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North Hawaii Ikon Dancers <br />lrcompanied by Kona Hon: ivaikji Taiko Drummers <br />Bon Odori (Bon Dance) originates from the story <br />of a Buddhist disciple who envisioned his <br />deceased mother in the Realm of Hungry Ghosts <br />where she was indulging in her own selfishness. <br />Greatly disturbed, the disciple went to Buddha <br />and asked how he could release his mother from <br />this realm. <br />Buddha advised his disciple to perform a <br />charitable act in memory of his mother. The <br />disciple did this and thus saw his mother's <br />release. He also began to see the true nature of <br />her past unselfishness and the many sacrifices <br />she had made for him. The disciple, happy for his <br />mother's release and grateful for his mother's <br />kindness, danced with joy. <br />This dance of joy is Bon Odori, a time when <br />ancestors and their sacrifices are remembered <br />and appreciated. During the festival, the North <br />Hawaii Bon Dancers will perform traditional Bon <br />Odori movements in lines fronting the <br />entertainment stage in the back parking lot at <br />Parker Ranch Center. They will be accompanied <br />by the Kona Hongwanji Taiko Group. The public is <br />welcome to join in. <br />4 <br />eke. <br />q <br />Roberts Hawaii <br />Roberts Hawaii has provided complimentary <br />shuttle services to venues of the Waimea Cherry <br />Blossom Heritage Festival for years. Though the <br />festival has not been able to recently take place <br />due to COVID, the company and team members <br />have been waiting for it to come back. Roberts <br />Hawaii's Big Island team has a sense of "kuleana" <br />(responsibility) to the community they live in. <br />"We are happy to watch the success of this <br />festival and its growth over the years," says Margo <br />Bunnell, Roberts GM of Hawaii Island. "Our <br />commitment to these types of events is to always <br />be good partners to help preserve the mixed <br />cultures found in the Hawaiian Islands." <br />Bunnell adds, "When this festival started for <br />just the pure enjoyment of `hanami,' the viewing <br />of the beautiful flowers of the cherry blossom <br />trees, we were so fortunate the community <br />wanted to expand this event throughout the town, <br />" adds Bunnell. "We will always be here for the <br />community and to be part of this major event that <br />has brought a small town like Waimea to be the <br />host of this Japanese tradition. Where else in the <br />world can one see the magnificent Mauna Kea as <br />the backdrop for these wonderful `hot pink' cherry <br />blossoms in full bloom in February?" <br />