Oahu’s oldest Bon dance group remixes a 140-year-old tradition

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – When they’re not doing their customary performances, the oldest Bon dance group on Oahu, Ewa Fukushima, is adding a new twist to the 140-year-old Buddhist celebration.

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They wear bright wigs, dress up in costumes and dance to non-traditional music, including “APT.” by Rosé and Bruno Mars and the K-pop hit “Soda Pop”.

The group performs at bon dances across the island, and crowds are quickly catching onto the new moves.

While it is a lot of fun, Robin Hirata, the head instructor of Ewa Fukushima, says that isn’t the main reason why the group is pushing the envelope.

“I just wanted to attract the young kids because without the young kids, the bon dance is going to die,” said Hirata. “We had three churches close down. Kahuku was the first, Waialua Hongwanji and Waianae was just this past year. So, three churches have closed down due to not enough participants.”

In the plantation days, there were around 200. According to Honpa Hongwanji, today only 31 active Japanese Buddhist temples in Hawaii remain due to aging and shrinking congregations.

“I grew up going bon dance with my parents and I want it to continue for the culture,” said Hirata. “For Soda Pop, it’s been working. Grandparents are coming up to me and say oh my grandkids wanted to dance ‘cause they recognize the song!”

For other long-time bon dancers, it may take some time getting used to the new music and moves.

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“I’m not real sure i like some of the modern music and it doesn’t feel bon dancey,” said Pieper Toyama, member of Jikoen Hongwanji.

“I’m from Hilo and I’ve been going to bon dances since I was little,” said Jade Rivera. “That’s the really beautiful thing about our culture, you just jump in you’re welcomed in and you follow and you learn.”

“Obviously people catch on quick and if not there’s no judgement here,” said Kekoa Valentine of Ewa Fukushima Bon Dance Group.

As the new way of dancing spreads, they agree that just as their ancestors carried on this tradition, Obon must continue for the next generation.

“We need to have joyuful experiences in our lives. It’s very, very important and bon dance is a very joyful experience,” said Toyama.

The group will be bringing their new moves to Pearl City Hongwanji’s bon dance this Saturday, Aug. 8.

We’ve also posted a list of bon dances in Hawaii scheduled through October on our Hawaii News Now website.

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