hawaii is a melting pot of cultures. many of the events that happen around the islands are often related to a specific tradition or custom that is celebrated by a group of people. this weekend, my friends and i attended the “bon dance festival” held at the honganji temple. always held in the summer month, the “bon dance festival” is a japanese tradition, and hence, a hawaii tradition as well, that celebrates the time during which people can honor their ancestors, when the boundary between the living and the dead is temporarily transparent.

many “bon dances” are held around the islands at various temples. at the honganji temple, like many others, a “yagura” or small tower was erected in the middle of an outside space. some, then, don traditional japanese clothing, with those in casual clothing, and dance in concentric circles around the “yagura” from late afternoon into the late evening to japanese music blasted from the amplifiers, or sometimes, live music played atop the tower.

like many of the cultural celebrations in hawaii, the “bon dance festival” has taken on a unique flavoring of the original custom. at these “bon dances,” concession booths sell local favorites, such as “andagi” or sweetened fried dough, “saimin” (noodles in hot broth), and “shaved ice” or snow cones—all of which are delicious and give the event a more “festival-like” atmosphere.

although i personally am not japanese, i found this event to be fun, light-hearted, and culturally enlightening. in any case, it served as time for reflection and honoring my ancestors. i noticed that there were many families at this specific temple, and i realized that it has evolved into a special ritual for many people to embrace their roots and pass on the tradition to the next generation.