Hawaii Betsuin welcomed hundreds of sangha and community members on June 27 and 28, 2025, for Bon Dance. The weather was favorable, the sound was good, the teamwork was commendable, and the vibe was joyful.

Thank you to all who attended and volunteered in so many ways to make the 2025 Bon Dance possible! You are part of keeping a meaningful tradition going strong and supporting Hawaii Betsuin in its mission.

Here are some photos and video to provide a flavor of the festival. 😊 🙏 (Photos courtesy of Rick Tabor and David Atcheson)

Rimban Hasebe in yagura (Bon Dance ’25, Fri.)Rimban Hasebe in yagura (Bon Dance ’25, Fri.)
Pacific Buddhist Academy Taiko kicks things off (Bon Dance ’25, Fri.)Pacific Buddhist Academy Taiko kicks things off (Bon Dance ’25, Fri.)
Pacific Buddhist Academy Taiko kicks things off (Bon Dance ’25, Fri.)Pacific Buddhist Academy Taiko kicks things off (Bon Dance ’25, Fri.)
Bon Dance ’25, Fri.Bon Dance ’25, Fri.
Darren and Dennis at the audio/announcing booth (Bon Dance ’25, Fri.)Darren and Dennis at the audio/announcing booth (Bon Dance ’25, Fri.)
Darren and Dennis survey the crowd from the audio/announcing booth (Bon Dance ’25, Fri.)Darren and Dennis survey the crowd from the audio/announcing booth (Bon Dance ’25, Fri.)
Enjoying shave ice! (Bon Dance ’25, Fri.)Enjoying shave ice! (Bon Dance ’25, Fri.)
Estelle Araki (Bon Dance ’25, Fri.)Estelle Araki (Bon Dance ’25, Fri.)
Alan Goto (Bon Dance ’25, Fri.)Alan Goto (Bon Dance ’25, Fri.)
Dad’s got your back while surveying the festival from outside the Annex TempleScouts join in for a favorite dance (Bon Dance ’25, Sat.)Dad’s got your back while surveying the festival from outside the Annex TempleScouts join in for a favorite dance (Bon Dance ’25, Sat.)
Great weather! (Bon Dance ’25, Sat.)Great weather! (Bon Dance ’25, Sat.)
Orientations to the temple (“temple tours”) provided on the hour in the hondo by Dexter MarDarren and Dennis at the audio/announcing booth (Bon Dance ’25, Fri.)Orientations to the temple (“temple tours”) provided on the hour in the hondo by Dexter MarDarren and Dennis at the audio/announcing booth (Bon Dance ’25, Fri.)
Making ribbons to display in the hondoDarren and Dennis at the audio/announcing booth (Bon Dance ’25, Fri.)Making ribbons to display in the hondoDarren and Dennis at the audio/announcing booth (Bon Dance ’25, Fri.)
Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke with Cindy and Rick (Bon Dance ’25, Fri.)Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke with Cindy and Rick (Bon Dance ’25, Fri.)
boy holding shave ice sign (Bon Dance ’25, Fri.)boy holding shave ice sign (Bon Dance ’25, Fri.)
When making a donation at the choba booth, attendees had could choose to put their own name or those of departed loved ones on the lineScouts join in for a favorite dance (Bon Dance ’25, Sat.)When making a donation at the choba booth, attendees had could choose to put their own name or those of departed loved ones on the lineScouts join in for a favorite dance (Bon Dance ’25, Sat.)
Dexter offers on-the-hour orientations to the temple in the hondoScouts join in for a favorite dance (Bon Dance ’25, Sat.)Dexter offers on-the-hour orientations to the temple in the hondoScouts join in for a favorite dance (Bon Dance ’25, Sat.)
Project Dana had an information stationScouts join in for a favorite dance (Bon Dance ’25, Sat.)Project Dana had an information stationScouts join in for a favorite dance (Bon Dance ’25, Sat.)
Welcoming attendees to the temple toursScouts join in for a favorite dance (Bon Dance ’25, Sat.)Welcoming attendees to the temple toursScouts join in for a favorite dance (Bon Dance ’25, Sat.)
New seating area outside the Annex HallScouts join in for a favorite dance (Bon Dance ’25, Sat.)New seating area outside the Annex HallScouts join in for a favorite dance (Bon Dance ’25, Sat.)
A young fan talks with Cherry Blossom Festival royaltyScouts join in for a favorite dance (Bon Dance ’25, Sat.)A young fan talks with Cherry Blossom Festival royaltyScouts join in for a favorite dance (Bon Dance ’25, Sat.)
Cherry Blossom Festival Court helped at the choba/donations boothScouts join in for a favorite dance (Bon Dance ’25, Sat.)Cherry Blossom Festival Court helped at the choba/donations boothScouts join in for a favorite dance (Bon Dance ’25, Sat.)
All smiles at Bontique checkoutScouts join in for a favorite dance (Bon Dance ’25, Sat.)All smiles at Bontique checkoutScouts join in for a favorite dance (Bon Dance ’25, Sat.)
Scouts join in for a favorite dance (Bon Dance ’25, Sat.)Scouts join in for a favorite dance (Bon Dance ’25, Sat.)
A dance toward the end of the evening (Bon Dance ’25, Sat.)A dance toward the end of the evening (Bon Dance ’25, Sat.)
Scouts join in for a favorite dance (Bon Dance ’25, Sat.)Scouts join in for a favorite dance (Bon Dance ’25, Sat.)
Event pau, near midnight meal for scouts and other volunteers staying late (Bon Dance ’25, Sat.)Event pau, near midnight meal for scouts and other volunteers staying late (Bon Dance ’25, Sat.)