Throughout the summer months, communities across Hawaiʻi are coming together to celebrate Obon, a traditional Buddhist festival honoring ancestors and loved ones who have passed away. Rooted in Japanese Buddhist practice, the event has grown to become a multicultural gathering that draws participants and spectators from diverse backgrounds.

The Obon season in Hawaiʻi typically runs from June through August, with weekly bon dances taking place on Saturday evenings at Buddhist temples around the island. These events are open to the public and are often held in temple parking lots or on temple grounds.

The bon dance, or bon odori, is a key feature of Obon observances. It is a communal folk dance traditionally performed in a circle to the accompaniment of taiko drums and recorded music. Participants wear a colorful kimono or hapi coat, and the choreography consists of simple, rhythmic hand and foot movements designed to be accessible to everyone, regardless of experience.

“Obon is the time of the year for Buddhists to remember and be grateful for their ancestors,” said a representative of the Big Island Buddhist Federation, Ken Okimoto. “The dance is a joyful reunion with those from the past.” (Big Island Now)

Obon has been observed in Japan for more than six centuries and remains a prominent part of Japanese religious and cultural life. In Hawaiʻi, where Japanese immigrants began arriving in large numbers in the late 19th century to work on sugar plantations, Obon quickly became a cherished summer tradition. Today, the tradition mixes joy and happiness for a community with deep roots and love for those who have passed.

At night, the temple grounds for each bon dance are illuminated with paper lanterns—symbols of guiding spirits home. Along with the dancing, food vendors offer local and traditional items such as teriyaki beef skewers and andagi (Okinawan doughnuts), contributing to the festive atmosphere and providing vital support to the hosting temples.

“Most of the older longtime leaders of temples are rapidly fading out, so bon dances may also fade away very soon unless others participate and support,” Okimoto warned, emphasizing the importance of community involvement for the continuity of this cultural and spiritual tradition. (Big Island Now)

In addition to their spiritual significance, Obon events serve as critical fundraisers for Buddhist temples across the state. The proceeds help sustain the temples’ operational costs, educational and cultural programs, and the maintenance of their often century-old buildings and facilities.

“We’re really grateful for all the help from everybody,” a parishioner from Kauai’s Waimea Shingon Mission said. “We can’t do everything by ourselves. During the prep for all this food, we told people to come at a certain time. When we came, people were already here and started the work. And, they were happy. I like to see that.” (The Garden Island)

Most bon dances begin at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early, wear comfortable clothing, and join in the dancing—whether following along for the first time or carrying on a family tradition.

Despite growing concerns about generational change and declining temple membership, Obon in Hawaiʻi continues to serve as a vibrant expression of gratitude, remembrance, and community.

As the sound of taiko drums fills the air and participants move in unison under lantern-lit skies, the essence of Obon—honoring the past while building community in the present—remains very much alive across Hawaiʻi Island. Buddhism remains one of the most practiced religions in Hawaiʻi, particularly among Japanese Americans, with five per cent of the state’s inhabitants identifying as Buddhist, according to a 2023–4 Pew Research Survey. The most numerous temples affiliated there are from traditions such as Jodo Shinshu, Shingon, and Nichiren.

See more

Waimea Shingon Mission celebrates first obon of the season (The Garden Island)
Big Island embraces Buddhist cultural tradition with 27 Obon celebrations this season (Big Island Now)

Related news reports from BDG

Buddhist Temples and Japanese Americans across the US Celebrate Obon Festival
Buddhist Obon Festival Returns to Southern California after COVID Absence
Buddhist Temple in Hawai‘i Celebrates 125 Years of Service
Hawaii Buddhist Council Holds Hanamatsuri Celebration at Honpa Hongwanji

Related features from BDG

Bon Odori: A Dance with the Ancestors
Sagi Mai: Dance of the White Heron
Okina, an Endless Blessing from Long Ago
Noh Now