What to Eat at O‘ahu’s First Bon Dance of 2023 This Saturday

The lineup at Hawai‘i’s Plantation Village includes andagi, huli huli chicken, bento and baked goods.

Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino

Oʻahu’s bon dance festival season kicks off this Saturday, June 3, at Hawai‘i’s Plantation Village’s 33rd Annual Obon Celebration. Though the bon dance starts at 4 p.m., food vendors will be ready for hungry visitors by 3:30 p.m., filling bellies for an evening of come one, come all dancing led by troupes from across the island and taiko performances from 4 to 4:30 p.m.

Hawai‘i’s Plantation Village advises you to bring cash if you can (only bills up to $20, please), although Visa and Mastercard credit cards will be accepted. And bring your own chairs and mats if you want to watch the dancing or rest in between the different numbers.

SEE ALSO: O‘ahu Bon Dance Schedule 2023

Here’s the vendor food lineup:

Da Andagi Guy — The popularity of these sweet Okinawan fried doughnuts has soared in Hawai‘i, and during bon dance season, Guy Ujimori estimates he cooks around 8,000.
KC Waffle Dog — Did you know these waffle dogs have been around since 1934?
Kona Ice — shave ice
Moa Ono Chicken — huli huli chicken plate

Hawai‘i’s Plantation Village volunteers will also be selling:

Bento and maki sushi from K’s Bento-Ya
Chili hot dog bento and kalua pork and cabbage bento from $5 Bento Box
Baked goods (cookies, brownies, mochi), Spam musubi and somen salad made by volunteers

Hawaii Plantation Village Bon Dance Pc Aric Tanimoto

Photo: Courtesy of Aric Tanimoto

Aside from the museum gift shop, a country store, and pop-up crafts tents, Hawai‘i’s Plantation Village will also open its Historical Exhibition Room where you can learn about immigration history and plantation life and see the traveling exhibit “Generational Legacies: Santa Fe Internment Camp,” which is on display until Aug. 31.

Park at Hawai‘i Technology Academy or Waipahu Elementary School—there will be free shuttles to and from the bon dance between 2:30 and 10:30 p.m.