Japanese and Japanese-at-heart are encouraged to bring their hapi coats and kimono to the Waipahu Hongwanji Mission for the temple's annual obon dance and festival on July 13 and 14.

The festival begins at 7:30 p.m. on both nights.

The mission is located on Kuhaulua Street near Hans L'Orange Park. Call: 677-4221.

Obon is a centuries-old Buddhist ritual in which the departed spirits of ancestors are honored through a series of dances. Traditionally, obon is when ancestor-revering Japanese return home for reunions and visits to family graves.

In Hawai'i, the popular bon dancing season runs through the summer months.