Bon Dance in Hawaii

A Summer Tradition I Love

When I think of summer in Hawaii, I picture warm evenings, beautiful sunsets, and families spending time together.

And then there’s Bon Dance.

I absolutely love Bon Dance season. Every time I hear the music and see the lanterns, it takes me right back to my childhood summers in Japan. I remember the food, the dancing, the familiar songs, and those warm summer nights spent with family. Even though I’m in Hawaii now, Bon Dance still makes me feel like I’m back in Japan for just a little while. Maybe that’s why it will always be one of my favorite parts of summer.

What is Bon Dance?

Bon Dance, or Bon Odori, is part of the Japanese Obon tradition of honoring and remembering our ancestors.

Obon was brought to Hawaii by Japanese immigrants in the late 1800s, and over the years,

Bon Dance has become a special part of Hawaii’s local culture. Today, Bon Dance brings people from many different backgrounds together. You’ll find people gathering at temples and community centers across Oahu, enjoying the music, dancing, and food. And you don’t have to know the dance to join in! Just watch the people around you and follow along. 😊 Some people come wearing yukata, while others come in T-shirts and shorts. There’s really no right or wrong way to enjoy Bon Dance.

A Fun Hawaii Experience for Families

If you’re visiting Oahu with your family during the summer, I definitely recommend experiencing a Bon Dance if you have the chance. Kids can dance, run around with their friends, try some local food, and enjoy the music while

parents and grandparents join in too.

As a family photographer, I naturally notice all those little moments.A little girl excited about wearing her yukata.

A dad trying to learn the dance.

Grandparents watching their grandchildren.

Kids getting a little tired after dancing… 😂

Nothing is perfectly posed, and that’s exactly what makes it special. Those little moments become family memories.

Experience a Different Side of Hawaii

When people think about a Hawaii vacation, they often think about beaches, beautiful sunsets, and tropical scenery.

Of course, I love all of those things too!

But Hawaii is also about its people, its different cultures, and the traditions that have been passed down through generations. Bon Dance is one of those traditions.

And I think there’s something really special about experiencing it with your family.

Maybe you’ll dance together.

Maybe your kids will discover a new favorite food.

Maybe you’ll laugh because nobody quite knows the steps.

Or maybe you’ll simply sit together and enjoy the music and the warm summer evening.

Years from now, those simple moments may become some of the memories you treasure most from your Hawaii vacation.

Here’s the 2026 Bon Dance schedule! There are still a few Bon Dance events happening in September and October, so if you have the chance, I highly recommend checking one out. It’s such a special local tradition and a wonderful way to experience Hawaii’s unique culture. 🌺

https://www.honolulumagazine.com/oahu-bon-dance-schedule

Make Memories in Hawaii

As a Hawaii family photographer, I love photographing families just as they are — laughing, playing, exploring, and enjoying time together. I don’t think family photos always need to be about everyone looking at the camera.

Sometimes, the best photographs are the ones that capture what was really happening.

The way your child held your hand.

The way everyone laughed together.

The little moments you might not even notice until you look back at the photos years later. That’s what I love about family photography in Hawaii. It’s not only about remembering the beautiful beaches or the perfect sunset.

It’s about remembering how it felt to be together. So if you’re visiting Oahu during Bon Dance season, check the local schedule and see if there’s one happening during your stay. Bring your family, enjoy the music, try the food, and dance along — even if you don’t know the steps.

And take it all in.

Because someday, you may look back at those photos and realize that the simple summer evening you spent together in Hawaii became one of your favorite memories.

Aloha,

Aya 🌺