Okinawans celebrate Obon this week Published Aug. 29, 2012 By Airman 1st Class Tara A. Williamson 18th Wing Public Affairs KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- The annual holiday of Obon is upon Okinawa once again, starting Aug. 30 and continuing on through the weekend. High amounts of traffic just before, during and after Obon in major areas are expected due to the volume of families visiting for the holiday. Airmen are advised to plan accordingly as travel times may take longer than usual. Local residents will be gathering to welcome their ancestors back from the other side and into their homes to spend quality time with their living relatives and share in the prosperity. Okinawan families pray to ensure the spirits can return to the the spirit world safely and come back again next year. "Though the ancient holiday is about praying to ancestors, Eisa dancers will be celebrating throughout Obon. People will be having a good time with their families, and dancing may last late into the evening," said Hideaki Sakihama, 18th Wing Public Affairs community relations specialist.