By Yiming Fu, Report for America corps member
Red lanterns flutter in the air. As does an overwhelming spirit of love, hope and community.
One year after their temples burned down, Lahaina’s three Buddhist missions put on an Obon festival with Taiko drumming, dance circles and local food trucks. While Obon festivals are typically hosted on temple grounds, the Saturday night event took place at the Lahaina Cannery Mall and was the first time Lahaina’s three temples — the Lahaina Jodo Mission, Lahaina Hongwanji and Lahaina Shingon Mission — joined forces for the celebration.
Obon is a Japanese Buddhist festival that celebrates ancestors that have passed. Obon season in Hawai’i stretches from June to late August, and Saturday’s Obon festival commemorating Lahaina was one of the island’s biggest yet.
While the temples haven’t been cleared to rebuild, the spirit of Obon rings strong.
A kids Taiko drum group performs at the beginning of the festival. Photo by Yiming Fu 
Lahaina Cannery Mall’s parking lot was packed. Hundreds filed in from across Hawai’i to eat at food trucks, talk and dance with their friends. Photo by Yiming Fu 
One of the most popular food trucks was Poi Mochi. Poi is a traditional dish made from taro root and is a staple in Hawaiian culture. Photo by Yiming Fu 
The Lahaina Shingon Mission’s table displayed its history on Maui. Photo by Yiming Fu 
The Lahaina Shingon Table also sold snacks like Furikake popcorn to raise money for rebuilding. Photo by Yiming Fu 
The Lahaina Jodo Mission sells t-shirts at their table. Photo by Yiming Fu 
The Lahaina Hongwanji Mission sells their famous quilts, which they are known for across the island. Photo by Yiming Fu
Takayuki Meguro, a minister at the Lahaina Shingon Mission said they lost everything in the fire, but a few months later members started gathering in Kapalua. It’s not the same as usual, he said, even though they’re doing the same things. He is grateful to the Kapalua golf course, who offered their meeting room so they can do service for a group of 15.
The Lahaina Shingon Mission’s property has not been cleared, and Meguro still feels a little stuck, but hopes things get better.
“I want to rebuild the temple, and I want to see the members with a happy face,” Meguro said. “Today everybody is smiling, and I am very happy.”
The Lahaina Shingon Mission’s booth is selling butter rolls from Komoda Bakery and snack mixes like furikake popcorn to make money to rebuild.
Maya Hara of the Lahaina Jodo Mission said the group has been meeting at the Wailuku or Kahului missions and occasionally have services with a small group at their old site. The biggest challenge to rebuilding, she said, is navigating policies with rebuilding on a property right by the shoreline.
The best part of Saturday’s festival, she said, is the high turnout and even higher spirits.
“It is amazing and beautiful that the community can come together.”
Warren Tamamoto is from Honolulu but came to Maui for the Lahaina Obon. He’s from the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawai’i, a statewide organization. He is helping see what the temples need and how they are going about rebuilding. He said the temples are getting aid from grassroots organizations, community members and statewide organizations for recovery. FEMA says the temple structure has to be similar to before when they rebuild, and Tamamoto’s wants to add upgrades to the temple like making it wheelchair accessible.
After rebuilding, Tamamoto hopes to share the values of the Lahaina Hongwanji with the community and hopes to open the space as a meeting place or nursery to suit the community needs. And beyond the festival, he hopes people will engage with Buddhist teachings, that emphasize gratitude, joy and community.
“Everyone benefits from this feeling of Ohana.”
(Reporter Yiming Fu is based in Maui and is following the recovery of the Lahaina fire)
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