Kaʻū News Briefs Sept. 14, 2024

Japanese Ei Ya Sa signs say "Yes, Now," calling everyone to dance, during the O Bon dance and ceremonies at Nāʻālehu Hongwanji on Saturday evening. Photos by Julia Neal

Puna Taiko drummers came to Kaʻū on Saturday.

THIS ISLAND'S LAST OBON DANCE OF THE SEASON on Saturday happened with many people at Nāʻālehu Hongwanji on Saturday evening. Taiko drummers called out "EI Ya Sa" with signage and voice, meaning, "Yes, Now!"       Crowds circled the ceremonial tower and danced in the round wearing everything from street clothes to kimono and hapi coats. Many wore headbands saying Pahala Hongwanji or  Nāʻālehu Hongwanji. They were  cosponsors of the event.
     The celebration has been held annually in Ka'u's old sugar towns by  practicing Buddhists who invite their friends of all faiths from their community and around the island. 

Hongwanji leader Wayne Kawachi, left
with a friend at the Bon Dance.

    On Saturday the Obon festivities went from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. with temples services followed by two taiko drumming presentations from Puna and Pāhala Hongwanji drumming groups, with the public dancing in the round.

        Also offered were Okinawan donuts, sushi, ahi poke bowls, shave ice, desserts, as well as food and drink from two food trucks. On sale were head scarves with the names of Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Hongwanji, kimonos and kimono wraps and origami jewelry.

       This was the first bon dance at Nāʻālehu Hongwanji since before the pandemic. Next year's dance will be held at Pāhala Hongwanji.

Some colorful costumes flowed around the tower at the bon dance.

Mika Davis and Rika Davis with kimono they bring from Japan, offering them to the public, along with kimono cloth and jewelry.

      Nāʻālehu Hongwanji is the home of both the Buddhist congregation and a Protestant Christian congregation. It hosts and food hub and feeds the community hot meals and distributes food boxes. There is also a thrift shop on the property. 

People of all ages, faiths and ethnicities joined in the dance that celebrates the harvest.

A 4.2 MAGNITUDE QUAKE AND HUNDREDS OF SMALLER QUAKES continue at Kīlauea Volcano. The larger was at 4:25 p.m. on Saturday, located 4.2 miles south-southwest of Volcano village, just .2 miles below the surface. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center sent out a message of no tsunami generated.  Most of the people who reported feeling the quake to USGS were in Volcano toward Hilo.

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HAWAI'I CIVIL DEFENSE REPORTS: The National Weather Service has issued a Coastal Flood Statement due to higher tides Saturday through Monday from late mornings to early afternoons. Expect minor coastal flooding of beaches and low lying roads.
    For more information, visit County of Hawai'i Hazard Impact Map.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.

September 2024, 5,000 in the mail, 2,500 on the streets.