[OBON SEASON]

STAR-BULLETIN / 2001 Jenna Sumikawa, 4, kept the beat last June with a pair of "taikobashi" at the Honpa Hongwanji Betsuin Hawaii bon dance.

Summer bon dance season
starts next week

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Star-Bulletin staff

The Buddhist celebration of the Obon season, honoring the dead through music and dance, gets under way this month.

The first bon dance will begin at 6 p.m. next Saturday at Waipahu Cultural Garden Park, 94-695 Waipahu St. Members of the Waipahu and Mililani Hongwanji missions will participate as well as the Young Okinawans, Aiea Taiheji Yagura Gumi, Iwakuni Dance Group and Yamada Dance Group.

The festivities continue all summer as temples around the state take turns on successive weekends to accomodate the hundreds of people, including non-Buddhists, who follow the circuit. The Obon tradition was brought to Hawaii by Japanese immigrants and evolved into a social and cultural event as well as a religious custom.

The joyful style of honoring ancestors began with a disciple of Shakyamuni Buddha, who taught in India 2,500 years ago, said the Rev. Shoji Matsumoto. According to legend, Mokuren was concerned about his mother's destination after death. He found his mother starving in the realm of hungry spirits, suffering because of her greed while she was on earth. His attempt to rescue her failed. Food he brought turned to fire in her mouth.

"Buddha counseled him to have a feast for the other monks," said Matsumoto. "Because of his compassion for them, he was able to save his mother from the ordeal.

"He was so happy, he and the other monks danced with joy. That was the inspiration for the bon dance. When you dance, you become enlightened."

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BON DANCE CALENDAR 2002

Oahu

>> Aiea Hongwanji Mission, 99-186 Puakala St., 488-5685. Service, 6:30 p.m., dance, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 24.

>> Ewa Hongwanji Mission, 91-1133 Renton Road, 681-5222 or 677-4221. Service, 6:30 p.m., dance, 7:30 p.m. June 22.

>> Haleiwa Jodo Mission, 66-279-A Haleiwa Road, 637-4382. Practice, 7 p.m. June 20 and 27; service, 6:30 p.m., dance, 8 p.m. July 12, 13; floating lantern ceremony, 9 p.m. July 13.

>> Haleiwa Shingon Mission, 66-469 Paala Road, 637-4423. Practice, 7 p.m. July 9; Obon Osegaki/Stupa service, 6:30 p.m., dance, 8 p.m. July 19-20.

>> Higashi Shingon Betsuin, 1685 Alaneo St., 531-9088. Service, 7 p.m., dance follows July 26-27.

>> Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin, 1727 Pali Hwy., 536-7044. Service, 7:15 p.m., dance, 7:30 p.m. June 28-29.

>> Jikoen Hongwanji, 1731 N. School St., 845-3422. Dance, 6:30 p.m. Aug. 9; service, 4 p.m., dance, 6 p.m. Aug. 10.

>> Jodo Mission of Hawaii, 1429 Makiki St., 949-3995. Dance, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 16-17.

>> Kahuku Hongwanji Mission, P.O. Box 148, 293-5268 or 622-4320. Service, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 9; dance, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 10.

>> Kailua Hongwanji Mission, 30-D Maluniu Ave., 262-4560. Service, 7:30 p.m. July 19; service, 7 p.m., dance follows July 20.

>> Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji, 45-520 Keaahala Road, 247-2661. Dance, 7 p.m. July 5-6.

>> Kapahulu Senior Center, 3410 Campbell Ave., 737-1748. Dance, 6 p.m. Aug. 24.

>> Koboji Shingon Mission, 1223-B N. School St., 841-7033. Service, 4 p.m., dance, 7 p.m. July 12-13.

>> Koganji Temple, 2869 Oahu Ave., 732-0446. Children's lantern parade 5 p.m., Aug. 2; dance, 5:30-10:30 p.m., taiko performance 8:30 p.m. Aug. 2-3.

>> Mililani Hongwanji, 95-257 Kaloapau St., 625-0925, www.mililanihongwanji.org. Service, 9 a.m. Aug. 11; dance, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 16-17.

