The Rev. Khotoku Hirao of the Waimea Shingon Mission said on Friday that the first four letters of “bon dance” spell out “bond.” Bon is a good time to connect with family, friends, neighbors and the community.
During the obon festivities that include special prayers, bon dances, food and fellowship that spread over Friday and Saturday evenings, hundreds of people flocked to the Waimea Shingon Mission to enjoy bon dance.
Bon, or obon, based on spiritual mythology and legend, is a time when spiritual leaders believe the spirits of deceased loved ones return to the earthly world and is a reason for dancing, joy and happiness in reunion.
The practice was brought to Hawaii by the Japanese immigrants who came to labor on the plantations more than a century ago. Life in the plantation camps with other ethnic groups evolved the time of joy and happiness to what it is today, a community event where everyone comes together to enjoy the remembrance of loved ones.
Dylan Isona, a helper at the shave ice booth, is from Las Vegas, and Savannah Pilialoha is from Oahu.
“You know you want one,” Pilialoha said. “Dylan is from Vegas, and I came from Oahu to help because my grandpa goes to this church.”
Similarly, volunteers from other Buddhist churches turned out to help with the many chores associated with bon dance which serves as a major fundraiser for the hosting church.
“We’re really grateful for all the help from everybody,” a Waimea Shingon parishioner said, peeking from the kitchen. “We can’t do everything by ourselves. During the prep for all this food, we told people to come at a certain time. When we came, people were already here and started the work. And, they were happy. I like to see that.”
Others in the audience included members of the Lihue Hongwanji Mission who traveled from Lihue to support, not just because this was the first bon dance of the six-dance calendar. Lihue Hongwanji Mission celebrates its bon dance on Friday and Saturday at the Kapaia temple.
According to the Lihue Hongwanji newsletter, the bon dance on Friday and Saturday that welcomes the community will feature food booth offering shave ice, flying saucer, and pronto pup. Dinner plates will be available from 6 p.m. on both nights.
Additionally, a country store will be available on both nights after opening at 6:00 p.m. The bon service officiated by Rev. Shawn Yagi will start at 6 p.m., and bon dancing starts at 7:30 p.m.
There will be a shuttle operating from the parking area fronting the Kauai Medical Group at the Wilcox Hospital.
Source: The Garden Island
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