Bwhere dances are a treasure of Hawaiian summers. It’s not just about dancing to live drums and folk music under warm night skies, but also, if we’re being honest, the food. The irony is that as popular as good dancing has become, many of the islands take place in Buddhist temples that are struggling to stay open.
Those that have closed on O’ahu include Kahuku Hongwanji in 2013 and, late last year, Wai’anae Hongwanji. Membership is dwindling, especially in rural temples, and those who remain to host good dances and prepare and sell our favorite dishes are often well into their 80s. “We are getting old. We only have about 29 members and about 6 helpers,” says Arnold Yoshioka, Ewa Hongwanji’s treasurer. “Every year we say, ‘Are we still going to have a good dance? But other churches come and help us.”
“Insurance from the Lahaina fires takes away most of what we earn from good dancing. So I think we’re in the red,” says Yoshioka, “but it’s traditional, and this is our 125th birthday.”
So please appreciate the fried noodles, chili bowls, teri burgers, BBQ beef sticks, and shave ice that temples sell as refreshments. Understand that the food trucks you see more and more at the good balls are professionals called to help when congregations don’t have enough hands. And special fixtures at the temples that make it a point to keep nostalgia foods alive, those disappearing from home kitchens, like hekka chicken and tsukemono and makizushi.
Photo: Courtesy of Windward Buddhist Temple
As for the meaning of the beautiful dances, which originated in Japan centuries ago, they are linked to the good season of August, when the spirits of the departed return to visit them. Lit by cheerful lanterns, people dance to lively flute and drum music played from a central tower, or expandsso that their loved ones can see that they are okay. Back in the plantation days, sad tunes about homesickness and backbreaking work made their way into the local playlist; now there are newer songs like Pokemon Ondo. If you’ve lost a loved one in the past year, it’s especially important to dance this season—this is theirs hatsuneor good first, and your chance to put their spirits at ease.
Here are the food menus for each good dance until July 18th whose organizers we were able to contact. Some temples will have additional food trucks; we have mainly focused on the items that the temple members are cooking. Stay tuned for part two of our bon dance eats guide, coming next month.
SEE ALSO: O’ahu Bon Dance Schedule 2026
June 20: ‘Mission Ewa Hongwanji
Where: 91-1133 Renton Road, ‘Ewa Beach
When: 18:30 to 21:30 h
Contact: 808-681-5222
Information: sites.google.com/view/ewa-buddhist-temple/home, @EwaHongwanji
grind: Tamura’s Market bentos with furikake rice, Spam, hot dogs, fried chicken and more; fried noodles, chili rice bowl, teri burger, hot dogs, andagi from Da Andagi Guy, drinks; plus the Kona Ice Truck
June 26 and 27: Honpa Hongwanji Hawai’i Betsuin
Where: 1727 Pali Highway, Punchbowl
When: 18:30 to 22:30 h
Contact: 808-536-7044
Information: hawaiibetsuin.org, @hawaiibetsuin
grind: Teri Burger, Saimin, Chili Rice Bowl, BBQ Stick Platter, Soy, Chili Cheese Nachos, Spam Musubi, KC Drive Inn Waffle Dogs, Baked Goods, Shave Ice, Fried Noodles (Saturday Only), Fresh Andagi (Saturday Only)
Photo: Courtesy of Mō’ili’ili Summer Fest
July 4: Mō’ili’ili Summer Fest
Where: Old Varsity Building Parking Lot, 1100 University Ave., Mō’ili’ili
When: 5 to 10 in the afternoon
Information: moiliilisummerfest.org, @moiliilifest
Grinds: For Mō’ili’ili Hongwanji: beef stew, chow fun, Spam musubi, Goteburg musubi, teri burger, Aloha Tofu yudofu, natto cups, saimin, mochi and andagi. Plus various food trucks
July 4: Waipahu Hongwanji Buddhist Temple
Where: 94-821 Kuhaulua St., Waipahu
When: 7 to 10 in the afternoon
Contact: 808-677-4221
Information: waipahuhongwanji.org, @waipahutemplesangha
Grinds: Beef stew, orange chicken, yakitori sticks, fried noodles, shaved ice
July 10 and 11: Hale’iwa Shingon Mission
Where: 66-469 Pa’ala’a Road, Hale’iwa
When: From 18:45 to 21:45 h
Contact: 808-637-4423
Grinds: Teri Deluxe Beef Burger, Young’s Noodle Factory Homemade Dashi Saimin, Cold Soman with Homemade Dashi, Hot Dog, Chili Rice, Assorted Musubi Combinations, Day Marinated Beef Shoulders, Grandma Matsunaga’s Special Pickles BBQ Mini Platter, Shave Ice, Baked Drinks, Sushi Bento, Homemade Drinks, Andagi, Aoki’s Ice Cakes
July 10 and 11: Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Church of Hawai’i
Where: 2280 Auhuhu St., Pearl City
When: 6 to 9 in the afternoon
Contact: 808-455-3212
Information: rkhawaii.org, @rkkhawaii
grind: We could not communicate by phone; We are awaiting a response to our email request.
