The Obon season perpetuates the Buddhist tradition of honoring family ancestors, who are said to return to the mortal world to visit relatives during the festival. The colorful bon dances, featuring taiko drums, food booths, games and other activities, have become a must-do cultural event for residents and visitors alike, regardless of religious affiliation.
CORRECTION
The bon dance at the Kona Hongwanji will be on July 27. An earlier version of this story and the story on May 27 had an incorrect date.
OAHU
Hawaii State Library
10 a.m. June 1 on the library’s Great Lawn. Features a taiko performance and dancing by Omiya Minbu Kai and Waipahu Soto Mission’s bon dance class. Public participation welcome. Call 586-3499.
Hawaii’s Plantation Village
6 p.m. June 1, 94-695 Waipahu St.; Buddhist Sangwa ceremony at 4 p.m.; food booths open at 5 p.m. Call 677-0110 or visit www.hawaiiplantationvillage.org.
Wahiawa Hongwanji
7 p.m. June 21-22, 1067 California Ave.; service at 6 p.m. June 21. Call 622-4320.
Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin
6:30 p.m. June 28-29, 1727 Pali Highway; services at 6:15 p.m. both nights. Additional parking at Hongwanji Mission and Kawananakoa Middle schools. Call 536-7044 or email hibetsuin@hawaii.rr.com.
Moiliili Hongwanji Mission
6 to 10:30 p.m. July 5 and 5 to 10:30 p.m. July 6, old Varsity Theatre parking lot, 1100 University Ave. The July 6 event will be held in conjunction with the Moiliili Summer Fest, consisting of a mixture of dancing, bands, vendors and activities. Call 949-1659 or visit www.moiliilihongwanji.org.
Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji
6:30 to 10 p.m. July 6, 45-520 Keaahala Road; service at 6 p.m. Call 247-2661.
Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Church of Hawaii
6:30 to 9:30 p.m. July 12-13, 2280 Auhuhu St., Pearl City; food sales begin 6 p.m. Call 455-3212.
Waipahu Hongwanji
7 to 10 p.m. July 12-13, 94-821 Kuhaulua St.; service at 6 p.m. both nights. Call 677-4221.
Koboji Shingon Mission
7 to 10:30 p.m. July 12-13, 1223-B N. School St.; service at 4 p.m. July 13. Additional parking at Damien Memorial High School. Call 841-7033.
Shinshu Kyokai Mission
7 to 10:30 p.m. July 12-13, 1631 S. Beretania St.; 6:30 p.m. services both nights. (Bon dance practice, 7 to 9 p.m. July 9.) Call 973-0150 or visit www.shinshukyokai.org.
Haleiwa Shingon Mission
7:30 p.m. July 12-13, 66-469 Paalaa Road; services at 6:30 p.m. both nights. (Bon dance practice, 7 p.m. July 2.) Call 637-4423.
Jikoen Hongwanji Mission
6 to 9:30 p.m. July 19-20, 1731 N. School St. Additional parking at Kapalama Elementary School. Call 845-3422.
Wahiawa Ryusenji Soto Mission
7:30 to 10:30 p.m. July 19-20, 164 California Ave. Call 622-1429.
Waianae Hongwanji
7 p.m. July 20, 85-762 Old Government Road. Call 677-4221.
Higashi Hongwanji Betsuin
7 p.m. July 26-27, 1685 Alaneo St.; services at 6:30 p.m. both nights. Call 531-9088.
Haleiwa Jodo Mission
8 to 10 p.m. July 26 and 8 to 11 p.m. July 27, 66-279-A Haleiwa Road; services at 6:30 p.m. both nights. Floating lantern service at 9 p.m. July 27. Call 637-4382.
Palolo Hongwanji
7:30 p.m. Aug. 2-3, 1641 Palolo Ave.; services at 7 p.m. both nights. Call 732-1491.
Waipahu Soto Zen Temple Taiyoji
7 to 10 p.m. Aug. 2-3, 94-413 Waipahu St. Call 671-3103.
Waialua Hongwanji
7 p.m. Aug. 3, 67-313 Kealohanui St.; service at 6 p.m. Call 637-4395.
Koganji Temple
5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Aug. 9-10, 2869 Oahu Ave. Children’s lantern parade 5:30 p.m. Aug. 9 only, with performances by Ryusei Taiko at 8:30 p.m. both nights. Call 988-4905 or see www.koganjitemple.org.
Pearl City Hongwanji Mission
7 p.m. Aug. 9-10, 858 2nd St.; services at 5:45 p.m. both nights. Call 455-1680.
