Obon Season Brings Dance And Music To Central Oahu

The 2015 Obon season has arrived in Hawaii, and Central Oahu offers seven ways to pay respects to your departed ancestors.

There also are ample opportunities to dance and feast the night away in one of Hawaii’s most colorful summer traditions.

• Haleiwa Jodo Mission will have the first of the area’s public observances.
Bon dancing is set for 8 to10p.m.June19and8 to 11 p.m. June 20 at the mission, located at 66-279A Haleiwa Road. Call 637-4382.

• Wahiawa Hongwanji will celebrate at 7 p.m. June 26-27, starting both nights with a children’s lantern parade at 1067 California Ave. The mission invites the public to enjoy its country
store, silent auction, keiki games, food and the one-of-a-kind Takedaiko Group dancers. Call 622-4320 or 392-3253.
For the schedule of its Wahiawa dance practices, see Highlights on Pages 14 and 15.

• Haleiwa Shingon Mission’s bon dance festival runs from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. July 10-11 at 66-469 Pa‘ala‘a Road.
The service starts at 6. Call 637-4423.

• Wahiawa Ryusenji Soto Mission’s bon dancing begins at 7:30 p.m. July 17-18 at 164 California Ave.
Taiko is at 7 and 8:30 both nights, and Okinawan dancing at 9 p.m. July 18. Call 622-1429.

• Waialua Hongwanji has bon dancing from 7 p.m. Aug. 1, with its serv-
ice scheduled for 6 p.m. at 67-313 Kealohanui St. Call 637-4395.

• Mililani Hongwanji’s bon dances are from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Aug. 21-22 at 95-257 Kaloapau St., with a craft fair at 5, and food booths open from 6 p.m both nights.
A lantern parade starts at 6:45 p.m. Aug. 21. Call 625-0925.

• Hawaii United
Okinawa Association hosts the season finale for Oahu at 5 p.m. Sept. 19 with its Autumn Okinawa Dance Matsuri at Hawaii Okinawa Center, 94-587 Ukee St. in Waipio. Call 676-5400.
(HOAC members also are preparing for the annual Okinawan Festival Sept. 5 at Kapiolani Park, which includes bon dancing at 5:30 p.m.)