Photo: Mari Taketa
July 10 and 11: Koboji Shingon Mission
Where: 1223-B North School St., Liliha-Kapalama
When: 5:30 p.m
Contact: 808-841-7033
Information: koboji.org, @kobojishingonmission
grind: Chicken teri dish, local boy stew bowl made by Harold and Verna Mikaru from the recipe of a famous long-time Kalihi restaurant, chili rice bowl made by the Kajiwara family for 60 years, yakisoba, teri burger, andagi, shave ice
July 10 and 11: Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawai’i
Where: 1685 Alaneo St., Liliha-Kapalama
When: Food booths open at 5:30 p.m., opening ceremony at 6:30 p.m., dance from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Contact: 808-531-9088
Information: betsuin.hhbt-hi.org, @higashihongwanjihawaii
grind: Yakisoba with or without BBQ meat from Ty’s BBQ & Grill, shaved ice and other desserts from Shimazu Shave Ice, hot ramen and takeout noodle bowls from Nabeya Maido, freshly fried croquettes from Just Fried Croquettes from Ramen Spot Beach, fresh andagi from Ryukyukoku Matsuri only (musuatur Daikou only), (Floriday) drinks
Photo: Courtesy of Windward Buddhist Temple
July 11: Barlovento Buddhist Temple
Where: 268A Ku’ulei Road, Kailua
When: 7 to 10 in the afternoon
Contact: 808-262-4560
Information: windwardbuddhisttemple.org, @windwardbuddhisttemple
grind: Fresh Andagi, Chili Dog, Chili Bowl, Saimin, Spam Musubi, Shave Ice, Drinks and Dinner Plate with Grilled Teriyaki Meat Sticks, Hot Dogs, Tsukemono, Potato Salad and Rice. Country store: assortment of homemade manju with fillings such as coconut and apple, nantu, homemade baked goods, homemade takuan, bitter melon namasu
hekka hen Photo: Courtesy of Wahiawā Ryusenji-Soto Mission
July 17 and 18: Wahiawaā Ryusenji-Soto Mission
Where: 164 California Ave., Area
When: 7 to 10 in the afternoon
Contact: 808-622-1429
grind: Chicken Hekka, Teriyaki Chicken, Bento, Burger Curry Bowl, Chili Bowl, S&S Saimin, Fried Noodles, BBQ Teri Burger, Shaved Ice, Makizushi, Fresh Andagi
July 17 and 18: Shinshu Kyokai Mission
Where: 1631 S. Britain St., Mo’ili’ili
When: 7 to 10 in the afternoon
Contact: 808-973-0150
Information: shinshukyokai.org, @SKM.Hawaii
grind: A volunteer from the temple will return to us; then we will publish the menu.
July 17 and 18: Hale’iwa Jodo Mission
Where: 66-279 Hale’iwa Road A, Hale’iwa
When: 7 to 10 in the afternoon
Contact: 808-637-4382
Information: hawaiijodo.net
grind: Bento, Makizushi, Teri Burgers, Hot Dogs, Andagi, Aoki’s Ice Cream Cakes
July 18: Jikoen Hongwanji Buddhist Temple
Where: 1731 N. School St., Kalihi
When: 5 in the afternoon
Contact: 808-845-3422
Information: jikoenhongwanji.org
grind: Freshly Grilled BBQ Mini Platter, Fried Noodles, Saimin, Teri Burger, Fresh Andagi, Shave Ice, Haupia Sweet Potato Pie, KC Drive Inn Waffle Dogs, Ige Halawa Makizushi, Kandabaa Juushi or Sweet Potato Leaves on Rice, Uchina Okinawa Soba, Rafutee Slow Cooker Pork
Mari Taketa is editor of Frolic Hawai’i and dining editor of HONOLULU Magazine.
