O-bon festival in Lahaina Saturday
LAHAINA - The Lahaina Jodo Mission will celebrate its annual O-bon festival beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday.
The event will be officiated by the resident minister, the Rev. Gensho Hara, with a Dharma talk by the Rev. Shinri Hara.
A colorful traditional Japanese floating lantern ceremony will be part of the event. The ceremony symbolizes the sending off and honoring of departed souls. It will follow a service and a procession of lanterns around the great Buddha and down to the beachfront.
The bon dance will follow at 8 p.m. on the temple courtyard, accompanied by live music performed by Maui Taiko. Food booths will open at 6:30 p.m. and offer roll sushi, cone sushi, chow fun, shave ice and teriyaki beef plates. Games will be available for children.
The mission is at 12 Ala Moana St., near the Mala Boat Ramp.
For more information, call 661-4304.
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'Puzzling Parables' performance Sunday
WAILUKU - The children of Iao Congregational and Wailuku Union churches will present the musical drama "Puzzling Parables" Sunday at Wailuku Union Church.
The children will participate in morning services that begin at 9 and perform the drama afterward.
The church is at 327 S. High St. For more information, call 244-9177.
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Oceanfront services planned in Lahaina
LAHAINA - Holy Innocents Church will mark the Fourth of July holiday by holding the 9:30 a.m. Sunday service on the church's oceanfront lawn and with a "spirited salute to the founders of our great country."
The oceanfront lawn is located behind the church's parking lot and office building.
The service will feature a public reading of the Declaration of Independence, "as a reminder of the values upon which our nation is founded," said Rector Father Bill Albinger.
The change to the oceanfront venue will continue at 9:30 a.m. the first Sunday of each month, the church announced.
The church, founded in 1862, is at 561 Front St., next to King Kamehameha III Elementary School.
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Celebration, barbecue Sunday
KULA - Waipuna Chapel will hold a community Fourth of July celebration and barbecue from 5 p.m. until dark Sunday.
From 5 to 6 there will be keiki games for children ages 4 to 11; at 6 a barbecue potluck dinner; from 6:30 to 8 live music outdoors, and at 8 a legal ground fireworks display.
Waipuna Chapel is at the intersection of Kula Highway and Omaopio Road.
Bible school starts Monday in Pukalani
PUKALANI - Pukalani Baptist Church's vacation Bible school will provide free dinners, games, Bible study, music and other activities from Monday through July 9, according to an announcement.
The activities are free and geared toward children from preschool to those who've finished the 5th grade.
The church is at the intersection of Haleakala Highway and Loha Street, across from Pukalani Superette.
For more information, call 572-7968.
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* The Religion page is published every Friday. This page welcomes news releases and announcements from churches and religious organizations in Maui County that wish to publicize guest speakers, special events and programs, and news items.
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