Attended the Car Blessing Service and Ofuda, Omamori, Mochi pick up. This year we weren't able to…read moreattend any of the Hatsumode events due to COVID social distancing so this was a perfect alternative. Everything was very professional and well organized. Felt very safe attending the event. Would definitely come back if they had any other events!

This review is only for bon dance on 8/1 and 8/2. First time here. Food is reasonable and…read moredelicious. Seats are reserved for dancers and lot of people are bringing beach chairs. Building and yard need little more attention. Hard to find street parking. Followed the sign fit the additional parking but when we go there the sing said NO BON PARKING...

This is a review for the Bon Dance on Friday & Saturday, August 11 & 12…read more FOOD: Really good tsukemono (pickled vegetables) with a wide selection, plus a lot of baked goods at a really cheap price. NOW the reason for the minus of two stars is how they handle the sales. People start to line up at the front door very early since they run out quickly since they don't have a limit (except for the pickled peaches which was limited to one) so sometimes you see people walking out with 3 of the same item. This year I was the first in line and even with them limiting it to 20 people at a time being let in when the opened the doors still had people bumrush around me to get to the items. I am writing this in hopes that they have a better solution to control the crowd since they should know by now just how crazy it can get. PARKING: The GOOD is you can drop of handicap and disabled people in front of the temple and go to the lot and park. The BAD is that the lot doesn't open til 4:30pm and fills up fast but there are a decent amount of handicap spots. If you are handicap I would suggest just parking in the lot and taking your time walking to the temple.

This is only the 2nd time I've ever attended an Obon Festival in all my years alive, and both have…read morebeen this year (2019). Im not going to compare the two because they were both completely different and two totally unique experiences. I have always been interested in attending these, but never got around to it. Im glad I finally did! If you have never been, I highly recommend checking it the Obon Festival which happens every summer. I decided to go this year, because my son was born a few months ago, and what better time than now to start making our own little family traditions. Between my husband and I, wer have created a son with son with so many unique ethnicities and we live in Hawaii, where we are able to celebrate them all. I want to teach my son all about his heritage and all the ethnicities that had to come together to create him. Also, coming here tonight mad me think of my Grandma. She used to live at the Pearl City Nursing Home and the would always take the residents there to enjoy the festivities. It was wonderful seeing so many people there. One of my goals is to learn the moves of at least one dance, and give it a try. And check or the food, there's a pretty decent variety at fair prices. This was a perfect little family outing.

Sorry Haleiwa Jodo but it is what it is. Let me start by saying that this review of their bon dance…read moreon Friday, June 15, 2018. This is not to be mean or spiteful but to give a heads up to handicap people like me so that they can plan ahead. The other part is so that the people behind the event are aware of it. [HANDICAP ACCESSIBILITY] Be aware there is no handicap parking. There is no designated handicap drop off or pick up area. Even if you are dropped off at the top of the lane be prepared for a walk in handicap or disabled terms. Also know that the restrooms are not ADA and quite narrow. [FOOD] It seemed very unorganized this year. When asked when the food booth would open was told when the food comes out. So I stood there and people started to line up after me. Another gentleman later asked if the maki sushi and cone sushi was ready, he was told yes but they are waiting for the services to end (this was around 6:45pm and the bon dance started at 7:00pm). It wasn't til after this that they started to light the grills, it was even a longer wait for them to cook the food. I know a lady behind me was saying how come the hotdogs weren't at least ready. So I ended up buying my sushi, asking if I could move over and wait so that when the burger and hot dog came out (people made a 2nd line behind me) I didn't have to wait in the back of the line again (this has happened at other bon dances), got my hot dog and burger but gave up on the saimin because it wasn't ready. Someone joked that it seemed like have to wait 3 times in line to get food. Other than that the burger was good. [TO YELP] While this review may mainly focus on the bon dance event to me how a temple runs their event is a direct reflection of themselves.

There are many many o-bon events and bon dances throughout the island of Oahu. My last count was…read more34, yes, 34 of them! O-bon events and bon dances are usually from late June until early September. To my knowledge, there are only two sites that host the lantern floating festival. Magic Island and Haliewa Jodo Mission. The lantern floating event at Haliewa Jodo Mission is usually the last Saturday of July and usually after the last bon dance around 9 PM. Check local listing for annual changes in date and time. The music stops and you'll hear the priest chiming their bells and walking toward the shorelines. A larger red lantern starts the event and eventually everyone slowly place their lanterns in the water with their loved ones names written on the lantern. Year after year there has been a nice cool breeze that helps push the lanterns out to sea. You'll notice the current will take the lanterns to the left and then slowly disappears. It's a beautiful event, the food is alright with not many choices and shaved ice is usually only one flavor, straweberry. A large amount of politicians comes out to wins some votes. Abercrombie was out and about this year. The energy of the bon dancers are incredible, even when they have the non-traditional electric slide dance. Parking is tough, get there early or park near the harbor

