bon dance

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4th Annual Windward Mall Bon Dance

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We had a great time at the 4th Annual Windward Mall Bon Dance last Saturday, October 5th. Mahalo to Windward Mall and our co-partner, Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji Mission, for another great Bon Dance in Kaneohe. This batch of photos is from our booth, where we sold takuan, manju, tsukemono, nantu, and more -- all made by our members at WBT. Mahalo to our volunteers and thank you to everyone who patiently waited in line for andagi!

Cooking Andagi

A big mahalo to our hard-working andagi crew. This team worked straight through for hours to mix, cook, and pack hundreds of freshly made andagi for the Bon Dance.

Bon Dance | Kailua 2024

Country Market

Food Concession

Bon Dance 2024: Building the Yagura

“Some Assembly Required”

Mahalo to the team that assembled the yagura this morning for next week's Bon Dance. Our yagura is a bit unique in that it can be completely disassembled for storage. Each year the team puts all the pieces together, along with the lights and chochin (lanterns). We hope to see everyone on Saturday, July 13 at WBT!

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Bon Dance | Kailua 2023

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A big mahalo out to everyone who joined us in Kailua for Windward Buddhist Temple's first Bon Dance at our temple in 4 years. We hope everyone enjoyed themselves, whether it was finding treasure at the Rummage Sale, getting a tub of takuan at the Country Market, enjoying ono andagi and BBQ stick dinner plates at the food booth, cooling down with shave ice by the Junior YBAs, learning about our temple from Rev. Brennan and Rev. Sumikawa, or simply dancing the night away around the yagura.

We were amazed at not only how many came from the Windward side, but from just about all over the island to attend our Bon Dance. The Obon season truly is a time to come together as a community and celebrate those who came before us. Thank you to all!

Around the Yagura

Food Booth

Country Market & Rummage Sale

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2nd Annual Windward Mall Bon Dance

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Bishop Eric and Tamayo Matsumoto enjoying the Bon dance and WBT’s takuan

Watch highlights of the Bon Dance by PhotoLukeHawaii Travels and Bon Dance

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Bon Dance Festival at Windward Mall

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In collaboration with Windward Buddhist Temple, Windward Mall in Kaneohe hosted their first ever indoor Bon Dance Festival on Saturday, October 5, 2019. Attendees danced in air conditioned comfort around our yagura, repainted for the Bon Dance and relocated to the mall’s air conditioned Center Court.

WBT’s Keiji Kukino served as the emcee for the Bon Dance, which took place from 2 pm to 4 pm and featured members of the Ko’olau Sakura Odori Kai and Aiea Taiheiji Yagura Gumi.

At the Windward Buddhist Temple booth, our famous andagi, as well as homemade takuan, boiled peanuts, and Bon Dance towels were available for purchase. The food items sold out before the end of the Bon Dance! White paper fans were the perfect canvas for creative keiki (and adults), who stopped by to customize them with their own personalized artwork.

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Bon Dance 2019

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The 2019 Windward Buddhist Temple Bon Dance was held on Saturday, July 13, 2019. We were fortunate to have great weather!

The food concession was a success with andagi selling out by 8:30. Mahalo to the United Jr. YBA of Honolulu for running their shave ice booth and to Mats and Betty Okamoto for donating and manning the plant sale desk.

This year we had a Country Store inside the hall that sold the in demand WBT’s takuan and several varieties of manju, chutney, bittermelon namasu, etc. Minature plants called Kokedama sold well. Gently used books and creative photo cards were also available.

Once again, beautiful, creative ikebana (flower arrangement) were on display by the Ohara School of Ikebana. Members John & Joy Nishida (JT Nish) provided the sound system and set up huge outside speakers. Live music from the Okinawan group, Aiea Taiheiji and Iwakuni groups highlighted the evening’s festivities.

Bon Dance is a large undertaking – Mahalo everyone who helped with this year's Bon Dance and also mahalo to our guests that came to patronize our concession and enjoy the music and danced the night away. See you again next year!

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Obon 2018: Kailua Hongwanji Bon Dance

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Bon Dance 2017

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Hundreds came together to eat, dance, and remember those who've passed before us at Kailua Honganji's Bon Dance on Saturday, July 22, 2017.

Food Booth

Jr. YBA's shave ice booth proved popular on a warm summer night.