KAPAIA — Lihu‘e Hongwanji Mission will be celebrating Obon this year for the first time since 2019.
Adding to the excitement of the long-lost community celebration and festivities, the Lihu‘e Hongwanji is offering a limited amount of Honoring Ancestors lanterns that will be hung around the temple for a few days leading up to, and following the temple’s obon, or Bon Dance that is scheduled for July 7 and 8.
“This is the first time we’re doing this,” said Gail Shibuya, the bon dance chair. “We borrowed a page out of Kaua‘i Hospice, and are doing it during obon when we remember and honor all those who have passed on before us.”
There is a deadline of July 2 to order remembrance ribbons that will be placed on the lanterns and displayed on the temple’s lanai. Once obon passes, the church will retain the lanterns. For those wishing to keep the ribbons, call the temple at 808-245-6262, or email lihuehongwanjimission@gmail.com for arrangements on picking up the ribbons.
Forms for ordering the lanterns are available by calling the temple’s office, visiting the website at www.lihuehongwanji.org, or simply visiting the temple and picking up a form from the bulletin board located left of the temple’s entrance.
The annual Bon and Hatsubon Family Service will take place July 2 starting a 9 a.m. at the Lihu‘e Hongwanji temple in Kapaia. The bon dances featuring food, dances, music and a country store will take place July 7 and 8.
Dinner plates will be open from 5 p.m., and the food booths featuring andagi, shave ice, flying saucers, and pronto pups. The country store opens at 6 p.m. The bon dances start at 7:30 p.m.
A limited number of off-site parking will be available at the Wilcox Health Center where the shuttle service will be available from 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. each night. Look for the tent and lights for the shuttle pick up and drop-off for the parking location.
Retired minister Rev. Patti Usuki said in a Lihu‘e Hongwanji Mission newsletter that “every summer, people of all ages and religious backgrounds come together all over Hawai‘i for obon to celebrate being alive, and honor those who have passed on.
This Buddhist observance came to Hawai‘i in the late 19th century with a large wave of Japanese immigrants.”
“Obon season is a time to express our gratitude to loved ones who have passed on before us,” Usuki said. “Without them, we would not be who we are today. We would not be where we are, and we would not be able to do the things we do to enjoy life.”
Following a short Buddhist reflection before the dancing starts, everyone is encouraged to join in with the dancers as they circle around the yagura garbed in yukata or happi coats.
“It doesn’t matter whether you are Buddhist or not, whether you are new to Bon odori or whether you have ‘two left feet,’” Usuki said. “The important thing is to leave your ego behind and simply express your joy and gratitude for life through the dance.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