So I have to say I had one heck of a night here at the Bon Dance. It was my first one that I've…read moreattended since 2000, back when I was in college! Granted, this evening was not one of just fun and dancing, I only danced twice toward the end of the night because I was helping out with the food booth and the lines and taking food orders. Since obon is a celebration festival to honor our loved ones who have passed and is a time to gather in joy. There is a lantern processional and brief ceremony prior to the start of the dancing. The children get to participate in the lantern parade and some of them wear their obon kimonos and other cute outfits. They all looked great tonight. So all the kids get their lantern with their light and march around the corner from the park to the yagura (musician stand) and then continue to make a circle...Then the fun begins! I was amazed at the number of people that were already there at 5:30 when we showed up to get the food lines going. Wow. Food orders were non-stop for about 2 hours and I watched the andagi line grow longer and longer! (love the andagi Guy!) Chicken Hekka was a great sell and the Chicken curry ran out pretty quick it seemed...Hot dogs wasn't too far behind. I ate Kalua pork and cabbage and got a side order of the noodles. The lunch plate was plentiful, 2 scoops rice, mac salad and the main item. I liked the taste of the kahlua pork but there was a surplus of the juices in my tray...and I don't really care for soggy rice. However, the flavor was great! A little too much greens for my taste as well but the cabbage was cooked just right. The fried noodles were very tasty too and portion that was being given for $4 was quite generous. Of course, I had to try the shave ice...you can totally tell it's not Matsumotos...but, it was made with heart and caring. The ice was made a little in advance, to take care of a long line, but because it was made in advance, the ice had time to sit so it was a little more icy than shaved. The syrup was very tasty and I had a rainbow- strawberry, vanilla, banana- and you could distinctly taste all of the flavors. I was surprised at all the extra offerings- silent auction, country store, farmer's market, and many different vendors selling things from toys to jewelry to aromatherapy oils. It makes me happy to see how the bon dance has grown in terms of the crowds, the extras, and It looked as though everyone was having a blast! I heard people say that this is their favorite bon dance to attend and I hope that it continues to grow and people bring their friends and families back year after year. I'll be there again on Saturday...Where will you be? #Yelp 365 Challenge - 020/365

Good food, loud music, a craft fair and Da Andagi Guy?! Sounds like a good night!!!…read more When there's events in Mililani literally the whole town comes to support! This was no different. The lines were RIDICULOUSLY long!!! We waited over 30 minutes to get food and we didn't even try standing in the andagi line!! My family ordered 1 stir fried noodle plate, 2 curry plates, and 1 chicken hekka plate. The curry plate was the best! It had chicken curry with carrots and corn in it! The stir fried noodles I didn't care for because the noodles were really mushy :( The chicken hekka was good with lots of flavor. My brother's girlfriends parents were nice enough to get us andagi so we didn't have to stand in line and I was totally stoked that Da Andagi Guy was making the andagi! Omg hands down the best andagi everrr! I ate like a whole bag of the cinnamon one! Yum!!! Lastly, the dancing! I tried to join in on some of the dances and some were easy, some were hard! I loved that the kids/teens had their own upbeat versions of the traditional dances! Was super cute! Overall, I had a great time!

While this review may mainly focus on the bon dance event to me how a temple runs their event is a…read moredirect reflection of themselves. [HANDICAP] Know that there is no handicap parking at this bon dance so plan accordingly. [PARKING] There is street parking. DO NOT PARK AT THE POST OFFICE they will tow you, there was at least one car towed this year during the bon dance.

I don't know a lot about Buddhism or temples in general, but I must say, I'm quite impressed with…read morethe Aiea Soto Mission. My husband's family is pretty involved with the church (mostly his parents), and so I have attended a handful of ceremonies, bon dances, etc. The Reverend is young and is a good speaker. I have no idea what he says when he chants in Japanese, but when he speaks in English, he talks about things that I can relate to. He's very approachable and you just feel a sense of peace when you speak with him. Their bon dance is held every August. I look forward to it every year. They sell homemade goodies such as mochi, beef jerky, loaf cakes, spam musubis, trail mix, etc. They also sell chili plates, fried noodles, and ANDAGI. The best part is that you can dance it all off!

The Palisades Bon dance/festival is one of my favorites. I come every year for the great food and…read moregreat entertainment. Food: first, you'll need to buy scrip for the food. I think it's gotten a little more expensive over the years I've been coming, but that's ok because it's still worth it. My absolute favorite here is the oden. You can choose different pieces, like gobo fishcake, vegetable fishcake, tofu stuffed with mochi, daikon, egg, other fishcakes lol. I always get the mixed oden because literally every piece is delicious. They're all my favorite and the broth is delicious. I also really like the grilled corn with the butter and shoyu, the grilled mochi with shoyu and kinako and the shave ice. The shave ice is amazing. It's not as soft as waiolas, but in a good way. They also have fried noodles, andagi, musubi and yakitori, but I'm always too full to get anything else. The entertainment is provided by the young okinawans of Hawaii. These people are volunteers. They drum, whistle and lead the dances for a good 2 hours. They have a Shishimai (like a Chinese lion) dance, but don't give them money lol. This isn't a Chinese restaurant. Of course these people need breaks, and when they're on their break, yes, the electric slide is played. Big deal.

