Five stars. Visited in June 2013, for the Obon dance. One of the first Obon of the season on Kauai…read more Such a nice and relaxing atmosphere. Really enjoyed the dance and especially the food! The elusive flying saucer (UFO) was sold here. Not too many Obons on Oahu had them this year. Hard to come by nowadays. I highly recommend coming to this Obon dance in 2014. Enjoy!

Beautiful Temple and lovely community. The Temple holds a meditation group session every Sunday…read more@9am, and afterwards there is a formal service @10am, if you're ever looking for something to do I recommend visiting you won't regret it :)

Beautiful, if somewhat neglected building and grounds. Unfortunately I was unable to get a close…read morelook at the temple and statue shown in the pictures (even though the temple is supposedly open to the public) because someone in the industrial building next to the temple ran me off as I approached the temple. I was on the driveway and really no where near the building. Not a particularly welcoming experience.

Aloha, when on Kauai & it's Bon Dance season, why not go the Hanapepe Hongwanji Mission…read more Beautifully decorated, visitors & locals all show up in their hapi coats to dance to the drums. Although fun, the best part of Bon Dance is the food, really. And more specifically the "flying Saucers" as Kauai is home of the origination of. Okay it's not a UFO - but it's way better as you get to eat it!. I'll try to explain - it's a cheese-burger with shoyu, ketchup, onions & sugar in 2 pieces of buttered white bread that is grilled by putting into a round grill that seals it into a disc - so there's no bread crust, ends up looking like a flying saucer. Oh so ono, you have to experience it. And I don't know why it's not here on Oahu or any other island for that matter, as it should be. Best treat on Kauai at a Bon Dance.

There are two West Kauai Hongwanji temples on island... one is located in Waimea and the other is…read morelocated in Hanapepe. Both temples are Jodo Shinshu temples with Rev. Hojo as the current resident minister for both temples. Decided to fly to Kauai for a day to check out the West Kauai Hongwanji in Hanapepe's bon dance. Bon dance is celebrated during obon season (In Hawaii, it's all summer long from June to August), and we dance to celebrate and honor our ancestors and recently departed loved ones. So far I've been to 4 different bon dances on Kauai and I've really enjoyed the one at the West Kauai Hongwanji in Hanapepe (WKHH). The temple had plenty parking in the surrounding areas of the temple and also along the street, the dance area (in front of the temple) was nice and spacious with a nice grassy area, the food was so delicious (will get back to that later), and everyone there was so nice and friendly. Even the minister, Rev. Hojo was in the temple to answer any questions we had... later on that night, he performed during the intermission of the bon dance with the Koi Dynasty group. Going back to the food... Kauai's bon dances are usually know for a sandwich item called flying saucers. Its basically a sloppy joe, sandwiched on toasted bread, and they have a mold that makes the sandwiches round, so it comes out looking like a UFO or flying saucers. I've had some on Oahu before but it doesnt compare to the original Kauai style. Though it's pretty pricey ($3 for one sandwich), it's well worth it. People started lining up a long time before they were open. There were a lot more food items like plate lunches, saimin, andagi, and pronto pup (aka Andadog). Everything was so delicious! Will definitely be back again to WKHH!!!

No phone answer for years and family's ashes are still there without any instruction on how to…read moreremove them to rest elsewhere. How is this possible?

Five stars. Great…read moretemple to be at on Kauai. The main Hongwanji Buddhist temple on the island of Kauai. It's nestled on a beautiful and large property in the Kapaia area, right on the outskirts of Lihue town. There's the main temple area, a congregation hall, home for the reverend, and a large front yard area, which is great during Obon season. Come visit when in town and enjoy!

My wife and I visited spontaneously while on our honeymoon and had a wonderful experience. We came…read moreon a Tuesday, so we missed Sunday services. However, the minister, Kosen, was very kind and hospitable, and he showed us around. We also asked him to briefly guide us in a short meditation, which he did. I am very glad we stopped here.

Katog Tara Ling is an authentic place in which one can practice and receive authentic Tibetan…read moreBuddhist teachings. The sangha is harmonious, & welcoming.