Culture
What Is a Bon Dance? A Visitor's Guide to Obon in Hawaii
New to bon dances in Hawaii? Here's what obon is, how the dance works, what the yagura and taiko are, and why everyone is welcome to join in.
Photo: Yoshi Canopus · CC BY-SA 4.0
Blog
Stories from the islands
Guides and background on Hawaii's cultural events, food, and festivals — written for visitors and locals alike. We're starting with the summer bon dance season.
Guides
Bon Dance Etiquette: What to Wear and How to Join In
What to wear to a Hawaii bon dance, when it's okay to join the circle, photography courtesy, and the small respectful touches that make you a good guest.
Photo: Daniel Ramirez · CC BY-SA 4.0
Food
What to Eat at a Hawaii Bon Dance: Andagi, Plate Lunch & More
A field guide to Hawaii bon dance food booths — andagi, the andadog, plate lunches, saimin, teri chicken, shave ice and more. Bring cash and an appetite.
Photo: Yoshi Canopus · CC BY-SA 4.0
Guides
A First-Timer's Guide to the Bon Dance Circle
Never danced bon odori before? Here's exactly how the circle works, the common songs you'll hear, and why you need zero experience to join in.
Photo: Yoshi Canopus · CC BY-SA 4.0
History
The History of Obon in Hawaii
How obon traveled from Japan to Hawaii's sugar plantations in the 1800s and grew into a months-long, multi-ethnic Island tradition still going strong today.
Photo: Daniel Ramirez · CC BY-SA 4.0
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Weekly field guides
Earlier briefings
This Week in Hawaii Markets and Community Life: July 11-18, 2026
This week is a good example of why Hawaii plans work best when they stay local. Shop directly from makers at Ala Moana, build a South Shore Kauai weekend around Koloa Plantation Days, or save Saturday night for Kakaako's food, retail, and entertainment. Each option rewards committing to its own neighborhood instead of trying to chase all three.
This Week in Hawaii Markets and Community Life: June 27-July 3, 2026
Saturday, June 27 had two meaningful but separate island choices: a Hawaiian cultural festival at Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park and a community festival in Dole Park. The right plan was to commit to one island and let its local context lead the day.
This Week in Hawaii Markets and Community Life: June 19-25, 2026
This was a choose-your-island week. Ka'u's coffee festival wrapped with its final Saturday, while Lihue and Wailuku offered two separate bon dance evenings. None of these belonged in one route, but each gave a visitor a strong reason to stay local and spend time with a community gathering.
This Week in Hawaii Markets and Community Life: June 12-18, 2026
This was an Oahu week with two distinct scales: a multi-day Pan-Pacific Festival stretching from Ala Moana to Waikiki, and the King Kamehameha Celebration Ho'olaule'a after the Honolulu floral parade. Choose the former for a full festival circuit, the latter for a concentrated community gathering.
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