On Saturday, February 25, 2023, Windward Buddhist Temple joined other churches for a Windward Interfaith clean-up activity at the Hamakua Marsh State Wildlife Sanctuary in Kailua.
2nd Annual Windward Mall Bon Dance
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
3rd Annual Ring Your Bell for Peace Day
Visit to Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji
Mahalo to Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji Mission for welcoming us to visit their temple and to attend the Sunday Dharma Service today. Thank you Rev. Sawada and the Kaneohe Higashi sangha!
Look for more information about our joint Bon Dance at Windward Mall soon. It is scheduled for Saturday, October 1, 2022 from 4 to 8 pm. More details to follow.
Earth Day 2022: Kuulei Road Clean Up
Happy Earth Day! On Saturday, April 23, 2022, WBT members and families cleaned up Kuulei Road in Kailua, which is the street fronting the temple.
Martin Luther King Jr Day Donation Drive
Bon Dance Festival at Windward Mall
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.
Bon Dance 2019
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!
Obon 2018: Kailua Hongwanji Bon Dance
Bon Dance 2017
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.