Shingon Shu Hawaii
7 to 11 p.m. Aug. 9-10, 915 Sheridan St., with children’s games; services at 6:30 p.m. both nights. Call 941-5663.
Soto Mission of Aiea Taiheiji
7 to 10:30 p.m. Aug. 9 and 10, 99-045 Kauhale St; food booths open 5:30 p.m. and taiko performances begin 6:30 p.m. Okinawan bon dance at 9 p.m. Aug. 10 only. (Bon dance practices, 7 to 8:30 p.m. July 30 and Aug. 6.) Call 488-6794 or email taiheiji@hawaii.rr.com.
Jodo Mission of Hawaii
6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Aug. 16-17, 1429 Makiki St. Call 949-3995.
Mililani Hongwanji
7 p.m. Aug. 16-17, 95-257 Kaloapau St.; food booths open 6 p.m. both nights, with lantern parade at 6:45 p.m. Aug. 16 only. Call 625-0925 or see www.mililanihongwanji.org.
Soto Mission of Hawaii
7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Aug. 16-17, 1708 Nuuanu Ave.; services at 7:15 p.m. both nights. Call 537-9409.
Nichiren Mission of Hawaii
5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Aug. 24, 33 Pulelehua Way. Call 595-3517.
The Kapahulu Center
6 p.m. Aug. 24, 3410 Campbell Ave.; keiki games, food and craft sales begin 4 p.m. Call 737-1748 or email kapcenter@yahoo.com.
Aiea Hongwanji
7 p.m. Aug. 24, 99-186 Puakala St.; service at 6 p.m. Call 487-2626.
Hawaii United Okinawa Association
5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Aug. 31, Kapiolani Park (next to Waikiki Shell), 3840 Paki Ave.; and Autumn Dance Matsuri, 5 to 9:30 p.m. Sept. 21, Hawaii Okinawa Center, 94-587 Ukee St., Waipahu. Call 676-5400.
HAWAII ISLAND
Honomu Henjoji Mission:
7 p.m. June 15, 28-1668 Old Mamalahoa Highway; service at 5 p.m. Call 963-6308.
Papaikou Hongwanji Mission
7 p.m. June 22, 27-378 Old Mamalahoa Highway; service at 6 p.m. Call 964-1640.
Kona Hongwanji Mission
7 p.m. July 27, 81-6630 Mamalahoa Highway; lantern parade at 6:30 p.m. Call 323-2993.
Honomu Hongwanji Mission
7 p.m. June 29, 28-1658 Old Mamalahoa Highway; service at 6 p.m. Call 963-6032.
Puna Hongwanji Mission
7 p.m. July 5-6, 16-592 Old Volcano Road, Keaau; services at 6 p.m. both nights. A Tanabata Festival will be held 2 to 6 p.m. July 6, with arts and crafts, family activities and more. Call 966-9981.
Kohala Hongwanji Mission
7 p.m. July 6, 55-4300 Akoni Pule Place, Kapaau; service at 6 p.m. Call 775-7232.
Hilo Meishoin
7:30 p.m. July 12 and 8 p.m. July 13 with a service at 7 p.m., 97 Olona St. Call 935-6996.
Kona Daifukuji Soto Mission
6:30 to 10 p.m. July 13, 79-7241 Mamalahoa Highway; service at 6 p.m. Call 322-3524.
Kohala Jodo Mission
7 p.m. July 13, Kapaau; service at 6 p.m. Call 775-0965.
Paauilo Hongwanji Mission
7 p.m. July 13, 43-1477 Hauola Road; service at 6 p.m. Call 775-7232.
Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin
7 p.m. July 19-20, 398 Kilauea Ave.; service at 6 p.m. both nights. Call 961-6677.
Honokaa Hongwanji Mission
7 p.m. July 20, 45-516 Lehua St.; service at 6 p.m. Call 775-7232.
Papaaloa Hongwanji Mission
6 p.m. July 27; service at 5 p.m. Call 962-6340.
Hilo Hooganji Mission
7:30 p.m. July 27, 457 Manono St.; service at 6 p.m. Call 935-8331.
Hawi Jodo Mission
7 p.m. Aug. 3, 55-1104 Akoni Pule Highway; service at 5:30 p.m. Call 775-0965.
Paauilo Kongoji Mission
7 p.m. Aug. 3, 43-1461 Hauola Road; service at 5 p.m. Call 963-6308.
Taishoji Soto Mission
7:30 p.m. Aug. 3, 275 Kinoole St., Hilo; service at 7 p.m. Call 935-8407.