>> Moiliili Hongwanji Mission, 902 University Ave., 949-1659. Service, 7:30 p.m. at Moiliili Community Center, 2535 S. King St.; dance follows July 5-6.

>> Palolo Higashi Hongwanji, 1641 Palolo Ave., 732-1491. Service, 7:15 p.m., dance, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 2-3.

>> Pearl City Hongwanji Mission, 858 2nd St., 455-1680. Service, 6:30 p.m., dance, 7:30 p.m. July 19-20.

>> Shingon Mission of Hawaii, 915 Sheridan St., 941-5663. Service, 9 a.m. July 14; dance, 9 p.m. Aug. 9-10.

>> Shinshu Kyokai Mission, 1631 S. Beretania St., 973-0156. Service, 7 p.m., dance, 7:30 p.m. July 19-20.

>> Soto Mission of Aiea-Taiheji, 99-045 Kauhale St., 488-6794. Dance, 8 p.m. Aug. 9-10.

>> Soto Mission of Hawaii-Shoboji, 1708 Nuuanu Ave., 537-9409. Dance, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 16-17.

>> Tendai Mission of Hawaii, 23 Jack Lane, 595-2556. Dance, 7 p.m. July 13.

>> Wahiawa Hongwanji Mission, 1067 California Ave., 622-4320. Service, 6:30 p.m., dance, 7:30 p.m. June 28-29.

>> Wahiawa Ryunsenji Soto Mission, 164 California Ave., 622-1429. Taiko performances, 7 p.m., dance, 7:30 p.m. July 26-27.

>> Waialua Hongwanji Mission, 67-313 Kealohanui St., 637-4395 or 622-4320. Service, 6:30 p.m., dance, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 3.

>> Waianae Hongwanji Mission, 85-762 Old Government Road, 677-4221. Service, 6:30 p.m., dance, 7:30 p.m. July 12-13.

>> Waipahu Hongwanji Mission, 94-821 Kuhaulua St., 677-4221. Service, 6:30 p.m., dance, 7:30 p.m. July 12-13.

>> Waipahu Cultural Garden Park, 94-695 Waipahu St., 677-0110. Obon Festival, 6-10 p.m. June 8.

>> Waipahu Soto Zen Temple Taiyoji, 671-3103. Dance, 8 p.m. Aug. 2-3.

Maui

>> Hale Makua-Kahului, 472 Kaulana St., 871-9259. Dance, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 6.

>> Hale Makua-Wailuku, 1540 E. Main St., 243-1712. Dance, 6 p.m. Sept. 13.

>> Kahului Hongwanji Mission, 291 S. Puunene St., 871-4732. Service, 7 p.m., dance, 8 p.m. Aug. 9-10.

>> Kahului Jodo Mission, 325 Laau St., 871-4911. Service, 7 p.m., dance, 8 p.m. July 19-20.

>> Lahaina Hongwanji Mission, 682 Luakini St., 661-0466. Service, 6 p.m., dance, 7:30 p.m. July 26-27.

>> Lahaina Jodo Mission, 12 Ala Moana, 661-4304. Service, 7 p.m., floating lantern ceremony, 8 p.m., dance, 8:30 p.m. July 6.

>> Makawao Hongwanji Mission, 1074 Makawao Ave., 572-7229. Service, 6:30 p.m., dance follows July 19-20.

>> Paia Mantokuji Soton Mission, 579-8051. Dance, 8 p.m. July 12-13.

>> Paia Rinzai Sen Mission, Lower Paia, 579-9921. Service, 7 p.m., dance, 8 p.m. Aug. 23-24.

>> Wailuku Hongwanji Mission, 1828 Vineyard St., 244-0406. Service, 7 p.m., dance, 8 p.m. Aug. 2-3.

>> Wailuku Jodo Mission, 67 Central Ave., 244-0066. Service, 7 p.m., dance, 8 p.m. June 28.

Molokai

>> Molokai Guzeiji Soto Mission, Kaunakakai, 553-5197. Taiko performance, 5:30 p.m., dance, 6:30 p.m. July 6.

