STAR-BULLETIN/2006 Cheryl Gushikuma of Pearl City brought her beagle, Molly, to Hawaii Kotohira Jinsha-Hawaii Dazaifu Tenmangu for last year's Pet Blessing Festival. Brandon Goda delivered the blessing. CLICK FOR LARGE

Tasty treat follows pet blessing

Hawaii Kotohira Jinsha-Hawaii Dazaifu Tenmangu offers a Pet Blessing Festival

Do pets have souls? That's a question for a higher authority, but in the meantime, what could it hurt to have a pet blessed?

Hawaii Kotohira Jinsha-Hawaii Dazaifu Tenmangu offers a Pet Blessing Festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at the Shinto temple, 1239 Olomea St. in Kalihi.

The annual celebration, marking Pet Appreciation Week, is based on a Japanese ritual, Chinowa, in which humans pass through a ring of chigaya grass to receive a blessing of good health.

For the pet blessings, a smaller ring made of ti leaves will be used. Pets will pass through (or be carried), then a priest will ring tiny bells above the animal and deliver the blessing.

Afterward, pets may enjoy a special Pet Shave Ice, ice topped with "pet sauce" in flavors such as turkey, roast beef and pot roast.

No reservations are required. All animals must be on a leash or caged. Call 841-4755.