Kurtistown Jodo Mission
8 p.m. Aug. 3; service at 7 p.m. Call 935-6996.
Hamakua Jodo Mission
7 p.m. Aug. 10 in Honokaa; service at 6 p.m. Call 775-0965.
Kona Koyasan Daishiji Mission
7 p.m. Aug. 10, 76-5945 Mamalahoa Highway, Holualoa; service at 5 p.m. Call 324-1741.
Hilo Higashi Hongwanji Mission
8 to 11 p.m. Aug. 10, 216 Mohouli St.; service at 7 p.m. Call 935-8968.
Life Care Center of Hilo
6 p.m. Aug. 16, 944 W. Kawailani St. Call 959-9151.
Kamuela Hongwanji Mission
7 p.m. Aug. 17, 65-1110 Mamalahoa Highway; service at 6 p.m. Call 775-7232.
Hakalau Jodo Mission
8 p.m. Aug. 17; service at 7 p.m. Call 935-6996.
Honohina Hongwanji Mission
7 p.m. Aug. 31 in Ninole; service at 6 p.m. Call 963-6032.
KAUAI
West Kauai Hongwanji, Waimea Temple
7:30 p.m. June 7-8; services at 6 p.m., columbarium services at 7 p.m., both nights. Call 245-6262.
Kapaa Hongwanji Mission
7:30 p.m. June 14-15, 4-1170 Kuhio Highway; service at 6 p.m. June 14 only. Call 822-4667.
Waimea Higashi Hongwanji
7:30 p.m. June 22-23; services at 6:30 p.m. June 22 and 7 p.m. June 23. Call 338-1847.
Kauai Soto Zen Temple Zenshuji
7 p.m. June 28-29, 1-3500 Kaumualii Highway, Hanapepe; services at 6 p.m. both nights. Call 335-3521.
Koloa Jodo Mission
7:30 p.m. July 5-6, 3480 Waikomo Road. Call 742-6735.
West Kauai Hongwanji, Hanapepe Temple
7:30 p.m. July 12-13, 1-3860 Kaumualii Highway; services at 6 p.m., columbarium services at 7 p.m., both nights. Call 338-1537.
Lihue Hongwanji Mission
7:30 p.m. July 19-20 in Kapaia on Kuhio Highway; services at 5:30 p.m., columbarium services at 6:30 p.m., both nights. Call 245-6262.
Kapaa Jodo Mission
7:30 p.m. Aug. 2-3, 4524 Hauaala Road. Call 822-4319.
MAUI
Lahaina Shingon Mission
7:30 p.m. June 1, 682 Luakini St.; service at 6:30 p.m. Call 661-0466.
Wailuku Shingon Mission
8 p.m. June 15, 1939 North St.; service at 6:30 p.m. Call 244-3800.
Puunene Nichiren Mission
8 p.m. June 22, 9 Ani St.; service at 7 p.m. Call 871-4831.
Wailuku Jodo Mission
8 p.m. June 28, 67 Central Ave.; service at 7 p.m. Call 244-0066.
Lahaina Jodo Mission
8 p.m. July 6, 12 Ala Moana St.; service at 6:30 p.m. Call 661-4304.
Mantokuji Soto Mission of Paia
8 p.m. July 12-13, 253 Hana Highway; services at 6 p.m. both nights. Call 579-8051.
Kahului Hongwanji
7:30 p.m. July 19-20, 291 S. Puunene Ave., with food booths at 5:30 p.m. and services at 6:30 p.m. both nights. Call 871-4732.
Makawao Hongwanji Mission
7:30 p.m. July 26-27, 1074 Makawao Ave.; services at 6:30 p.m. both nights. Call 572-7229.
Wailuku Hongwanji Mission
8 p.m. Aug. 2-3, 1828 Vineyard St.; services at 7 p.m. both nights. Call 244-0406.
Kahului Jodo Mission
8 p.m. Aug. 10, 325 Laau St.; service at 7 p.m. Call 871-4911.
Paia Rinzai Zen Mission
7 p.m. Aug. 17, 120 Alawai Road; service at 6 p.m. Call 268-2209.
Lahaina Hongwanji Mission
7:30 p.m. Aug. 23-24, 551 Wainee St.; services at 6:30 p.m. both nights. Call 661-0640.
Kula Shofukuji Shingon Mission
7:30 p.m. Aug. 31, 53 Upper Kula Road; service at 6:30 p.m. Call 661-0466.
MOLOKAI
Guzeiji Soto Mission of Molokai
6 p.m. July 27, 90 Hotel Lane, Kaunakakai; service at 5 p.m. Call 553-5197.