1727 Pali Hwy
Honolulu
HI 96813
Bon Dance 2023!!
Friday and Saturday, June 23-24
6 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. both nights
See also: Bon Dance Practices Mon., Tues., Wed.
6/19, 6/20, 6/21 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Yukata or Happi Coats are the recommended attire. However, everyone is welcomed to participate as they are!
June means the start of Obon festival time! In Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, Obon is characterized as “kangi-e” or joyful gathering. It is a festive occasion to celebrate all that we have as a living beings.
Bon Dance gives us a chance to express our gratitude to our ancestors, teachers and friends, to show appreciation to them and to express how fortunate we are to be able to listen to the Buddha’s teachings. We celebrate the opportunity that we have to follow the teachings and to embrace them in our daily lives.
- 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
Taiko at 6 p.m. both evenings!
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.
Parking: Overflow parking at Hongwanji Mission School, Soto Mission, and Kawananakoa Middle School. See parking map.
For photos and video from past Bon festivals, see our Bon Odori Gallery.