Wailuku Jodo Mission was one the temples beginning the Bon Dance season on Maui in June. Other Bon Dances take place through August. Courtesy photo

The 2025 Bon Dance season with a blend of traditional Buddhist rituals and Hawaii food

continues this summer.

Beginning in early June and running through mid-August, temples across the island are opening their grounds for evenings of dancing, music, food and remembrance.

The Bon Festival, or Obon, is steeped in Buddhist tradition and honors the memory of loved ones who have passed. The heart of it is the Bon Dance – a circle of dancers moving together under lanterns’ glow, accompanied by the beat of taiko drums and Japanese folk songs.

It’s a time for families and friends to reconnect and reflect and newcomers to experience aloha in motion.

Japanese immigrants working at sugarcane plantations in Hawaii brought their traditions and their culture during early waves of their migration as early as the 1880s.

Each temple will host an evening service prior to the dance, welcoming attendees to join in offering prayers for departed loved ones.

Residents and visitors are invited to join in on a number of upcoming events including:

Saturday, June 28

Kahului Jodo Mission

Service 6:30 p.m.; dance 7:30 p.m.

325 Laau St., Kahului

(808) 871-4911, johnhara@gmail.com

Friday, July 11, and Saturday, July 12

Pāʻia Mantokuji Soto Zen Mission

Service only 6 p.m. July 11 (No Bon Dance)

Dance only at 7 p.m. July 12 (no service); Taiko at 6 p.m.

253 Hana Highway, Paia

(808) 579-8051, info@paiamantokuji.org

Friday, July 18, and Saturday, July 19

Kahului Hongwanji Mission

Service 6 p.m. and dance 7:30 p.m. both nights

291 S. Puunene Ave., Kahului

(808) 871-4732, kahuluihongwanjimission@gmail.com

Friday, July 25, and Saturday, July 26

Makawao Hongwanji Mission

Service 5 p.m. and dance 7 p.m. both nights

1074 Makawao Ave., Makawao

(808) 572-7229 makawaohongwanji@gmail.com

Monday, July 28

w6:30-9 p.m.

Guzeiji Soto Mission of Molokaʻi

90 Hotel Lane

(808) 553-5197

Friday, Aug. 1, and Saturday, Aug. 2

Wailuku Hongwanji Mission

Service 6:30 p.m. and dance 7:45 p.m. both nights

1828 Vineyard St., Wailuku

(808) 244-0406, whm@wailukuhongwanji.org

Saturday, Aug. 9

6:30 p.m.

Lahaina Community Bon Dance (Lahaina Cannery Mall parking lots)

Saturday, Aug.16

Pāʻia Rinzai Zen Mission

Service 6 p.m.; dance 7 p.m.

120 Alawai Road, Paia

(808) 579-9921, monk.sen@rinzai-maui.org

Saturday, Aug.16

6 p.m.

Lānaʻi Hongwanji Mission

1364 Frasier Ave.

(808) 565-6817, hongwanjilanai@me.com

Saturday, Aug. 23

Kula Shofukuji Mission

Service 6:30 p.m.; dance 7:30 p.m.

113 Puanani Place, Kula

(808) 661-0466, mail.lahainashingon.org

Sunday, Sept. 7

Hāna Buddhist Temple

1819 Hana Highway

(808) 248-7010, hanabuddhisttemple@gmail.com