image from video courtesy Honokaʻa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple

(BIVN) – Obon season is wrapping up in Hawaiʻi, with one of the last events held in Honokaʻa this weekend.

This media release was provided by the Honoka‘a Hongwanji Buddhist Temple:

Hundreds of dancers, drummers and friends came to Honoka‘a Hongwanji Buddhist Temple on Saturday evening, to celebrate their departed loved ones, at the community’s 116th annual Bon Dance.

Bon Dance groups joined in from around the island, as well as individual dancers of all ages, most wearing the signature Happi Coats from their temple. Everyone enjoyed the pounding drums and energetic rhythm, and of course the great food from local vendors.

The centuries-old tradition came to Hawai‘i from Japan along with sugar cane plantation workers in the 19th Century, and has become a favorite seasonal celebration across the islands.

The Honoka‘a event is one of the last of the Obon season, and leads into the Floating Lantern Ceremony on Sunday at 5:00 p.m. at the Fairmont Orchid Hawai‘i, as part of their partner project, “A Weekend to Remember,” with North Hawai‘i Hospice.