Kohala drummers to perform at O-Bon Service in Honokaa

Honokaa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple will host its annual O-Bon Service and bon dance on Saturday.

Preceding the dance will be the 110th annual Community Memorial Service, or O-Bon.

“A main function of this event is to provide family and friends of loved ones who have passed on in the previous 12 months an opportunity to remember and honor those loved ones in a group and community setting,” said spokesman Miles Okumura.

“The Honokaa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple is inviting anyone and everyone in the community who has lost a family member or friend to take part in the service by having the name of their loved one announced, and to offer incense as a gesture of remembrance and to honor their memory.

“A deceased loved one need not have been a member of the temple, nor a Buddhist, and the same applies to you and any friends or family members honoring the memory of the deceased,” he explained.

To participate, please notify the Rev. Kosho Yagi of the name of the deceased by calling 775-7232.

The dance starts at 7 p.m., and, new this year, entertainment will be featured during intermission. The Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko drum group from Kohala will be appearing along with an Okinawan dance troupe. The event is free to the public. For further information, please call 775-7232 or email info@peacedayparade.org.