STAR-BULLETIN / 2001 Drummer Sho Komatsu of the Iwakuni Bon Dance keeps the beat on taiko drums for bon dancers.

Obon heats up summer

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Compiled by Jason Genegabus
jason@starbulletin.com

Obon festivities continue all summer as temples around the state take turns on successive weekends to accommodate the hundreds of people 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 designed to honor ancestors through an evening of dance, music and merrymaking.

Here is a list of events this month, including practice sessions and ceremonies:

OAHU THIS WEEK

>> Haleiwa Shingon Mission, 66-469 Paala Road, 637-4423. Practice 7 p.m. Tuesday; Obon Osegaki/Stupa service 6:30 p.m., dance 8 p.m. July 19-20.
>> Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji, 45-520 Keaahala Road, 247-2661. Dance 7 p.m. today and tomorrow.
>> Moiliili Hongwanji Mission, 902 University Ave., 949-1659. Service 7:30 p.m. today and tomorrow at Moiliili Community Center, 2535 S. King St., with dance to follow.

COMING UP

>> Aiea Hongwanji Mission, 99-186 Puakala St., 488-5685. Service 6:30 p.m., dance 7:30 p.m. Aug. 24.
>> Higashi Shingon Betsuin, 1685 Alaneo St., 531-9088. Service 7 p.m., dance follows, July 26-27.
>> 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.
>> 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.
>> 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/dance 6:30 p.m. July 26 and 27.
>> 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 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 20.
>> Waipahu Hongwanji Mission, 94-821 Kuhaulua St., 677-4221. Service 6:30 p.m., dance 7:30 p.m. July 12-13.
>> Waipahu Soto Zen Temple Taiyoji, 671-3103. Dance 8 p.m. Aug. 2-3.

MAUI

>> 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. tomorrow.
>> 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.

MOLOKAI

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

BIG ISLAND

>> Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin, 398 Kilauea Ave., 961-6677. Service 7 p.m., dance follows July 12-13.
>> Kohala Hongwanji Mission, 775-7232. Service 7 p.m., dance 8 p.m. today.
>> Kona Daifukuji Soto Mission, 322-3524. Dance 7:30 p.m. July 13.
>> Kona Hongwanji Mission, 81-6630 Mamalohoa Highway, 323-2933. Service and lantern parade 6:30 p.m., dance 7 p.m. tomorrow.
>> Paauilo Hongwanji Mission, Paauilo, 776-1369. Service 7 p.m., dance 8 p.m. July 13.
>> Puna Hongwanji Mission, Keaau, 966-9981. Service 7 p.m., dance 8 p.m. tomorrow.

KAUAI

>> Kauai Soto Zen Temple Zenshuj, Hanapepe, 335-3521. Dance 8 p.m. today and tomorrow.
>> Waimea Higashi Hongwanji, 9554-C Kaumualii Highway, 338-1847. Service 7:30 p.m., dance 8 p.m. Sunday and Monday.
>> West Kauai Hongwanji, Hanapepe, 338-1537. Service 6:30 p.m., dance 8 p.m. July 12-13.

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