Send Obon info to Today section

The summer Obon season honors the Buddhist tradition of commemorating family ancestors, who are said to return to this world to visit relatives. In Hawaii the colorful and lively festivals have become a must-do cultural event for residents and visitors alike, regardless of religious persuasion.

The Today section will publish its annual Obon calendar May 28. To list your event, email the dates, time, address, sponsor’s name and contact information to features@staradvertiser.com by May 21.

Event will honor 3 mediation advocates

The Mediation Center of the Pacific will host its annual fundraiser, "Under the Mediation Moon," from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday at Washington Place. The honorees are Ellen Godbey Carson, Susan Chang and Sascha Franzel, who will be honored posthumously, for their roles in expanding mediation and collaborative leadership techniques.

While president of the Hawaii State Bar Association in 1996, Carson convened a Citizens Access to Justice Conference that led to the development of peer mediation programs for youths, according to a news release.

Chang, of MediationWorks, provides conflict resolution programs within schools and other institutions. The Mediation Center said her commitment helped ensure the annual Statewide Peer Mediation Conference for students was held even when funding was scarce.

Franzel incorporated the mediation skills she learned at Epiphany School into her daily life and continued to demonstrate leadership skills and devotion to community service while attending Mid-Pacific Institute and later Colo­rado State University, until her untimely death last year after an asthma attack.

Individual tickets for the fundraiser are $150; tables of 10 are $1,500 to $6,000. The cost includes wine tasting, dinner by Downtown, music by Pierre Grill and a silent wine auction. Call 521-6767.

Charitable group’s fundraiser is May 6

The Daughters of the Nile charitable society will present its annual Convalescent Relief Tea fundraiser from 1 to 3 p.m. May 6.

The festivities, including refreshments, music and hula, will take place at Shriners Hospital for Children in the education center of the administration building. Hospital tours will also be available. Ladies are encouraged to wear their special hats.

Daughters of the Nile work as volunteers at Shriners Hospitals for Children, sew clothing and quilts, hold birthday parties for the patients and provide educational and recreational items.

Tickets will be available at the door for a $10 donation. For more information, call Joellen Webb at 455-7433.