Saturday · From 7 PM
Kula Shofukuji Shingon Mission Bon Dance
Saturday, August 15, 2026
Kula Shofukuji Shingon Mission Bon Dance is listed for Saturday, August 15, 2026 at Kula Shofukuji Shingon Mission in Kula, Maui, From 7 PM.
Kula Shofukuji Shingon Mission is a Koyasan Shingon Buddhist temple on the slopes of Haleakala in upcountry Kula, Maui. Over a century old, the temple has been maintained by many generations of loyal congregants, whose family names are enshrined in the hillside cemetery overlooking central Maui. It is a member mission of the Koyasan Shingon Mission of Hawaii, the umbrella organization established in 1915 to govern Koyasan Shingon temples across the Hawaiian Islands.
- Koyasan Shingon Buddhist temple on the slopes of Haleakala, over a century old
- Hillside cemetery preserves family names of generations of Kula congregants
- Member of the Koyasan Shingon Mission of Hawaii network (est. 1915)
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Good to know
When is Kula Shofukuji Shingon Mission Bon Dance?
Kula Shofukuji Shingon Mission Bon Dance is scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026, From 7 PM.
Where is Kula Shofukuji Shingon Mission Bon Dance?
You'll find Kula Shofukuji Shingon Mission Bon Dance at Kula Shofukuji Shingon Mission, 113 Puanani Pl, Kula, HI 96790 in Kula, Maui.
Should I confirm Kula Shofukuji Shingon Mission Bon Dance before going?
Yes. Our listing is based on JCCH 2026 statewide schedule; Koyasan Maui listing; local Kula location references; https://www.jcchawaii.org/resources/2026-obon-schedule; https://mauinow.com/2026/06/05/2026-maui-bon-dance-schedule-annual-buddhist-observance-honors-loved-ones-embraces-gratitude/. Event dates and times can change, so confirm with the host before you go.
About bon dances
Bon dance (bon odori) is the centerpiece of obon, the Japanese Buddhist season honoring ancestors. In Hawaii the tradition arrived with plantation-era immigrants and became its own local institution — most temples across the islands hold a dance on a summer weekend between June and September, and the whole community turns out.
The setup is consistent: a yagura (a raised tower) anchors the temple yard, taiko drummers and singers keep the beat, and dancers move in concentric circles around the tower. You don't need to know the steps or be Buddhist to join — follow the circle, copy the person ahead of you, and you'll pick it up by the second song. Around the edges you'll find food booths selling andagi, plate lunches, shave ice, and saimin, plus craft and game tables.
- No experience needed — step into the circle and follow along.
- Come hungry; the food booths are half the reason people go.
- Bring small cash for food, games, and craft tables.
- Dances run rain or shine and are free to attend.
Sources: JCCH 2026 statewide schedule; Koyasan Maui listing; local Kula location references; https://www.jcchawaii.org/resources/2026-obon-schedule; https://mauinow.com/2026/06/05/2026-maui-bon-dance-schedule-annual-buddhist-observance-honors-loved-ones-embraces-gratitude/. Dates and times can change — confirm with the temple before you go.