Lihue Hongwanji bon dances start Friday

LIHUE — Shaku Arthur Kaufmann and the membership of the Lihue Hongwanji Mission invite the public to its bon dances Friday and Saturday at its temple located on Kuhio Highway at the bottom of the hill in Kapaia.

As part of the Kauai Buddhist Council calendar of bon dances, this is the fourth event for this year, and the first one to be taking place in Lihue.

Door-to-dinner plate sales begin at 5 p.m. on both nights, and the country store and food booths open at 6 p.m. Additionally, the fish pond and children’s game stations open at 6 p.m.

“The Lihue Hongwanji Mission will not be selling maki, or rolled sushi, this year,” said Gail Shibuya, the bon dance co-chair. “This is because of the Department of Health food regulations. We will, however, be selling inari, or cone sushi, and also barazushi, or the mixed sushi rice.”

Other food booth menu items include the flying saucers, pronto pup, saimin, barbeque beef, chicken yakitori, andagi and shave ice.

Kaufmann will officiate over special columbarium services in the temple starting at 6:30 p.m., and the traditional bon dancing starts at 7:30 p.m.

•••

Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 ordfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.