While this review mainly focuses on the bon dance event, I feel that how a temple runs their event…read moreis a direct reflection on the temple itself, the minister and the congregation. [HANDICAP PARKING] I like that Rissho's handicap parking is close by that I can sit in the car with the engine on so that I have a/c but it's far enough away I'm not bothering any body. [FOOD] Big plus that the food booths open early because considering how hot it is it's good to be able to get something cold to drink to stay hydrated. My favorite is the ODEN which I get every year!! To me when a temple takes the time to consider people that are either disabled or handicap it shows their compassion which is very important to Buddhist especially during Obon.

Went to Haleiwa Shingon Mission to pick up some omamori. When we enter we were direct to burn…read moreincense. Akiyama sensei blessed us with his prayer beads. We pick up Our omamori and head out they followed us out said goodbye stood there and waved to us. That was great!!!

This a review for the bon dance on Friday, July 15, 2011…read more EDIT: Okay, these past couple of days I have been snacking on the pickled onions and the taste only gets better. So I thought I needed to come back and add an extra star. This alone I would drive all the way back here for. Parking wise. (4/5) Get choke parking in the lot next door to the temple. Just come early like any other bon dance before it starts to make sure your able to find a spot. Just know that they do double park cars so plan to stay a while atleast. Food wise. (5/5) Okay the first thing I noticed was the pickled onions and the pickled cucumbers being sold for $1.50 to $2.00. Okay to say it was good was an understatement and I could go on and on. But I will talk about the pickled onions. It cost $1.50!! $1.50!! It was pickled just right, not to vinegary, not to sweet, but just right. There was just the right amount of chili peppers to give it a nice kick. They only had 2 for sale when I got to the booth so it does go fast. Other then that had the usual fair of hotdogs, hamburgers, saimin, etc. Music wise. (2/5) A lot of recorded music, especially very very old recorded music. Personally I prefer live music and the only live music I hearded was by provided by Aiea Taiheiji Yagura Gumi. Overall it is a nice quaint country bon dance. The food was awesome especially the pickled onions and cucumbers.

Let's celebrate and dance cause it's Bon Festival time!!!…read more Not that I can recall I've never been to Honpa Hongwanji Bon Festival and realized that I long long missed it last year *sob* I have a fellow bestie who loves going to Bon Dance and this one is her particular favorite so I made sure early to find the dates and make sure we don't miss out this year. She wasn't worried she says about parking and since I was working to take my time which I had doubts and I was so right, I'm sure not having it for a few years has brought back the excitement to have this festive gathering which brings more meaning than just what it seems. Typically a Japanese Buddhist festival to honor and remember our loved ones who passed and it was so lovingly done in the main temple to offer a prayer and write a note to hang was just comforting and healing, majority of the people were dressed either in a kimono or happi coat with was a stunning view. I do have a few family members here at Honpa Hongwanji and have gone to some events here as well and what massive masterpiece of a temple and as large as the property everything here was just scattered and wished there was a map of events so we know what was going on as getting around isn't as easy between grassy area and some uneven surfaces. As we made our way back to our chairs of course I had to shop at the tent and of course the bag collaboration with by Eden in Love was too hard to pass along with the cooler bag it was a great find going to a wonderful cause. Through with my urging we then head for the food before it gets insane and eventually it really did...with items like fried noodles, soy beans, bbq plate and even shaved ice I decided to start with the fried noodles and bbq plate for my bestie. It's definitely festival size and it was good just not enough...as we sat and enjoy the festivities we were contemplating our next move. The weather had done us in sadly as we saw nothing but grey skies and it constantly rained and we were so underwhelmed with the food situation and super insanely long line that we just got discouraged with everyone trying to find a place to sit and no set path for people to get around it was a slight hot mess. To start things was the taiko drums and I'm sure for the respect of the temple the drummers were facing the temple while everyone was behind them we it was nice hear them of course but I'm not walking all the way around for a pic so sorry there's none lol! It kept raining so we left as we had quite a cardio hike to get back to our car. Thank you!

Great bon dance with a nice mix of live and recorded music. Hawaii Eisa Shinyuu Kai, Honolulu…read moreFukushima and Iwakuni Odori Aiko Kai provided live music this year. Favorite (Past) Eats: * Pickled Mountain Apple * Deluxe Spam Musubi Cons: * No tsukemono (pickled vegetables) this year * No deluxe spam musubi this year * The chili didn't really have flavor