The story behind the Moiliili Summer Fest is somewhat convoluted, but, like many great things, it began with a vision.

In January 1996, Muriel Miura Kaminaka was lamenting how Moiliili had changed, as she browsed with friends at Nui Mono, a women’s clothing boutique on South King Street. The retired home economist for The Gas Co. (now Hawaii Gas) had grown up in the community, which is roughly bordered by Dole Street, Isenberg Street, Old Waialae Road and Kapiolani Boulevard.

Built in 1959, the first segment of the H-1 freeway went east between Punahou Street (Exit 23) and King Street (Exit 25A), bypassing Moiliili. Over the ensuing decades, activity in the neighborhood dramatically declined. Moiliili was dying, Kaminaka declared, and something needed to be done to revitalize its businesses and community spirit.

Coincidentally, Rebecca Ryan, then-executive director of the Moiliili Community Center, was shopping in Nui Mono and overheard Kaminaka. She threw her support behind the idea, and Kaminaka promptly drafted plans for an event that would spotlight Moiliili’s history, businesses and cultural diversity.

In the beginning

Just nine months later, on Oct. 26, 1996, the inaugural Discover Moiliili Festival, sponsored by Moiliili Community Center, drew thousands to Kuhio Elementary School to enjoy music, crafts, food and games. Highlights included a historical photo exhibit, an obake (Japanese ghost) storytelling contest and performances by taiko drum and choral groups from the Shinnyo-en Buddhist temple.

The celebration quickly outgrew the school grounds, and in 1998 it moved to Old Stadium Park, where it was held through 2008.

“Discover Moiliili was a terrific event, but our staff got burnt out from the demands of doing it for 13 years,” said Grant Kagimoto, treasurer of community center’s board. “As popular as it had become, the board decided it was time to stop.”

A year passed. Then another. Moiliili residents missed their annual festival, and state Rep. Scott Saiki and City Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi, who represent the district, agreed a similar event should take its place.

In 2012, Moiliili Summer Fest made its debut as a collaboration of several community organizations, including the community center, Moiliili Hongwanji Mission, Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii and Old Town Moiliili Business Association. Kamehameha Schools stepped in to provide a venue — the former Varsity Theater parking lot.

Kagimoto, who has run the graphic design firm Cane Haul Road in Moiliili for 40 years, has served on the planning committee since the Summer Fest’s inception, as has fellow community center board member Laura Ruby.

They are responsible for mounting the photo exhibit, a key feature of both Discover Moiliili and the Summer Fest. It’s certain to be of special interest because 2018 is the Year of the Gannenmono, the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii.

The exhibit pictures were chosen from hundreds that appear in the book, “Moiliili: The Life of a Community,” edited by Ruby. There are photos of farms in the early 1900s; Moiliili Japanese Cemetery, which dates to 1908; businesses that were operating on King and Beretania streets in the late 1930s; students at Kuhio Elementary School, which opened in 1884; and much more.

“People linger in our Historical Tent to share fond memories, often of places long gone,” said Ruby, a retired University of Hawaii art professor and longtime Moiliili resident.

“Even if they’ve never lived in Moiliili, they have strong ties to it. Their grandparents might have lived in Moiliili or maybe they worked there at one time or had a favorite store or florist there. Many University of Hawaii graduates recall attending History 151 class in Varsity Theater as freshmen with 900 other students.”

Let’s dance

Summer Fest’s highlight is what organizers call “the largest bon dance in Hawaii.” Sponsored by the Moiliili Hongwanji Mission, it brings together participants of all ages, religions and ethnicities.

According to Nancy Shimamoto, former president of the mission, Buddhists honor and express gratitude to their ancestors during the summer obon season. They reflect on the lives of loved ones who have passed on, the hardships they endured, the sacrifices they made and their hopes for a bright future for their children.

“Lanterns are hung around the yagura, the platform in the center of the dance area,” Shimamoto said. “When there are more than eight circles of dancers around the yagura, with hardly a space to squeeze in, you know (dancers) number well over 100. Bon dancing is fun and easy to follow. You can’t help but get caught up in the beat and rhythm.”

You can also shop for handmade crafts or participate in cultural activities such as decorating uchiwa (round Japanese fans), catching goldfish at the kingyo sukui game booth, learning origami and writing wishes on tanzaku (paper strips) and hanging them on bamboo branches.

Another draw is the food offered by more than 25 booths and food trucks, including saimin, shave ice, Spam musubi, beef skewers, teri burgers, shoyu pork bowls and andagi, a perennial top seller.

“Good dancing, good food, good fun — whether you’re with family or friends or by yourself, the Moiliili Summer Fest is a great way to spend a summer evening,” Kagimoto said.