2 Nights! Friday & Saturday: Traditional bon dance music and dance

Food booths, activities, fun for all ages.

Traditional bon dance music and dance

Food booths, activities, fun for all ages.

Traditional bon dance music and dance

Food booths, activities, fun for all ages.

2 Nights! Friday & Saturday: Traditional bon dance music and dance

Food booths, activities, fun for all ages.

2 Nights! Friday & Saturday: Traditional bon dance music and dance

Food booths, activities, fun for all ages.

Community members come together to experience Japanese culture and traditions including bon dance, local and ethnic foods, dress, activities and more.

Dates and time subject to change.

2 Nights - Friday & Saturday!

The food booth will open by 5:30pm on Friday and following the Hatsu Bon service on Saturday. Cash only, please.

2 NIGHTS - Friday & Saturday!

Traditional bon dance music and dance provided by the Young Okinawans of Hawaii. There will be food booths serving oden, BBQ plates, warabi mochi, shave ice, musubi, ramen and chow fun. We will also have games for children. We offer visitors a way to pay respect for your ancestors by lighting a candle and place their name on our alter for prayer.

Friday July 12 & Saturday July 13, 2024

Community members come together to experience Japanese culture and traditions including bon dance, local and ethnic foods, dress, activities and more.

Dates and time subject to change.

2 NIGHTS – Friday and Saturday!

Traditional bon dance music and dance provided by the Young Okinawans of Hawaii. There will be food booths serving oden, BBQ plates, warabi mochi, shave ice, musubi, ramen and chow fun. We will also have games for children. We offer visitors a way to pay respect for your ancestors by lighting a candle and place their name on our alter for prayer.

The Mōʻiliʻili Summer Fest is an annual festival held during the Bon season and is a fundamental aspect of modern-day culture and life in Hawaii. Celebrating Japanese and Hawaiian roots of one of the oldest neighborhoods in Hawaii, the Mōʻiliʻili Summer Fest is home to the largest Bon dance in Honolulu.

2 Nights: Friday and Saturday

At 6 p.m., festivities begin outside with a taiko drumming performance, which will be followed by an opening aspiration from the yagura (the stage around which we dance) at 6:15 p.m. Dancing begins at 6:30 p.m.

Dancing

• Taiko drumming (PBA on Friday, temple’s group on Saturday)

• Fellowship

• Honoring ancestors

• Bontique shop in our Social Hall

• Professional photos by Studio FX3 (kimonos & assistance dressing provided!)

• Temple tours (from main, upper-level sanctuary or hondo)

• Kids’ “Wheel of Chances” game

• Ono food!

  • BBQ Plates & Bowls

  • Hot Dogs, Teri Hamburgers

  • Saimin

  • Chili

  • Soy Beans

  • Spam Musubi

  • Shave Ice

  • Andagi (Saturday only)

  • Baked Goods

  • Water, Juice, Soda

2 Nights: Friday and Saturday

At 6 p.m., festivities begin outside with a taiko drumming performance, which will be followed by an opening aspiration from the yagura (the stage around which we dance) at 6:15 p.m. Dancing begins at 6:30 p.m.

Dancing

• Taiko drumming (PBA on Friday, temple’s group on Saturday)

• Fellowship

• Honoring ancestors

• Bontique shop in our Social Hall

• Professional photos by Studio FX3 (kimonos & assistance dressing provided!)

• Temple tours (from main, upper-level sanctuary or hondo)

• Kids’ “Wheel of Chances” game

• Ono food!

  • BBQ Plates & Bowls

  • Hot Dogs, Teri Hamburgers

  • Saimin

  • Chili

  • Soy Beans

  • Spam Musubi

  • Shave Ice

  • Andagi (Saturday only)

  • Baked Goods

  • Water, Juice, Soda

“As we celebrate Obon, don't forget to look up into the night sky. As countless as the stars in the sky are, so are the teachings of our ancestors and the many lives that come into our lives. Let us take the time to contemplate that and appreciate the lives we have because of others.” - Ewa Hongwanji Reverend

2 NIGHTS! Traditional bon dance music and dance

Food booths, activities, fun for all ages.

2 NIGHTS! Traditional bon dance music and dance

Food booths, activities, fun for all ages.

This year’s celebration will once again feature 10 bon dance groups from all over Oahu. The 10 groups featured are: Ewa Fukushima Bon Dance Club Haleiwa Bon Dance Club Hawaii Eisa Shinyuu Kai Hawaii Shin Kobukai Iwakuni Odori Aiko Kai Koolau Sakura Odori Kai Oahu District Bon Dance Club Senwa Kai Wahiawa Hongwanji Bon Dance Team Waipahu Soto Mission Bon Dance Class

The celebration will also feature special performances by emcee and singer Hikariyama Torao and taiko performances by Waipahu Taiyoji Taiko and Ryugen Taiko. A special lantern floating ceremony will also take place at the village pond at sunset. A limited number of lanterns will be available for purchase at the event at the Waipahu Soto Zen Temple tent.

Parking and shuttle service will be available at Waipahu Elementary School and Hawaii Tech Academy between 3:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Donations are welcomed for the shuttle service. Limited handicap parking available on site.