Time to bon dance!

With bon dancing season upon us, we thought it would be fun to revisit what we love about these weekend festivals taking place across the islands throughout the summer. We also featured dancers from Iwakuni Okori Aiko Kai on our Frolic segment on KHON this morning.

The dancing
What’s not to love about seeing people of all ages (literally children through their great grand parents) dancing to the beat of traditional Japanese drums.

Here’s video Melissa Chang shot from the 2012 Jikoen bon dance:

The food
And of course there’s the food. Andagi. Musubi. Waffle dogs. Yakisoba. Shave ice. Chicken plates. Need we say more.

Here’s a video by Mari Taketa from a few years back previewing some of the bon dance eats you’ll find at the summer fetes:

The people watching, atmosphere and more
Here are some past shots that contributor Catherine Toth shot from the 2011 Jikoen bon dance:

It’s bon dance time!

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One of my favorite things to do in the summer months in Hawaii is hit a bon dance at a Japanese temple. It’s more than just a cultural experience; it’s got great food, too.

2014 Bon Dance Schedule – Oahu

June 21
Ewa Hongwanji – 7 p.m.

June 27, 28
Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin – 6:30 p.m.
Wahiawa Hongwanji – 6:30 p.m.


July 4
Moiliili Hongwanji – 6 p.m.

July 5
Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji – 6:30 p.m.
Moiliili Summerfest – 5 p.m.

July 11, 12
Koboji Shingon Mission – 7 p.m.
Haleiwa Shingon Mission – 7:30 p.m.
Shinshu Kyokai Mission – 7 p.m.
Waipahu Hongwanji – 7 p.m.

July 17, 18
Rissho Kose-kai Buddhist Church – 6:30 p.m.

July 18, 19
Jikoen Hongwanji – 6 p.m.
Haleiwa Jodo Mission – 8 p.m.
Wahiawa Ryusenji Soto Mission – 7 p.m.

July 19
Waianae Hongwanji – 7 p.m.

July 25, 26
Higashi Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin – 7 p.m.

July 26
Kailua Hongwanji – 7 p.m.

Aug. 1, 2
Manoa Koganji – 5:30 p.m.
Palolo Higashi Hongwanji – 7 p.m.
Waipahu Soto Zen Temple Taiyoji – 7 p.m.

Aug. 2
Waialua Hongwanji – 7 p.m.

Aug. 8, 9
Pearl City Hongwanji – 7 p.m.

Shingon Shu of Hawaii – 7 p.m.
Soto Mission of Aiea-Taiheji – 7 p.m.

Aug. 15, 16
Jodo Mission of Hawaii – 6:30 p.m.
Mililani Hongwanji – 7 p.m.

Soto Mission of Hawaii Betsuin Shoboji – 7:30 p.m.

Aug. 23
Aiea Hongwanji – 7 p.m.
Nichiren Mission of Hawaii – 6 p.m.

Aug. 30
Okinawan Festival (Kapiolani Park) – 5:30 p.m.