Waikoloa Village Talk Story

All are invited to attend the “Early Days in Waikoloa” at the Village Talk Story, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on July 20 at the Waikoloa School cafeteria. Hear first-hand stories and accounts of life in Waikoloa Village in the early days from those who were living or working in the area then. Listen and learn about our “sense of place” from this eclectic group of individuals and affiliations. Speakers will include: Diane Rivas of THIS WEEK magazine; Ken Melrose from Waikoloa Land Development; Paula Kamiya, the first librarian at Waikoloa Elementary School; Peter Sydserff of Canada France Hawaii Telescope and past Waikoloa Village Assocation board member; Lester Young of Boise Cascade, Clubhouse Restaurant; Cris Hafner of Hafner Graphic Designs, and Rudy Castaneda of Waikoloa Plumbing. Ruth Smith, Waikoloa Elementary and Middle School vice principal, will moderate the discussion. The event is free to the public and light refreshments will be provided.

Ukulele masters at Blue Dragon on July 26

The Blue Dragon Restaurant, HawaiiONTV.com and Jazz Alley TV are sponsoring a “A Special Evening with Ukulele Masters” from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on July 26 at the restaurant. The night will feature Walt Keale, Robyn Knuble from the Hula Honeys, Benny Uyetake, Sonny Lim, CJ “Boom” Helekahi and Kaliko Beamer Trapp. Admission is $20. For more information and reservations, contact the Blue Dragon Restaurant at 882-7771.

Dr. Tanaka to speak at Hongwanji Temple

On August 13 at 7 p.m., Honokaa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple will host a presentation by noted author and educator, guest speaker Dr. Kenneth K. Tanaka. Following his talk on “Attraction, Detraction and the Future of Shin Buddhism within American Religious Landscape,” there will be an opportunity to meet Dr. Tanaka, share some refreshments and talk story.

Born in 1947 in Yamaguchi, Japan, Dr. Tanaka moved to California at the age of eleven in 1958 with his Japanese-American parents. He graduated from Stanford in 1970 with a degree in Cultural Anthropology and earned a Master’s degree in Indian Philosophy from Tokyo University in Japan. He was ordained in as a Shin Buddhist minister in 1978. Returning to the U.S., he earned a Ph.D. in Buddhist Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, and in 1991 was appointed Professor at the Institute of Buddhist Studies, an affiliate of the Graduate Theological Union. He has also taught at Musashino University, Tokyo University and Ryukoku University.

Admission to “Attraction, Detraction” is free and open to everyone regardless of religious or spiritual background. Dr. Tanaka’s presentation is courtesy of the Honokaa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple.Visit Dr. Tanaka’s website at http://kenneth-tanaka.life.coocan.jp.

109th Annual Honokaa Obon Service is July 21

Since 1904, the Honokaa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple has annually hosted the “Obon Service,” a communal memorial event when families and friends come together to remember loved ones who have passed away in the previous 12 months.

This year, the Buddhist temple hopes to include all members of the community to participate in the event, regardless of faith. Anyone can request to have a loved one remembered and included in the service. When that person’s name is called, friends and family go forward to offer incense in his or her memory. This is a unique opportunity for the entire community to support one another to memorialize loved ones.

The ceremony starts at 6 p.m., July 21 at 45-516 Plumeria St., Honokaa. The service will include “The Dharma Band” performing compositions by Mark Knopfler and Justin Currie. It will be followed by the colorful and festive Bon Dance. Food and refreshments will be for sale. Call Reverend Yagi, 775-7232, to request to have your loved one included in the service. Admission is free for both events.