Note: Though we included some temple updates below, generally, we have tried not to duplicate the information we already printed in this “Obon Events” section of the past three Herald issues.
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To confirm the most current plans, we recommend checking with your temple’s website, social media, newsletter, office or recent email messages — as many organizations’ plans for these events have evolved regularly. Also, services may be for temple members only, or you may have to register to attend. So confirm the modality (in-person, virtual or hybrid), social-distancing and event-capacity rules and other temple instructions before participating.
If your temple or organization is holding obon events in late July onward, please email the information to thehawaiiherald@gmail.com; though we will not run this special section from next issue onward, we will try to include that information in other Herald sections or in our social media.
EVENTS SET TO RUN
HAWAI‘I ISLAND
Hakalau Jodo Mission [(808) 963-6110]
Bon dance canceled.
Monday, Aug. 16, to Friday, Aug. 20:
- Private hatsubon service and otoba prayer will be available.
- Contact temple or contact Rev. Miyazaki [(808) 936-7828 cell; gonqi326@hotmail.com].
Saturday, Aug. 21, 1 p.m.: Obon service.
- Prior to service, otoba is available to order with a $10 donation, at: hakalauhome.com/newsletter-july-2021.html.
Hamakua Jodo Mission [(808) 775-0965]
Bon dance canceled (tentative).
Sunday, Aug. 15, 10 a.m.: Obon graveyard service.
- 11 a.m.: Obon service with otoba prayer.
- Follow COVID-19 protocols (e.g., social distancing), regardless of your vaccination status (due to the many elderly congregants).
Beautiful HJM postcard fundraiser:
- See hamakuajodomission.org/postcard-fundraiser (email contact@hamakuajodomission.org for information).
Hawi Jodo Mission [(808) 889-5591]
Saturday, Aug. 7, 9 a.m.: Obon graveyard service.
- 10 a.m.: Hatsubon service with otoba prayer.
Hilo Hooganji Mission [(808) 935-8331]
Saturday, July 24: 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.: Hatsubon and obon service (in-person).
Honomu Henjoji Mission [(808) 963-6308]
Sunday, July 18, 9 a.m.: Hatsubon and obon service
- (in-person and livestreaming on both youtube.com/channel/UCJmsiYMzOALpd3jypuuUMBA and facebook.com/Honomu-Henjoji-Mission-A-Shingon-Buddhist-Temple-272743649553053).
Kona Koyasan Daishiji Mission [(808) 324-1741]
Sunday, Aug. 15, 1 p.m.: Obon service.
Kurtistown Jodo Mission [(808) 966-9777]
Bon dance canceled.
Saturday, Aug. 7: Obon service.
Monday, Aug. 2 to Friday, Aug. 6: Private hatsubon service and otoba prayer available.
Paauilo Kongonji Mission [(808) 776-1474]
Saturday, Aug. 7, 1 p.m.: Obon service, both in-person and livestreaming on facebook.com/pages/category/Church/Paauilo-Hongwanji-Mission-2159315211049324 and the temple’s YouTube.
Rev. Nakade and a Dharma message was given by Rev. Hata. (Screenshot from Kona Daifukuji Facebook page)
KAUA‘I
Kapa‘a Jodo Mission [(808) 822-4319]
Bon dance canceled (in-person).
Virtual toro nagashi and virtual bon dance. TBA.
Saturday, July 17, 9 a.m.: Hatsubon service.
Sunday, July 25, 10:30 a.m.: Obon service with otoba prayer.
Private services and Zoom Live services are available by appointment.
Waimea Shingon Mission [(808) 338-1854]
Bon dance canceled.
Saturday, July 24, 9 a.m.: Hatsubon service.
Sunday, July 25, 9 a.m.: Obon service.
Services offered both in-person and livestreaming via facebook.com/w.shingonji and youtube.com/channel/UCKnzL-BIsUcQEefdQ2K3EaA.
MAUI
Kahului Hongwanji Mission [(808) 871-4732]
Bon dance canceled (in-person).
Saturday, July 17, 10 a.m. & 4 p.m.: In-person hatsubon at the temple (reservations only).
Saturday, July 24, 10 a.m. & 4 p.m.: In-person hatsubon at the temple (reservations only).
Sunday, July 25, 9 a.m.:
- Obon major service in memory of all departed loved ones.In-person in the temple, open to all (however, space is limited, so please call to let the temple know you are coming).
YouTube video service will also be available.
For all in-person services, social distancing is mandated and masks are required.
O‘AHU
Haleiwa Jodo Mission [(808) 637-4382]
Virtual obon service, toro nagashi and bon dance (TBA).
Call temple or check Facebook page for updates.
Haleiwa Shingon Mission Koshoji [(808) 637-4423]
Friday, July 10, 6 p.m.: Obon service.
Saturday, July 11, 6:00 p.m.: Obon service.
Pearl City Hongwanji Mission [(808) 455-1680]
Saturday, Aug. 14, time TBA: Virtual bon dance.
No public obon service.
Waialua Hongwanji Mission [(808) 637-4395]
Bon dance canceled.
Tuesday, Aug. 10, 10 a.m.: Bon service.
BON DANCE CANCELLATIONS
Lahaina Hongwanji Mission [(808) 661-0640]
Obon Festival canceled.
Waipahu Hongwanji Mission [(808) 677-4221]
No public bon dance; no public obon service.
2021 OBON SERVICE AND CELEBRATION MEDIA
Kona Daifukuji
Rev. Jiko Nakada of Kona Daifujuki hosted a Saturday, June 27, obon service by Rev. Shinsho Hata of Hilo Taishoji Soto Mission:
Mö‘ili‘ili Hongwanji Buddhist Temple
The temple held a Saturday, July 3, virtual obon service with video clips from earlier bon dances, viewable at youtube.com/watch?v=5CVcuHtUakQ
Jikoen Hongwanji Mission
Watch the temple’s inspiring “Spirit of Obon” slideshow, posted to its social media on Thursday, July 8:
facebook.com/JikoenHongwanji/photos/pcb.6262439813796694/6262435223797153/?type=3&theater.
You can still order chöchin and/or memorial ribbons for a $20 donation each, until Saturday, July 24: see contact info on facebook.com/JikoenHongwanji.
Puna Hongwanji Mission
On 4th of July in the temple’s Sunday Service, Rev. Satoshi Ka‘imipono Tomioka shared “M & M” (“Mosquito and Me”), an amusing Dharma Message about an hour into this clip:
youtube.com/watch?v=YskWRH4d4AI.
Not directly obon-themed, but his talk introduces basic tenets of Buddhism for family audiences in a humorous way.
Mahalo to all the Buddhist organizations’ ministers, staff and members who helped put our obon-season schedule together during this hard-to-predict summer! With luck, next May we will again print our regular Herald insert of relatively unchanging bon-dance and -service schedules.
May we be in a safer, healthier place as a community!
– In Gasshö, Hawai‘i Herald staff
