Your Insider Guide to the 12th Annual Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest

Photo: Courtesy of Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest

The 12th annual Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest is on July 5 from 5 to 10 p.m. This year’s event has a new venue location, at Washington Middle School, 1633 South King St. With attendance expected in the thousands, this year’s fest has an exciting lineup of food and craft vendors, games and activities and, of course, the bon dance. The Summer Fest is presented by the nonprofit organization Mō‘ili‘ili Festivals with support from Kamehameha Schools, Mō‘ili‘ili Hongwanji Mission, the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i, the Mō‘ili‘ili Community Center and the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.

Click to the information you want to explore:

• Cost
• What to Do
• What’s New
• Shopping & Dining
• Bathrooms
• Where to Park
• Tips

SEE ALSO: O‘ahu Bon Dance Schedule 2024

Cost

The Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest is a free community event. Attendees can pay food and craft vendors directly. Most will accept both cash or card, and some may also take PayPal or Venmo. Please note that unlike previous years, there will not be an ATM onsite at the new venue, so plan accordingly.

Photo: Courtesy of Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest

What to Do

The summer fest is always jam-packed with activities, and this year is no exception. Live entertainment runs from 5 to 6 p.m., featuring performances from Taiko Center of the Pacific, hula by Ka Pā Hula ‘o Ka‘ohukuilehua and Japanese shamisen by Anju Madoka and Madoka no Kai. Also in attendance at this year’s fest are bon dance groups Hawai‘i Shin Kobukai, Honolulu Fukushima Bon Dance Club and the Young Okinawans of Hawai‘i. The bon dance will start at 6 p.m. and continue through the night.

Photo: Andrea Lee

There will also be other cultural activities for keiki. The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i will have stamping stations and gift shop items for sale. The stamping stations include tanabata tanzaku, or “handwritten wishes for a good fortune” paper slips tied to bamboo, and hachimaki (Japanese headband). The Cherry Blossom Festival will also be teaching origami and have a coloring area for the keiki, and the Mō‘ili‘ili Community Center will host a fun fish pond activity.

Also at this year’s fest, New York Life will provide free child safety IDs, and Project Dana will be sharing information on their kūpuna services. The Honolulu Fire Department and their fire truck will be present, with firefighters educating attendees on fire and life safety. Additionally, HMSA, Honolulu Federal Credit Union, the Washington Middle School Band and the Boys and Girls Club of Hawai‘i will be hosting their own booths with spin wheels and games.

SEE ALSO: Our Guide: Bon Dances for Beginners

Photo: Andrea Lee

What’s New

This year’s fest features more collaborations with beloved local brands. The Asato Family Shop will be releasing a new special local-inspired treat: a limited-edition Andagi Sherbet. Sumofish will also release a new collaborative T-shirt and sticker. Be sure to stop by for these special collaborations, as the proceeds from these sales will directly support the festival.

Photo: Andrea Lee

Shopping & Dining

Note: The list of vendors is subject to change.

Food Vendors:

• JJ’z Treatz
• Ali‘i Fish Market
• Wrap & Roll Lunchwagon
• Veek (Vegan Burger)
• Nabeya Maido
• Da Bald Guy
• Chibi Confectionery
• Dragon Tea
• Waialua BBQ
• Str’Eats of Aloha
• Tropicold Wai
• Hott Potstickers
• Ono Viet
• Thai Lao
• Saucer King
• Saap Saap
• Khao and Papas
• Jugem
• Hawaiian Pie Co.
• 831 Cafe
• Sausage Fest Hawai‘i
• Jrs Jamaican Jerk
• Da Hub
• My Sweet World
• Corner Rolls
• ReecieB’s Onolicious Local Food
• Asato Family Shop
• Hawaiian Honey Cones
• Corn Onoz
• Sama Sama
• Kona Ice
• Mō‘ili‘ili Hongwanji Mission Concession
• Andagi

Photo: Andrea Lee

Retail and Informational Vendors:

• Kissy Hawai‘i
• Miyako & Co
• It’s About Time
• Toys & Things HI
• Mizmatched Star
• Aloha Charms
• Koa Kards
• Ku‘uipo Collection
• Cherry Blossom Festival/Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce
• Simply Sparkle Design
• Future of Cool
• The Old Taku
• Grace Under Cover
• Rainbow Proteas
• VH07V (Aloha Revolution)
• The Boujee and Blingee
• Mana Jewelry
• Momo Terrascapes
• Mise Kimono
• Beads & Things by Kori
• Pawloha
• Sumofish
• Boys and Girls Club of Honolulu
• Simply Creative
• Central Pacific Bank
• New York Life
• Honolulu Federal Credit Union
• Honolulu Fire Department
• Washington Middle School Band
• Mō‘ili‘ili Hongwanji Mission Retail
• Mō‘ili‘ili Community Center
• Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i

Bathrooms

Onsite restrooms will be provided by Event Sanitation Plus located on the makai side of the festival.

Photo: Courtesy of Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest

Where to Park

Free parking will be available at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Lower Campus with a complimentary shuttle service to the event from 4 to 11 p.m.

The festival has partnered with Shriners Children’s Hawai‘i for additional parking from 4 to 11 p.m. The cost is $15 for online presale and $20 for day of the event, with proceeds going directly to Shriners. There will be no in and out privileges for this parking option. Online presale is available here.

There will also be limited premium event parking available (Washington Middle School main lot, South King St. entrance), costing $30 from 3:30 to 10:30 p.m. It will be on a first-come, first-serve basis and will not have in and out privileges.

The Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest has also partnered with holoholo Mobility for discounted reservations. Use code MSF2025 for $5 off one way. The festival also encourages attendees to rideshare. Rideshare, taxi and handi-van drop offs are along South King St.

Photo: Courtesy of Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest

Tips

• Mask up to protect yourself and others. The Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest is one of the biggest bon dances of the season, and thousands are expected to attend.
• Bring cash to make purchasing food and retail items hassle-free. There won’t be an ATM onsite.
• Wear comfortable shoes as there will be lots of walking, standing and dancing at the event.
• Leave your furry friends at home, as pets are not allowed on the Washington Middle School/Department of Education campus. If you bring service animals, make sure they are leashed and wearing proper identification.
• Dress in your favorite yukata. But if you don’t have one, don’t worry, as traditional wear is not required, just encouraged.
• Arrive early. The free parking lots will fill up fast, and the fest is typically most crowded from 6 to 8 p.m.
• Keep an eye on keiki, and designate areas to meet up. Use the buddy system and keep phones on you to communicate.

Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest, Saturday, July 5, 5 to 10 p.m., Washington Middle School, 1633 South King St., moiliilisummerfest.org, @moiliilifest

Hailey Akau is a former editorial intern and regular contributor to HONOLULU Magazine.