It’s time once again to share the 2015 Maui obon festival schedule! Festivities kick off June 6 and last through August 29.
Put simply, obon is a centuries-old Buddhist tradition to honor the deceased. Every summer in Hawaiʻi, Buddhist temples come alive with colorful celebration: kimono-clad dancers, music, favorite local foods, and more. See my previous post to learn more about this tradition.
See you at the festival!
2015 OBON SCHEDULE
June 6, Lahaina Shingon Mission
(obon service at 6:30 p.m.; dancing at 7:30 p.m.)
682 Luakini Street, Lahaina
808.661.0466
June 13, Puʻunene Nichiren Mission
(obon service at 7 p.m.; dancing at 8 p.m.)
9 Ani Street, Kahului
808.871.4831
June 26, Wailuku Jodo Mission
(obon service at 7 p.m.; dancing at 8 p.m.)
67 Central Avenue, Wailuku
808.244.3800
July 3, Lahaina Jodo Mission
(obon service at 6:30 p.m.; dancing at 8 p.m.)
12 Ala Moana Street, Lahaina
808.661.4304
*This temple puts on a lovely lantern floating ceremony—the only one like it on Maui—characterized by illuminated lanterns inscribed with messages and prayers for deceased loved ones that are set out to sea. If you can make it to just one obon festival this season, this should be it!
July 10 and 11, Pāʻia Mantokuji Mission
(obon service at 6 p.m.; dancing at 8 p.m.)
23 Hāna Highway, Pāʻia
808.579.8051
July 17 and 18, Kahului Hongwanji Mission
(obon service at 7 p.m.; dancing at 8 p.m.)
291 S. Puʻunene Avenue, Kahului
808.871.4732
July 24 and 25, Makawao Hongwanji Mission
(obon service at 7 p.m.; dancing at 8 p.m.)
1074 Makawao Avenue
808.572-7229
July 31 and August 1, Wailuku Hongwanji Mission
(obon service at 7 p.m.; dancing at 8 p.m.)
1828 Vineyard Street, Wailuku
808.244.0406
August 7 and 8, Lahaina Hongwanji Mission
(obon service at 6:30 p.m.; dancing at 8 p.m.)
551 Waineʻe Street, Lahaina
808.661.0640
August 15, Kahului Jodo Mission
(obon service at 6:30 p.m.; dancing at 7:30 p.m.)
325 Laʻau Street, Kahului
808.871.4911
August 29, Kula Shofukuji Mission
(obon service at 6:30 p.m.; dancing at 7:30 p.m.)
113 Puanani Place, Kula
808.661.0466 (same number as Lahaina Shingon Mission)
