Taiko and Kimono





By George F. Lee, Star-Bulletin
The Obon season is under way. Music and dancing are key to
Obon events, which honor forebears and celebrate life. Above,
Nolan Miyahara of Hawaii Matsuri Taiko shows the intensity
of taiko drumming at Waipahu Cultural Garden Park.

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There are plenty of Obon
dances yet to come

By Star-Bulletin staff

The Obon season is officially under way.

The first festival of the season, at the Waipahu Cultural Garden Park, occurred this past weekend -- but there are many more opportunities to celebrate the cultural observance.

Music and dancing are key to Obon events, which honor the memories of forebears and celebrate life.

Here is a listing of Obon dances statewide:

By George F. Lee, Star-Bulletin
Festive lights are strung from the central platform
around which the dancers swirl.

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JUNE 21

Ewa Hongwanji Mission-Ewa, 91-1133 Renton Road: Dance at 8 to 11 p.m. Call 681-5222.

JUNE 27-28

Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin, 1727 Pali Highway: Dance both nights at 7 p.m. Call 536-7044.

Wahiawa Hongwanji Mission, 1067 California Ave.: Service at 6:30 p.m., dance both nights at 7:30 p.m. Call 622-4320.

By George F. Lee, Star-Bulletin
The obi is an important part of the kimono. Norma Sukita, left,
and Naomi Kitayama of the Yamada Dance Group are
dressed for the occasion.

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JULY 3-6

Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin, 1727 Pali Highway: English-speaking service at 7 p.m. July 5; on July 6, Japanese-speaking service at 7:30 a.m., followed by a combined English-speaking family service at 9:30 a.m., then a Japanese-speaking service at 1 p.m. Call 536-7044.

Jodo Mission of Hawaii, 1429 Makiki St.: service at 7 p.m. July 3-4; services at 2 and 7 p.m. July 5-6. Call 949-3995.

Kahuku Hongwanji Mission: service at 7:30 p.m. July 4 and dance at 8 p.m. July 5. Call 293-5268.

Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji Mission, 45-520 Keaahala Road: Hatsubon at 9 a.m. July 6. Call 247-2661.

Moiliili Hongwanji Mission, Moiliili Community Center grounds, 2535 S. King St.: Dance at 7:30 p.m. July 4-5. Call 949-1659.

JULY 11-13

Haleiwa Jodo Mission, 66-279A Haleiwa Road: Service at 6:30 p.m. and dance at 8 p.m. July 11-12. Call 637-4382.

Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, 1685 Alaneo St.: Service at 10 a.m. July 13. Call 531-9088.

Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji Mission, 45-520 Keaahala Road: Service at 7 p.m. followed by dance, July 11. Call 247-2661.

Moiliili Hongwanji Mission, 902 University Ave.: English-speaking service at 9 a.m. and Japanese-

speaking service at 10:30 a.m., July 13. Call 949-1659.

Nichiren Mission of Hawaii, 33 Pulelehua Way: Service at 10 a.m. July 13. Call 595-3517.

Rissho Kosei-Kai Hawaii Kyokai, 2280 Auhuhu St.: Service at 6 p.m. July 11, dance at 7:30 p.m. July 11-12.

Waipahu Hongwanji Mission, 94-821 Kuhaulua St.: Service at 7 p.m. and dance at 8 p.m. July 11-12. Call 677-4221.

By George F. Lee, Star-Bulletin
Enjoying the dance are, front, Richard Kotaka and
Betty Delacuesta from the Yamada Dance Group.

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JULY 18-20

Koboji Shingon Mission, 1223B N. School St.: Dance at 7 p.m. July 18-19; Hatsubon at 5 p.m. July 19; service at 9 a.m. July 20. Call 841-7033.

Jikoen Temple, 1731 N. School St.: Service at 9:30 a.m. July 20. Call 845-3422.

Waianae Hongwanji Mission, 85-762 Old Government Road: Service at 7:30 p.m. July 18; dance at 8 p.m. July 19. Call 696-3125.

JULY 25-26

Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, 1685 Alaneo St.: Dance at 7 p.m. July 25-26. Call 531-9088.

Kailua Hongwanji Temple, 30D Maluniu Ave.: Hatsubon at 7:30 p.m. July 25; dance at 7 p.m. July 26. Call 262-4560.

Pearl City Hongwanji Mission, 858 Second Ave.: Service at 6:45 p.m., dance at 8 p.m. July 25-26. Call 455-1680.

Wahiawa Ryusenji Soto Mission, 164 California Ave.: Service at 6:30 p.m., dance at 8 p.m., taiko performance by Hawaii Matsuri Taiko group, 8:45 p.m.; both nights. Call 622-1429.

By George F. Lee, Star-Bulletin
Myca Ferrer of the Hawaii Matsuri Taiko holds a bin sasara,
a Japanese percussive instrument.

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AUG. 1-2

Jikoen Temple, 1731 N. School St.: Dance at 7:30 p.m. Call 845-3422.

Waialua Hongwanji Mission, 67-313 Kealohanui St.: Service at 7 p.m. Aug. 1-2, dance at 8 p.m. Aug. 2. Call 637-4395.

Waipahu Soto Zen Temple Taiyoji: Service at 6 p.m. and dance at 7:30 p.m., Aug. 1-2. Call 671-3103.

AUG. 8-10

Koganji Temple, 2869 Oahu Ave.: Dance at 6 to 10:30 p.m., Aug. 8-9; a children's lantern parade will be held at 5:30 p.m. and food booths will open at 5 p.m. Aug. 8. Call 988-7214.

Shingon Mission, 915 Sheridan St.: Dance at 7 p.m. Aug. 8-9; service at 9 a.m. Aug. 10. Call 941-5663.

By George F. Lee, Star-Bulletin
Dazzman Toguchi is dressed in traditional Okinawan attire
during the Bon dance at the Waipahu Cultural
Garden Park on Saturday.

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AUG. 15-16

Soto Mission of Hawaii, 1708 Nuuanu Ave.: Dance at 7:30 p.m. Call 537-9409.

Mililani Hongwanji Mission, 95-257 Kaloapau St.: Lantern parade at 7 p.m. Aug. 15; Hatsu Bon service at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 16; dance at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 15 and 7:45 p.m. Aug. 16. Call 625-0925.

AUG. 22-23

Aiea Hongwanji Mission, 99-186 Puakala St.: Service at 7 p.m. and dance at 8 p.m. Aug. 23. Call 488-5685.

Jodo Mission of Hawaii, 1429 Makiki St.: Dance at 7 p.m. Call 949-3995.

By George F. Lee, Star-Bulletin
Kyle Sugawa, carried by his mom Jennifer, is introduced
to the past generation of Obon celebrants, as well as
customs he may carry on in the next generation.

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