Because sometimes more is more, Moiliili offers not one, but two nights of bon dance fun with family, friends and food.
The annual Moiliili Hongwanji bon dance runs from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, with food booths open for participant fueling at the very start of the event at 1100 University Ave. in the old Varsity Theatre parking lot.
The hongwanji will offer its always popular food selection both nights, including nori or Spam musubi; hot dogs, plain or chili-topped; yakitori (skewered barbecued chicken), barbecue beef sticks and a shoyu pork and rice bowl; as well as sweets like andagi, mochi and shave ice. Prices range from $1 to $6.
On Saturday the event site explodes into the Mo‘ili‘ili Summer Fest from 5 to 10:30 p.m., with more than two dozen additional food vendors, crafters selling handmade goods, as well as sellers of other merchandise.
Free parking is offered on Saturday only at the University of Hawaii campus in the music and law school parking lot, along with the top floor of the main UH parking structure.
Drivers can tell the posted guard they are parking for the Summer Fest. Once parked, free shuttles will run from the UH Law School on Dole Street to the Summer Fest from 4:45 to 10:45 p.m.
The fifth year of the Summer Fest, billed as Honolulu’s largest bon dance and street festival, will expand out onto Coyne and Kaialiu streets with Street Grindz food trucks and other mobile food vendors, games and make-and-take and educational activities for children.
Saturday’s expanded event is the result of a collaboration among Kamehameha Schools, the Moiliili Hongwanji Mission, the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii, the Moiliili Community Center and the Old Town Moiliili Business Association.
“This well-attended and highly anticipated annual event is fully funded by donations and sponsorships, and brings together communities to enjoy an evening filled with culture, history, food and entertainment,” said Stacy Clayton, Kamehameha Schools executive strategy consultant, in a statement.
As many as 10,000 attendees are expected over the two nights.
Those interested in smaller-scale events have a couple of choices:
>> The Koganji Temple, 5 to 10 p.m. today and Saturday at 2869 Oahu Ave. in Manoa. Its food booths open at 5 p.m., and a children’s lantern parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. Friday, with sign-ups at 4:45 p.m. Call 732-0446.
>> Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji, Saturday from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at 45-520 Keaahala Road. Food booths will open at 5:30 p.m. with a service at 6 p.m. Parking is available at Benjamin Parker Elementary School. Call 247-2661.