HONOLULU (KHON2) — One of Hawaiʻi’s most interesting cultural expressions is the bon dance. Brought to Hawaiʻi by Japanese immigrants in 1925, these festivals have grown to several of these events that span July and August each year.
The first bon dance in Hawaiʻi was held at Honpa Hongwanji Hawai‘i Betsuin, and the temple continues to be the standard bearer for what a bon dance is for our communities.
Bon Dance, or Bon Odori, is a special dance performed during Obon, a Japanese holiday to honor and remember ancestors who have passed away. People believe the dance helps welcome the spirits of the dead.
Men, women and children all join in to dance in a circle with each region in Japan having its own version of the dance and music that was brought to Hawaiʻi.
The Honpa Hongwanji Hawai‘i Betsuin Bon Dance lit up the heart of Honolulu on June 27 and 28. Colorful yukata, the sound of taiko drums and long rows of lanterns drew hundreds to the temple grounds for two nights of celebration, remembrance and joy.
“Bon dance is a time when we remember our departed loved ones,” said Rimban Yuika Hasebe. “Everybody loves someone precious, you know? This is a good time to remember them and express our appreciation to them.”
For Hasebe, originally from Japan, Hawai‘i bon dances stand out for their sense of community.
“My first very big experience about the bon dance is Hawai‘i. I love how Hawai‘i bon dances and people here come together to celebrate,” she said. “There are some traditional music and some are really late pop music, but everybody gathers and dances. That’s really special about here.”
Bon dances are more than music and motion. They honor the lives of those who came before and bring generations together.
Rick Tabor, a board member, event organizer and longtime volunteer at the temple, recalled his first bon dance experience 25 years ago.
“We would come to the dances here. And one year we went with my niece, my sister-in-law and all of their friends,” he said. “We were standing over here, and my niece said, I’m going to go out and dance and record you.”
Tabor said that moment turned comedic when the next song started.
“I did not know what I was doing. So, I started clowning around. And she’s filming,” Tabor explained. “There’s a lady behind me going nuts. I’m just being totally delirious. I’m having a good time. But she’s not.”
Now, Tabor serves as co-chair of the event and helps to pass on the experience to new generations.
Dexter Mar, minister’s assistant and temple historian, shared how bon dances build bonds across neighborhoods and backgrounds.
“It’s a real community effort. There’s a lot of military and volunteers that help,” Mar said. “It’s packed and very joyful and kind of an exciting kickoff to bon dance season.”
Volunteers, including Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts from Troop 49, helped prepare for weeks ahead of the event.
“We start to plan about four months prior to the date,” said Wendy Harman of Honpa Hongwanji Hawai‘i Betsuin and organizer for boy and girl scout volunteers. “It involves the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and all of the village of the temple.”
Scouts weren’t just helpers; they led the effort.
“We try to make it scout led; so, they know the importance of working hard and giving back to their community,” Harman said. “Everything that you see today has been set up by Troop 49, Boy Scouts.”
The 73rd Cherry Blossom Festival court joined the festivities and connected cultural traditions with modern leadership.
“We are here with the Cherry Blossom Festival helping out at different bon dances throughout the summer,” said Queen Ariel Sanders. “The Cherry Blossom Festival is one of the longest continuously running ethnic festivals here in Hawai‘i, celebrating Japanese culture and empowering women.”
“We are super excited to be out here today and hopefully for you guys the rest of the summer,” she added.
You can click here to learn more about Honpa Hongwanji Hawai‘i Betsuin.
The Honpa Hongwanji bon dance, steeped in meaning and memory, keeps building bridges between generations. Whether through music, movement or shared memories, it remains a living story of Hawai‘i’s Japanese heritage and the strength of its communities.