Join us at the 6th Annual Windward Mall Bon Dance Festival on Saturday, October 3 from 3:45 to 8:30 pm. This is one of the last Bon Dances of the season and it’s held in air-conditioned comfort at Center Court inside Windward Mall in Kaneohe, in partnership and collaboration with Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji Mission.
WBT will have andagi, takuan, assorted manju, and nantu (Okinawan mochi).
Hope to see you there!
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3:45 pm – 8:30 pm
Experience a traditional blessing from the top of the yagura (traditional Bon Dance tower situated in the center of the Bon Dance) at 3:45 p.m. before dancing begins at 4 p.m. The Bon Dance festival invites the community to enjoy dancing along with the festival’s dance groups featuring Ko‘olau Sakura Odori Kai, Iwakuni Odori Aiko Kai, along with dancing to the live performances of taiko drumming, playing of chimes and flutes by Aiea Taiheiji Yagura Gumi, live Okinawan music drumming, and sanshin playing with singing from Hawai‘i Eisa Shinyuu Kai.
This year, the community is invited to enjoy an intermission taiko performance by Ryugen Taiko and its guest performance by Ai Matsuda performing the Japanese shishimai. Ryugen Taiko will close its intermission performance and invite the public to participate in the traditional Niigata Ondo dance.
Tevita Apina, professionally known as Torao Hikariyama, will be the emcee for the evening. He will entertain the audience, singing several songs throughout the festival.
Windward Mall held its inaugural Bon Dance in 2019 with Windward Buddhist Temple, Ko‘olau Sakura Odori Kai, and Aiea Taiheiji Yagura Gumi. In 2022, Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji Mission moved its temple bon dance to Windward Mall as part of the annual Windward Mall Bon Dance.
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Windward Buddhist Temple will feature Andagi, Bitter Melon Namasu, and Takuan.
Kāneʻohe Higashi Hongwanji Temple will feature Edamame rice, Sekihan (red bean, sweet rice), Chichi Dango (mochi), Crispy Manju, and Japanese wares, kimono, yukatas, and crafts.