Hawaii's largest bon dance returns with a global livestream

Sep 10, 2026

Honolulu's biggest bon dance is back for a fourth year, and for the first time anyone in the world can watch it live — good news for the local community and for Japanese-Hawaiian culture fans abroad.

  • The festival returns to Leeward Community College with early access mid-afternoon and general admission shortly after.
  • Over 80 food and craft vendors, a beer garden, a VIP lounge, and Japanese festival games are on site.
  • The opening ceremony blends Native Hawaiian and Japanese traditions, back for a second year after proving popular.
  • A first-ever worldwide livestream will carry the event on TV and YouTube for people who can't attend.
  • Parking on campus is very limited — organizers are pushing the Skyline rail, which drops riders at a dedicated entrance, plus shuttles from an off-site lot and ADA parking.

Outlook: Expect big crowds and heavy rail use, with the livestream giving the event its widest audience yet.

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