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 2024
Miyazaki Sensei shared the history of Obon. The Bon dance is believed to have its roots in the Odori Nembutsu or Dancing Nembutsu. In the 10th century the monk Kuya is said to have danced and recited Nembutsu together with the people to end an epidemic. In the 13th century, a monk named Ippen, a disciple of Saint Honen, respected Kuya’s actions. Ippen traveled around the country spreading the teaching of nembutsu. He started Nembutsu Odori or dancing nembutsu. The entertainment element of this Nembutsu Odori became stronger, and eventually Bon Odori was born in the 17th Century.
At the heart of Bon Odori is the joy of meeting Buddha and the joy of honoring ancestors who have become Buddhas. Gratitude will lead us to true happiness. Please continue to be thankful to the Buddha, our ancestors and predecessors, be thankful for everything, and live happy lives.
Once prayers and incense were offered and ceremonies completed, Miyazaki Sensei led everybody down to the front lawn to bless the occasion and THE BON DANCE BEGAN.
At the heart of Bon Odori is the joy of meeting Buddha and the joy of honoring ancestors who have become Buddhas. Gratitude will lead us to true happiness. Please continue to be thankful to the Buddha, our ancestors and predecessors, be thankful for everything, and live happy lives.
Once prayers and incense were offered and ceremonies completed, Miyazaki Sensei led everybody down to the front lawn to bless the occasion and THE BON DANCE BEGAN.
WE ARE GRATEFUL for our volunteers who helped make the Obon service and Bon Dance possible: John Boyer, Ken and Susan Forbes, Heather Fryer, Charles Holzwarth, Debby Kuntz, Frank and Ilina Hoferek , Bob and Virginia Juettner, Rev. Miyazaki, Akiko Masuda, Jay Pennington, Andy and Meg Pulido, Alison Simpson, Jaque Uyeoka, and Robert Yara. PREPARATIONS were carried out over many days, with volunteers including members and neighbors recruiting volunteers; cleaning windows and screens, floors, counters and tables; power washing stairs and walkways; preparing the grounds for dancing; and setting up the chochin lanterns, tarps and tables. CLEAN UP after Obon was quick thanks to Mike Stolp’s organization of all the lights, chochin lanterns, tarps and poles. We knew what to do and where to put everything, ready for next year. Virginia Juettner made sure everyone had snacks or lunch during all of our volunteer gatherings...We were well-fed!
Our volunteer photographers captured the essence of a very joyful Obon. Many thanks to John Boyer, Susan Forbes, Heather Fryer, Joy Gold, Elizabeth Hansen, Christine Joy, Noriko Shirahama, and Alison Simpson for sharing their photos.
Our volunteer photographers captured the essence of a very joyful Obon. Many thanks to John Boyer, Susan Forbes, Heather Fryer, Joy Gold, Elizabeth Hansen, Christine Joy, Noriko Shirahama, and Alison Simpson for sharing their photos.
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!
Tsukikage Odorikai (Moonlight Dance Club). Photo courtesy of Ricky-Thomas Serikawa
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Hilo Bon Club. Photo courtesy of Ricky-Thomas Serikawa
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- 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
Photos courtesy of Susan Forbes.
- For all those who participated in the Hakalau Jodo Mission’s O-bon Service and Bon Dance
Lifelong friends reunite. From Left to Right: Robert Yara, Shin Matayoshi, Robert Arakawa, and Brad Kurokawa. Photo courtesy of Susan Forbes.
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Click on the picture for more pictures!
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Arigato gozaimasu!