Grand Naniloa Hotel Hosts Free Obon Presentation, May 28

The Grand Naniloa Hotel will host a free Obon presentation that will be open to the public on Sunday, May 28, from 5-8 p.m., in the hotel’s Hula Lounge.

Residents and visitors will learn about the Obon tradition with a free workshop hosted by Keith Haugen.

Obon is an annual Buddhist tradition that is meant to honor the spirits of one’s ancestors, it has evolved into a cultural event that has been held in communities across the Hawaiian Islands.

Haugen, a professional songwriter and musician, became interested in the Buddhist tradition when he was stationed in Japan as a US Army photographer in the 1950s.

In 2006, he wrote, narrated and produced a special on the Obon tradition for Hawai‘i Public Radio. The special “Obon” has aired on Hawai‘i Pubic Radio every year for more than a decade.

On May 28, from 1 – 4p.m., Haugen will also speak at the “Obon in the Gardens” event.