The ceremony will be held at Lahaina Jodo Mission at 12 Ala Moana St. The mission is home to the largest Buddha statue outside of Japan.

LAHAINA – In commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of Japanese immigrants coming to Hawaii, Dr. Soho Machida will conduct a traditional Japanese “Goma” Gratitude Fire Ceremony on Saturday, May 26, at 7 p.m. at Lahaina Jodo Mission.

The celebration includes taiko drumming, Hawaiiain oli, Sutra chanting and the Goma Fire Ceremony.

The event is open to the public. Participants can write their wishes on wooden sticks and place them in the blessed fire.

Dr. Machida is the abbot of Arigato Temple beneath the slopes of Mt. Fuji and a professor emeritus of Hiroshima University.

He will also conduct an Arigato Gratitude Zen Meditation session on May 26 at 4 p.m. at Lahaina Jodo Mission and on Sunday, May 27, at 1 p.m. at Wailuku Jodo Mission.

Participants interested in these session are asked to e-mail sohozenMaui@gmail.com or call 661-4304 for more information.