Bon dance season
is beginning

Summertime is bon dance season in Hawaii, with three months of celebrations in the Buddhist tradition of honoring the dead through ritual, music and dance.

Obon literally means "lantern festival," and the colorful hanging lights will cast a glow over dancers at each location. The tradition is to light the way for the spirits of ancestors who are greeted with offerings of flowers, food and incense in temple rituals and on family altars.

Here is the schedule for the month of June:

Oahu

» June 18: 7:30 p.m., Ewa Hongwanji Mission, 91-1133 Renton Road
» June 18: 6 p.m., 50th State Fair at Aloha Stadium
» June 24-25: 6:30 p.m., Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin, 1727 Pali Highway. Practice June 20, 21 and 22, 7:30 p.m.
» June 24-25: 7:30 p.m., Wahiawa Hongwanji, 1067-A California Ave.
» June 24-25: 8 p.m., Haleiwa Jodo-Shu, 66-279-A Haleiwa Road, 637-4382

Big Island

» Saturday: 8 p.m., Honomu Henjoji Mission
» June 18: 7 p.m., Papaikou Hongwanji Mission
» June 18: 6 p.m., Kona Regional Bon Dance, Keauhou Shopping Center
» June 25: 8 p.m., Honomu Hongwanji Mission

Kauai

» June 24-25: 7:30 p.m., Kapaa Hongwanji Mission
» June 17-18: 7:50 p.m., Kauai Soto Zen Temple Zenshuji in Hanapepe

Maui

» Saturday: 8 p.m., Puunene Nichiren Mission
» June 18: 8 p.m., Wailuku Shingon Mission
» June 24: 8 p.m., Wailuku Jodo Mission
» June 25: 8 p.m., Lahaina Shingon Mission