West Observes Obon Season

Obon season is here, and West Oahu offers eight ways to pay respects to your ancestors, as well as dance and feast the night away in one of Hawaii’s most colorful summer traditions. Hawaii’s Plantation Village launched the area’s observance June 6 in Waipahu. Still ahead are the following festive events, all open to the public.

• Ewa Hongwanji has its bon dance from 7 to 10 p.m. June 20 at 91-1133 Renton Road, with service at 6. Call 681-5222.

• Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Church has bon dancing from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m July 10-11 at 2280 Auhuhu St. in Pearl City. Food booths open at 6. Call 455-3212.

• Waipahu Hongwanji has bon dancing at 7 p.m. July 10-11 at 94-821 Kuhaulua St. Call 677-4221.

• Waipahu Soto Zen Temple Taiyoji has dancing at 7 p.m. July 31-Aug. 1 at 94-413 Waipahu St. Call 671-3103.

• Pearl City Hongwanji Mission has bon dancing at 7 p.m. Aug. 7-8 at 858 2nd St., with service at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 8. Call 455-1680.

• Soto Mission of Aiea’s bon dancing runs from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Aug. 7-8 at 99-045 Kauhale St., with taiko at 6:30 and Okinawan
bon dancing at 9 p.m. (Aug. 8 only). Call 488-6794.

• Aiea Hongwanji has bon dancing at 7 p.m. Aug. 29 at 99-186 Puakala St.; service is at 6. Call 488-5685.

• 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.