Obon...a time of joy and gratitude
Obon is a Buddhist custom that originated more than 500 years ago in Japan and came to Hawaii with the Japanese immigrant workers of the nineteenth century.
Obon is the traditional summer festival to invite spirits of dead ancestors back home, hold a memorial service and then send the spirits back to heaven. These festivals are very family-oriented activities; and they’re often attended by three or even four generations within each family!
Obon is the traditional summer festival to invite spirits of dead ancestors back home, hold a memorial service and then send the spirits back to heaven. These festivals are very family-oriented activities; and they’re often attended by three or even four generations within each family!
Hakalau Obon 2023
WE ARE GRATEFUL
- For our parents and ancestors
- For the Tsukikage Odorikai (Moonlight Dance Club) and the Hilo Bon Club for nurturing O-bon traditions!
- For all those who helped prepare for and clean up after our O-bon observance and maintain a watchful eye during the Bon Dance: Barbara Alford, John Boyer and Mike Stolp, Ken and Susan Forbes, Heather Fryer, Joe Hampton, Bob and Virginia Juettner, Hiroshi Kozohara, Debbie Kuntz, Cici Martingnetti, Akiko Masuda, Rev. Junshin Miyazaki, Hahn Nguyen, Michi Ochi and her Ohana, Cyr Pakele, Jay Pennington, Danny Rodrigues, Matt Shall, and Robert Yara
- For all those who participated in the Hakalau Jodo Mission’s O-bon Service and Bon Dance
Arigato gozaimasu!