Our summer Obon schedule listing events across the state will be published May 26.

Bon, or Obon, is one of three major holiday seasons in Japan. Traditionally, lanterns are hung in front of homes to guide spirits, obon dances (bon odori) are performed, ancestors’ graves are visited and food offerings are made at house altars and temples.

The annual festivals have evolved into more of a secular community event, and in Hawaii there are bon festivals almost every weekend from June through September, with dancing, food and cultural activities.

Groups wishing to publicize their Obon events should send an email with the time, date, address, contact information and other details to features@staradvertiser.com, with “Obon” in the subject line. The deadline to submit information is May 20.

Nature themes highlight art show

Three local artists who take nature as their inspiration will feature some of their newest pieces in an exhibit to benefit the Kokua Hawai‘i Foundation, Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii and HNL Tool Library.

Neiman Marcus hosts the “Three for the Sea” exhibit May 3 and 4 in its Ala Moana Center store, in the third-floor Gift Galleries department. An art sale and appearances by the artists will take place from noon to 3 p.m. each day.

The artists:

>> Jenna Wellein, a painter whose three-dimensional works include oil, acrylic, heavy gel and other mixed media applied with a palette knife.

>> Kelly Rice, a nature photographer.

>> Sarah Caudle, a seascape artist who uses acrylics and multiple layers of resin on wood panels.