Every summer, Big Island residents gather in their brightly-colored and floral-decorated yukata (robe), and join together in dance, food, music and prayer to signify the beginning of Obon season.
The Obon season, a Buddhist tradition, honors the spirits of passed loved ones with festivities that include bon dancing, or Bon Odori, taiko drumming, and other customs that have been practiced in Hawai’i for over a century. Obon was first introduced to Hawaiʻi in the late 19th century by Japanese immigrants.
During this time, beginning in June and lasting through Labor Day, Japanese Buddhist temples across the island and the state host and honor this longstanding practice.
On Saturday, the Kona Hongwanji Buddhist Temple and Daifukuji Soto Mission kicked off the season in West Hawai’i with the O-bon Fest at the Maka’eo Pavillion at the Old Kona Airport Beach Park in Kailua-Kona.
The free community bon dance for West Hawai’i showcased a pop-up craft fair featuring several food vendors, as well as lauhala weaving by the Kona Weavers who offered participants a chance to make their own bracelets.
Here is a list from the Big Island Buddhist Federation featuring more O-bon festivities happening on Hawai’i Island this month:
June 22 Sat., 7 pm dance Honomu Henjoji (Odaishisan)
June 29 Sat., 5:30 pm dance Kohala Hongwanji Mission
July 6 Sat., 6 pm dance Puna Hongwanji Mission
July 13 Sat., 3 pm dance Kona Daifukuji Soto Mission
July 13 Sat., 7 pm dance Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin
July 13 Sat., 7 pm dance Paauilo Hongwanji Mission
July 20 Sat., 6 pm dance Keei Buddhist Church
July 20 Sat., 7 pm dance Honokaa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple
July 20 Sat., 7 pm dance Hilo Meishoin
July 27 Sat., 6:30 pm dance Hilo Hooganji Mission (Odaishisan)
July 27 Sat., 6 pm dance Kona Hongwanji Mission
Aug. 3 Sat., TBD Taishoji Soto Mission in Hilo
Aug. 3 Sat., 7 pm dance Kurtistown Jodo Mission
Aug. 3 Sat., 6 pm dance Hawi Jodo Mission
Aug. 10 Sat., 7 pm dance Hilo Higashi Hongwanji Mission
Aug. 10 Sat., 7 pm dance Hamakua Jodo Mission
Aug. 10 Sat., 6:30 pm dance Kona Koyasan Daishiji
Aug. 16 Fri., 6 pm dance Life Care Center in Hilo
Aug. 17 Sat., 7 pm dance Hakalau Jodo Mission
Aug. 17 Sat., 7 pm dance Kamuela Hongwanji Mission
Aug. 24 Sat., 2 pm dance Honohina-Papaaloa Hongwanji (at Honohina)
Aug. 25 Sun., 5 pm Tooro Nagashi by N.Hawaii Hospice at the Fairmont Orchid Hotel (not a dance)
Aug. 31 Sat., 7 pm Hilo Daijingu, 10 Anela St.
Sep. 14 Sat., 5:30 pm Combined Pahala & Naalehu Hongwanji in Naalehu
***Information was updated at 2:42 p.m. to include event dates.***
