Obon お盆 (Lantern Festival) is a multi-day Buddhist holiday to honor the spirits of our ancestors. It is believed that they will annually visit the physical world. Obon was first introduced to Hawaiʻi in the late 19th century by Japanese immigrants working on the plantations.

The official dates for Obon vary by region, but will most likely be August 13 - 15 based on the lunar calendar. We celebrate Obon in Hawaiʻi from June through September. Check out our list of local bon dance spots. These events are typically fundraisers for a temple or organization.

On the first day of Obon, families will clean their ancestors’ graves, chant (or pray/reflect), and leave offerings such as flowers and food along with chōchin 提灯 (paper lanterns). Mukae-bon 迎え盆 (to welcome) is a ritual used to call spirits back home. Some people hang lanterns outside their homes, while others will light mukae-bi 迎え火 (welcoming fires).

Families with altars may make shōryō uma 精霊馬 (spirit horses) out of vegetables to give their ancestors comfort in travel. Cucumber horses will give ancestors speed as they return home, while eggplant cows slowly carry offerings as they depart.

The second day of Obon is dedicated to bon odori 盆踊り (bon dance), a traditional Japanese dance that has been practiced for over 600 years. Dances are performed in appreciation of our ancestors’ sacrifices. In Hawaiʻi, hatsubon 初盆 (first memorial service for those who have passed since the last obon season) is held before the bon dance.

Okuri-bon 送り盆 (to send off) is a ritual for the last day of Obon. Families will light a candle in a toro nagashi 灯籠流し (floating lantern) that is then placed in water to help our ancestors return to the spirit world. An okuribi 送り火 (ceremonial bonfire) may also be used. In Hawaiʻi, Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaiʻi is held in remembrance of those we miss.

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2024 Obon Schedule

O'AHU

  • June 1 - Hawai‘i’s Plantation Village (4 - 10 PM)
  • June 7 - Pan Pacific Festival, Kalākaua Ave. (7 - 10 PM)
  • June 15 - Ewa Hongwanji
  • June 21 & 22 - Wahiawā Hongwanji (6 - 10 PM)
  • June 28 & 29 - Honpa Hongwanji Hawai‘i Betsuin (6 - 10:30 PM)
  • July 6 - 11th Annual Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest (5 - 10 PM)
  • July 12 & 13 (tentative) - Hale‘iwa Shingon Mission
  • July 12 & 13 - Koboji Shingon Mission (7 PM & 9 AM)
  • July 12 & 13 - Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Church of Hawai‘i (6 - 9 PM)
  • July 12 & 13 - Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawai‘i (7 - 10 PM)
  • July 13 - Windward Buddhist Temple (6 -10 PM)
  • July 13 - Waipahu Hongwanji (7 PM)
  • July 19 & 20 - Wahiawā Ryusenji-Soto Mission (7 - 10 PM)
  • July 19 & 20 - Shinshu Kyokai Mission (7 - 10 PM)
  • July 20 - Jikoen Hongwanji Buddhist Temple (5 PM)
  • July 20 - Wai‘anae Hongwanji Mission
  • July 26 & 27 - Hale‘iwa Jodo Mission (7 PM)
  • July 26 & 27 - Palolo Hongwanji
  • August 2 & 3 - Waipahu Soto Zen Temple Taiyoji (7 - 10 PM)
  • August 9 & 10 - Shingon Mission of Hawai‘i
  • August 9 & 10 - Soto Mission of ‘Aiea–Taiheiji (6 - 10 PM)
  • August 10 - Pearl City Hongwanji Mission (7 - 10 PM)
  • August 16 & 17 - Mililani Hongwanji (7 PM)
  • August 17 - Jodo Mission of Hawai‘i (5 PM)
  • August 24 - ‘Aiea Hongwanji (7 PM)
  • August 31 & September 1 - Okinawan Festival, Hawai‘i Convention Center
  • September 7 - Megabon (5 - 9 PM)
  • September 21 - Autumn Okinawan Dance Matsuri

BIG ISLAND

  • May 26 - Hawaii Care Choices, Reeds Bay (3:30 - 4:30 PM)
  • June 15 - Makaeo at Old Airport (Kona Hongwanji) (5 - 9 PM)
  • June 15 - Papaikou Hongwanji (6 - 9:30 PM)
  • June 22 - Honomu Henjoji (7 - 10 PM)
  • July 6 - Puna Hongwanji (6 - 10 PM)
  • July 13 - Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin (7 - 10 PM)
  • July 13 - Kona Daifukuji Soto Mission (3:30 - 6:30 PM)
  • July 13 - Paauilo Hongwanji
  • July 20 - Hilo Meisho-in (7 - 10 PM)
  • July 20 - Keei Hongwanji (Kona Hongwanji) (6 PM)
  • July 20 - Honokaa Hongwanji
  • July 27 - Hilo Hooganji Mission (7:30 - 10 PM)
  • July 27 - Kona Hongwanji (6 - 10 PM)
  • August 3 - Kurtistown Jodo Mission (7 - 9:30 PM)
  • August 3 - Hilo Taishoji Soto Mission (7 - 10 PM)
  • August 10 - Kona Koyasan Daishiji Mission (6:30 PM)
  • August 10 - Hilo Higashi Hongwanji Mission (7 - 9:30 PM)
  • August 10 - Hamakua Jodo Mission
  • August 16 - Life Care Choices (6 - 8 PM)
  • August 17 - Hakalau Jodo Mission (7 - 9:30 PM)
  • August 17 - Kamuela Hongwanji
  • August 24 - Honohina-Papaaloa Hongwanji (2 - 4 PM)
  • August 31 - Hilo Daijingu

KAUAI

  • June 7-8 - Waimea Higashi Hongwanji Mission (7:30 PM)
  • June 21-22 - Kauai Soto Zenshuji (7:30 PM)
  • July 12-13 - West Kauai Hongwanji Mission (7:30 PM)
  • July 19-20 - Lihue Hongwanji Mission (7:30 PM)
  • July 26-27 - Kapaa Hongwanji Mission (7:30 PM)
  • August 2 & 3 - Waimea Shingon Mission (7:30 PM)

MAUI

  • June 8 - Punnene Nichiren Mission (7:30 - 10:00 PM)
  • June 14 - Wailuku Jodo Mission (7 PM)
  • June 15 - Wailuku Shingon Mission (7:30 PM)
  • June 22 - Kahului Jodo Mission (7:30 PM)
  • July 13 - Paia Mantokuji Soto Mission (7:30 PM)
  • July 20 - Kahului Hongwanji (7:30 PM)
  • July 26-27 - Makawao Hongwanji (7:00 PM)
  • August 2 & 3 - Wailuku Hongwanji (7:45 PM)
  • August 24 - Kula Shofukuji Shingon Mission (7:30 PM)

MOLOKA‘I

  • July 27 - Guzeiji Soto Mission of Molokai (6:30 - 9 PM)

Compiled from: Bon Dance Hawaii & Japanese & Okinawan Culture Facebook Group & HONOLULU Magazine. Events are subject to change. Please confirm with the individual sites.