Big Island Bon Dance Schedule for Summer 2012

Experiencing another culture always seems to enrich my life, add to my human experience, and can also be downright fun! Living in Japan for the majority of my life I’ve had the opportunity to participate in numerous traditional cultural events and festivals.

Japanese Customs and Traditions

The Japanese celebrate each season in its own unique way. Spring brings the “Hana-mi” (flower viewing) and “Sakura Matsuri” (Cherry blossom festivals), Fall has its’ “Momiji-gari” (Autumn leaf hunts), and Winter brings the ever popular “Yuki Matsuri” (Snow festivals), but the Summer festival “Natsu Matsuri” season brings my personal favorite, the “Bon-Odori”.

bon_dance

“Obon”, or just “Bon” as it is more commonly referred to, is a Japanese Buddhist custom to honor the spirits of one’s ancestors. This Buddhist custom has evolved into a family reunion type holiday, during which people return to their ancestral homes to visit and clean their ancestors’ graves.

They welcome their ancestors back with song, dance, and locally produced foods and products. It has been celebrated in Japan for more than 500 years, and traditionally includes a dance, known as “Bon-Odori”.

“Bon-Odori” on the Big Island

The Big Island of Hawaii has a large population of Japanese descendants who have continued to uphold this time honored Summer tradition. “Bon-Odori” – which literally means “Bon dance” - is a style of dancing performed during Obon.

The way in which the dance is performed usually differs by region, though the typical Bon dance involves people lining up in a circle around a tall wooden scaffold made especially for the festival called a “yagura”. The yagura also often doubles as the bandstand for the musicians and singers of the Obon music. Some of the dances proceed clockwise, while other dances proceed counter-clockwise around the yagura.

The Big Island of Hawaii OBon Festival Season 2012 starts in Kona at the Keauhou Shopping Center on Saturday, June 9 from 6:00PM – 10:00 PM. Admission is free, and free Bon Dance towels on a first come, first served basis. So come and enjoy the Kona Daifukuji Taiko and Kona Hongwanji Taiko musicians while you learn to Bon dance.

Big Island Bon Dance Schedule

June 9, 2012 at 6-10 PM O-Bon Festival at Keauhou Shopping Center
June 23, 2012 at 7 PM Papaikou Hongwanji Mission: (808) 964-1640
June 30, 2012 at 7 PM Honomu Hongwanji Mission: (808) 963-6032
July 6 & 7 2012 at 7:30 PM Puna Hongwanji Mission: (808) 966-9981
July 7, 2012 at 7 PM Kohala Hongwanji Mission: (808) 775-7232
July 13 & 14, 2012 at 7 PM Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin: (808) 961-6677
July 14, 2012 at 7:30 PM Paauilo Hongwanji Mission: (808) 776-1369
July 21, 2012 at 7:30 PM Honokaa Hongwanji Mission: (808) 775-7232
July 28, 2012 at 7 PM Papaaloa Hongwanji Mission: (808) 962-6340
July 28, 2012 at 7 PM Kona Hongwanji Mission: (808) 323-2993
(Call office for date/time) Naalehu Hongwanji Mission: (808) 966-9981
(Call office for date/time) Pahala Hongwanji Mission: (808) 928-8254
August 18, 2012 at 7:30 PM Kamuela Hongwanji Mission: (808) 885-4481
August 25, 2012 at 7 PM Honohina Hongwanji Mission: (808) 963-6032

*This schedule is subject to change. Please contact the temple office for more detailed information.

Interested in More Information or Want to “Talk Story”?

Hawaii is the ultimate collaboration of culture and people living harmoniously together. This way of life was the main reason why I chose the Big Island of Hawaii. If you are considering moving to the Big Island of Hawaii, or are in the market for real estate anywhere along the sunny Kona coastline, please contact me anytime for a no obligation “talk story” about why I make Kona home. Let me help you to live your best Hawaii life!

Please feel free to contact me anytime at:

Todd W. Barrett, Realtor(S), ABR
Direct: 808.937.1629
Email: Todd@HawaiiLife.com

Big Island, Events, Festivals, Hawaii, Kohala Coast, Kona, Life

About Todd Barrett, R(S)

I believe that the only way you can have a successful career in real estate is to be extraordinarily honest, and committed to the best interests of your clients. That means telling the truth, even when it's not easy. Or going the extra mile when it requires last minute TLC (on weekends, on a holiday, or at 8:00 p.m.). My clients expect nothing less than the best - and I've built my career on delivering it. For me, real estate is an all-consuming passion. I love the thrill of finding a diamond in the rough, or coming out on the winning side of a tough negotiation. I know the Big Island like the back of my hand, and I relish showing it off to my clients. When I started 15 years ago, I thought real estate was one of the best investments you can make. And 16 years later, I know it is - as a REALTOR, as an investor, and as a homeowner.

Get in touch: (808) 937-1629, Blog , Email , Website , Twitter , Facebook

2 Responses to “Big Island Bon Dance Schedule for Summer 2012”

Heidi White
June 9, 2012 at 3:29 pm #

Aloha Todd, I caught your blog just in time to go to the first one in Keauhou tonight! Thanks for sharing this fun tradition in Hawaii (and Japan)!

- Todd W. Barrett, R(S), ABR
  June 10, 2012 at 10:28 am #
  
  Awesome Heidi! I hope that you had a great time. There are so many traditions and activities to enjoy here in Kona, look for more informative post to come!