OBON EVENTS 411 – HOW TO OBON IN A PANDEMIC

We came, we saw, we (mostly) avoided the coronavirus. Or at least that’s what Hawai‘i’s innovative Buddhist temples, and other island organizations, did for obon season last summer. A little over a year after...
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Community – Obon Schedule for July 2020

Around mid-April, The Hawaiʻi Herald starts calling Japanese Buddhist temples and community organizations across the state. And this issue would normally include a four-page pull-out section filled with information including Hatsubon and obon services, Töro nagashi (lantern floating) and bon dance festivals. Regrettably, this is the first summer in decades that the schedule seems up....
Bon dance festival 2019 at Hawaii's Plantation Village. (Photo by Wayne Shinbara)

Community – Ever-Evolving 2020 Statewide Obon Schedule

Around mid-April, The Hawai‘i Herald starts calling Japanese Buddhist temples and community organizations across the state. And this issue would normally include a four-page pull-out section filled with information including Hatsubon and obon services, Töro nagashi (lantern floating) and bon dance festivals. Regretfully, this is the first summer in decades that the schedule seems up....
After a 10-year absence, Naalehu Hongwanji Mission on Hawai‘i Island opened its doors to the public last Aug. 31 and observed obon with a bon dance. Members of Hongwanji’s Hilo, Pahala, Kona and Kohala temples, along with Kona Jr. YBA members, helped the Naalehu Hongwanji members set up the grounds and also participated in the festival to welcome home the spirits of deceased loved ones . . . even in the pouring rain!

Big Island Community Focus – Bon Dance Returns to Naalehu Hongwanji Mission

To see all photos from this year's event, please subscribe to the Hawaii Herald!
Diehard bon dance enthusiasts got an early start on the evening, dancing to recorded music before the sun had set and the live musicians had arrived.

In Our Community – Haleiwa Jodo Mission Obon Festival

To see all the photos from this year's Haleiwa Jodo Mission Obon Festival subscribe to our online or print edition today!
Jane Heit has a busy summer ahead, attending nearly all of the Big Island’s bon dances. She’s also squeezing in a quick trip to Japan in August to take in several summer festivals.

Lead Story – The Big Island Bon Dance Queen

Jane Heit and Tsukikage Odorikai are Helping to Re-energize Big Island Bon Dances Arnold Hiura Special to The Hawai‘i Herald A persistent rain dampened the start of the bon dance at the Honomu Henjoji temple on June 15 — and no amount of prayerful looks at the darkening sky would make it go away. Led....
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Hawaii Island Community Focus – Hilo Higashi Hongwanji Mission Bon Dance Set For Aug....

In The Hawai‘i Herald’s May 17 edition featuring the statewide bon dance schedule, we inadvertently failed to include information on Hilo Higashi Hongwanji Mission’s obon activities. Hilo Higashi Hongwanji Mission will hold its bon dance on Saturday, Aug. 10, at its temple at 216 Mohouli St.
Hawaii Eisa Shinyu Kai taiko drummers in full swing.

Community – Bon Dance Season Kicks Off in Waipahu

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Higashi Hongwanji Mission.

2019 Bon Dance Schedule

BIG ISLAND June 7 (Sat.): Obon Festival at Keauhou Shopping Center (Kona Hongwanji), 6 p.m.; food booths available (78-6831 Ali‘i Dr., 323-2993) June 15 (Sat.): Honomu Henjyoji Mission, 7 p.m.; Hatsubon and Obon service at 5...
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Community Focus – Bon Dances Schedule Corrections

The following are corrections to the Bon dance schedule that was published in the May 18, 2018, edition of The Hawai‘i Herald. We apologize for any inconvenience the errors may have caused. BIG ISLAND • July 21 (Sat.): Honokaa Hongwanji bon dance will begin at 7 p.m., following the 5:30 obon service.

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