Big Island

>> Hilo Higashi Hongwanji, 216 Mohouli St., 935-8968. Service, 7 p.m., dance, 8 p.m. Aug. 10.

>> Hilo Hoonganji Mission, 457 Manono St., 935-8331. Service, 6:30 p.m., dance, 8 p.m. July 27.

>> Hilo Meishoin, 97 Olona St., 935-6996. Service, 7 p.m., dance, 8 p.m. July 20.

>> Hilo Nichiren Mission, 24 Makalika St., 959-8894. Service, 6 p.m., dance, 7 p.m. Aug. 16.

>> Hilo Taishoji Soto Mission, 935-8407. Dance, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 3.

>> Honohina Hongwanji Mission, 963-6032. Service and dance, 7 p.m. Aug. 31.

>> Honokaa Hongwanji Mission, 45-5016 Plumeria St., 775-7232. Service, 7 p.m., dance, 8 p.m. July 20.

>> Honomu Hongwanji Mission, 963-6032. Service and dance, 6:30 p.m. June 29.

>> Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin, 398 Kilauea Ave., 961-6677. Service, 7 p.m., dance follows July 12-13.

>> Kamuela Hongwanji Mission, Kamuela, 885-4481. Service, 7 p.m., dance, 8 p.m., Aug. 17.

>> Keei Hongwanji Fukyojo, Keei. Service, 6 p.m., dance, 7 p.m. June 29.

>> Kohala Hongwanji Mission, 775-7232. Service, 7 p.m., dance, 8 p.m. July 5.

>> Kona Daifukuji Soto Mission, 322-3524. Dance, 7:30 p.m. July 13.

>> Kona Hongwanji Mission, 81-6630 Mamalohoa Hwy., 323-2933. Service and lantern parade, 6:30 p.m., dance, 7 p.m. July 6.

>> Kurtistown Jodo Mission, Iwasaki Camp Road, 966-9777. Service, 7 p.m., dance, 8 p.m. July 24.

>> Paauilo Hongwanji Mission, Paauilo, 776-1369. Service, 7 p.m., dance, 8 p.m. July 13.

>> Pahoa Hongwanji Mission, Pahao Road, 966-9981. Service, 7 p.m., dance, 8 p.m. Aug. 31.

>> Puna Hongwanji Mission, Keaau, 966-9981. Service, 7 p.m., dance, 8 p.m. July 6.

>> Taishoji Soto Mission, 275 Kinoole St., 935-8407. Service, 7 p.m., dance, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 3.

Kauai

>> Kapaa Hongwanji Mission, 1170 Kuhio Hwy., 822-4667. Service, 7 p.m., dance, 8 p.m. Aug. 16-17.

>> Kapaa Jodo Mission, 4524 Hauaala Road, 822-4319. Service, 6 p.m., dance, 8 p.m. Aug. 2-3.

>> Kauai Soto Zen Temple Zenshuj, Hanapepe, 335-3521. Dance, 8 p.m. July 5-6.

>> Koloa Jodo Mission, 3480 Waikomo Road, 742-6735. Service, 4:30 p.m., food, 6 p.m., dance, 8 p.m. Aug. 9-10.

>> Lihue Hongwanji Mission, 245-6262. Service, 9 a.m. July 14; dance, 7:45 p.m. July 19-20.

>> Waimea Higashi Hongwanji, 9554-C Kaumualii Hwy., 338-1847. Service, 7:30 p.m., dance, 8 p.m. July 7-8.

>> Waimea Shingon Mission, 3770-A Pule St., 338-1854. Service, 7 p.m., dance, 8 p.m. July 26-27.

>> West Kauai Hongwanji, Koloa, 338-1537. Dance, 7:45 p.m. June 21-22.

>> West Kauai Hongwanji, Hanapepe, 338-1537. Service, 6:30 p.m., dance, 8 p.m. July 12-13.

>> West Kauai Hongwanji, Waimea, 4675 Menehune Road, 338-1537. Service, 6:30 p.m., dance, 8 p.m. June 28-29.

>> West Kauai Hongwanji Mission, at Waimea, 335-3195. Service, 9:30 a.m. July 28.