Your 2026 Guide to O‘ahu Bon Dance Food: Part 2
Where to find takoyaki, pastele stew, root beer floats, homemade baked goods and more while you dance under the summer skies.
Photo: Courtesy of Pālolo Hongwanji
Bon dances are about tradition, community, fun … and here in Hawai‘i, food! At least, that’s what they’ve become. Since these Buddhist folk dance festivals are usually the single biggest fundraiser of the year for the temples that organize them, we are totally onboard with the food angle.
So here’s what’s on offer at O‘ahu bon dances happening this weekend through early fall. Bon dances after August are still being planned, so we’ll fill in those menus as we can get them.
Times and dates are subject to change.
SEE ALSO: Our Guide: Bon Dances for Beginners
July 24 & 25: Pālolo Hongwanji
Where: 1641 Pālolo Ave., Pālolo
When: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Contact: 808-732-1491
Info: @palolo.hongwanji
Grinds: Food by Da Andagi Guy, Takoyaki Yamachan, Green Times Matcha, TK World, Move 4 Japan, Temple Booth, Honolulu Kapahulu Mō‘ili‘ili Lions Club, Milky Way Shave Ice LLC, Nabeya Maido, Waba Snacks, Corner Rolls, ‘Aiea Taiheiji & Waipahu Seibukan Kendo Club, Sato Seafood, Mobile Bowls, Ramen Spot Beach, Peace Café, Chubby’s Fries and Wings
July 25: ‘Aiea Hongwanji
Where: 99-186 Puakala St., ‘Aiea
When: 7 p.m.
Contact: 808-487-2626
Info: aieabuddhisttemple.org
Grinds: Chicken karaage plate (rice, furikake chicken, edamame, takuan), chili and rice bowl, chili and hot dog, plain hot dog, fried noodles, mapo tofu with rice, Spam musubi, maki sushi, andagi, andadog, shave ice
July 31 & Aug. 1: Waipahu Soto Zen Temple Taiyoji
Where: 94-413 Waipahu St., Waipahu
When: 7 to 10 p.m.
Contact: 808-671-3103
Info: sotozen.com, @waipahusotozentempletaiyoji
Grinds: Andagi (4 pieces), andadog, Okinawan soba, fried noodles (yakisoba), teri burger, Spam musubi, croquette (2 pieces), takoyaki (8 pieces), Japanese beef stew, pastele stew (Friday only), kim chee soup (Saturday only), BBQ chicken, chicken wings & french fries, drinks, shave ice, ice cream
Aug. 7 & 8: Soto Mission of ‘Aiea-Taiheiji
Where: 99-045 Kauhale St., ‘Aiea
When: 7 to 10 p.m.
Contact: 808-488-6794
Info: sotomission.com, @aieataiheiji
Grinds: Lau lau plate, shoyu chicken plate, teri burger, chili, chili cheese nachos, hot dog, fried noodles, saimin, andagi, shave ice
Photo: Andrea Lee
Aug. 7 & 8: Shingon Mission of Hawai‘i
Where: 915 Sheridan St., Ala Moana
When: 6 to 10 p.m.
Contact: 808-941-5663
Info: shingonshuhawaii.com, @shingonhawaii
Grinds: Ramen, takoyaki, andagi, bentos, chili, curry
Aug. 8: Pearl City Hongwanji Mission
Where: 858 2nd St., Pearl City
When: 7 to 10 p.m.
Contact: 808-455-1680
Info: pearlcityhongwanji.com
Grinds: Mini lau lau (new), shoyu chicken, Spam musubi, fried noodles, hamburgers, shave ice (“Last year we set a record of like 300 servings”), baked goods and new root beer float at the country store; kettle corn, Da Andagi Guy
Aug. 14 & 15: Soto Mission of Hawai‘i
Where: 1708 Nu‘uanu Ave., Nu‘uanu
When: 7 to 10 p.m.
Contact: 808-537-9409
Info: sotomission.org, @sotomission
Grinds: Teriyaki chicken plate, mini hamburger steak plate, chili rice bowl, chili dog, chili cheese nachos, fried noodles, teri burger, hot dog, saimin, andagi, shave ice
Aug. 21 & 22: Mililani Hongwanji
Where: 95-257 Kaloapau St., Mililani
When: 7 to 10 p.m.
Contact: 808-625-0925
Info: mililanihongwanji.org, @mililanihongwanji
Grinds: Food by Kona Ice, Roselani ice cream, The Yatai Stop, TacosNthingz, Waialua BBQ, Clubhouse Mililani (smash burgers and fries and takoyaki), chow fun, hamburger steak plate, BBQ chicken plate, Reecie B’s, Olomana Bros lemonade
Aug. 22: Jodo Mission of Hawai‘i
Where: 1429 Makiki St., Makiki
When: 5 to 9:30 p.m.
Contact: 808-949-3995
Info: jodo.us
Grinds: Garlic chicken bento, maki sushi, Spam musubi, various other musubi, chicken curry rice bowl & vegetable curry rice bowl, chili rice bowl, chili with nacho cheese, hot dog with chili and nacho cheese, hamburger deluxe, yaki mochi, andagi, shaved ice, saimin, ramen, Dragon Beat taiko group’s tonjiru pork miso soup, drinks, waffle dogs
Aug. 29: Autumn Matsuri by Senwa Kai
Where: Pālama Settlement, 810 N. Vineyard Blvd., Kalihi-Pālama
When: 5 to 9 p.m.
Contact: 808-848-2500
Grinds: TBD
Sept. 12: Megabon
Where: Leeward Community College, 96-045 Ala ‘Ike, Pearl City
When: 3:45 to 9 p.m
Info: megabonhawaii.com, @megabonhawaii
Grinds: TBD
Sept. 12: Honbushin International Center
Where: 95-030 Waihonu St., Mililani
When: 1 to 4 p.m.
Contact: 808-623-7693
Info: hichawaii.com, @hichawaii
Grinds: TBD
Sept. 19: Autumn Okinawan Dance Matsuri
Where: Hawai‘i Okinawa Center, 94-587 Uke‘e St., Waipahu
When: 5 to 9 p.m.
Contact: 808-676-5400
Info: huoa.org
Grinds: Andagi, andadog and more TBD
Oct. 3: Windward Mall Center Court
Where: 46-056 Kamehameha Highway, Kāne‘ohe
When: 3:45 to 8:30 p.m.
Contact: 808-235-1143
Info: windwardmall.com, @windwardmall
Grinds: TBD
Mari Taketa is editor of Frolic Hawai‘i and dining editor of HONOLULU Magazine.
Kayla Luke Colon is the 2026 summer editorial intern for HONOLULU Magazine and a journalism student at UC Irvine.
