. Even though the few days at camps or conventions, we are able to open up and develop a sense of trust with people who become more than life long friends, but family."

In Gassho,

Lauren Kana Suzuki (2020 - 2021 Hawaii Federation Jr. YBAs President)

Our Officers and Advisor

Lauren Kana Suzuki

Federation President

Thank you for allowing me to be this year's Jr. YBA President! I look forward to being able to make a change and give back to this organization that has helped me so much over the past years. I will do my best to provide the same experiences to others and grow and strengthen our connections.

Manami Alspach

Federation Vice President

I am so excited to be on this years federation! The Jr. YBA has helped me escape my comfort zone and meet new people, whom I will never forget. Despite difficult times and not being able to connect and talk in person, let's so our best! Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay happy!  :)

Kokoro Yamazaki

Federation Secretary

Hey everyone! I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy during this pandemic. I’m so excited to work with everyone as your federation secretary :) I hope to see you all very soon. Make sure to wash your hands and wear a mask when ever you have to go out side! 

Jaimee Yokoyama

Federation Teasurer

Joy Wasai Nishida

Federation Advisor

Hi I’m Jaimee and I’ll be your Federation Secretary for this coming year. I am from Maui United and am a sophomore at King Keakaulike. I hope I get to meet every one of you and I hope to see you all in person soon!