Raenette Hernando – Puna Hongwanji Mission, Kea‘au – July 3, 2015
The Obon ceremony is a Buddhist rite where the recently departed ancestors are remembered and honored. The ceremony seemed to be modeled after more familiar Christian church services; we felt like we shouldn’t go the festivities without first participating in the service. The entertainment started off with the Puna Taiko drummers, who were not on long enough for my liking. The Bon dance proper followed; it is a circular sashaying affair around a central tower. After the drummers, we scored some local scarf, watched for a bit, and were done.
Raenette Hernando