Megabon

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Megabon
StatusActive
GenreBon dance, Japanese festival
FrequencyAnnually
LocationsOʻahu, Hawaiʻi, United States
CountryUnited States
Years active2023–present
FounderJCI Honolulu and Hawaii Todaiji
AttendanceMore than 15,000 in 2023; 18,000 reported for 2024
Organized byJCI Honolulu and Hawaii Todaiji
Websitewww.megabonhawaii.com

Megabon is an annual large-scale bon dance and Japanese cultural festival held on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi, United States. The event is jointly presented by JCI Honolulu, a local chapter of Junior Chamber International, and Todaiji Hawaii Bekkaku Honzan, commonly known as Hawaii Todaiji, a Buddhist temple in Honolulu affiliated with Tōdai-ji in Nara, Japan.[1][2]

The festival features bon dancing, taiko performances, Japanese festival games, food and craft vendors, prizes, and a beer garden.[1][3] It has been described by local media and cultural organizations as one of Oʻahu's largest bon dance festivals.[3][4]

History

Megabon was first held in 2023. According to Honolulu Magazine, the event was created by JCI Honolulu and Hawaii Todaiji to renew interest in bon dances in Hawaiʻi and to provide a venue for local performers and vendors.[1] Hawaii News Now reported that the first Megabon drew more than 15,000 attendees, far exceeding organizers' initial expectation of approximately 5,000 people.[4]

In 2024, Megabon returned to Aloha Stadium, where it was held in the Lower Hālawa Lot. The 2024 event was sponsored by Hawaiian Telcom and included vendors, live entertainment, family-friendly activities, a large bon dance, and a drone show by Sky Elements Hawaii.[4] Hawaii News Now reported that the event was organized by JCI Honolulu and Hawaii Todaiji and included participation from JCI Honolulu's sister Jaycee chapters in Osaka, Japan.[4]

In 2025, Megabon moved to Leeward Community College in Pearl City. Hawaii News Now reported that the move followed an attendance of 18,000 people at the previous year's gathering.[3] The 2025 festival included nearly 90 food and craft vendors, a beer garden, games for children, taiko, hula performances, and a ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.[3] Honolulu Magazine reported that the 2025 event was expected to draw up to 20,000 attendees and would include traditional Japanese festival games, merchandise sourced from Japan, and a bon dance program inspired in part by the Osaka Expo 2025 official song "Kono Hoshi no Tsuzuki wo."[1]

The 2025 event was also covered by Aloha State Daily, which described it as a cultural celebration intended to rekindle bon dance in Hawaiʻi while supporting local businesses and performers.[5] The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaiʻi participated in the 2025 festival with a booth and described the event as "Hawaiʻi's biggest bon dance."[2]

For 2026, Megabon announced its fourth annual event for September 12, 2026, at Leeward Community College.[6] The Japan-America Society of Hawaii also listed Megabon 2026 as an event where it planned to host an informational booth.[7] Nichi Bei News published a 2026 feature on Megabon, describing the event as a family-friendly celebration and noting its previous large attendance at Aloha Stadium.[8]

Organization

Megabon is jointly presented by JCI Honolulu and Hawaii Todaiji. JCI Honolulu is a local chapter of Junior Chamber International, a civic leadership organization whose members are commonly known as Jaycees. Hawaii Todaiji is the common name of Todaiji Hawaii Bekkaku Honzan, a Buddhist temple in Honolulu affiliated with Tōdai-ji in Nara, Japan.

The event has also included support from JCI Honolulu's sister Jaycee chapters in Osaka, Japan.[4][6]

Festival activities

Megabon combines elements of a traditional Hawaiʻi Japanese bon dance with features of a Japanese summer festival. Activities have included bon dancing around a yagura, taiko performances, hula, food booths, craft vendors, Japanese festival games, prizes, and a beer garden.[1][3] Games featured at the 2025 event included shateki, yoyo sukui, omocha sukui, wanage, and other Japanese-style festival games.[1]

Community and cultural role

Megabon is part of Hawaiʻi's broader bon dance season, a summer tradition associated with Japanese Buddhist communities and Japanese American cultural life in the islands. The event's organizers have described its mission as rekindling bon dance in Hawaiʻi, showcasing local performers, and supporting local businesses.[6][2]

In 2025, Megabon included a commemorative component marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Hawaii News Now reported that the event opened with a ceremony commemorating the anniversary, while Honolulu Magazine reported that the 2025 festival was dedicated to Nisei veterans and included representatives connected to the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team.[3][1]

Venues

Megabon was held at Aloha Stadium in its early years, at the Lower Hālawa Lot.[4] In 2025, the festival moved to Leeward Community College in Pearl City.[3] The official Megabon website listed Leeward Community College as the location for the 2026 event as well.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Dornbush, Laura (September 5, 2025). "Your Insider Guide to Megabon". Honolulu Magazine. Retrieved July 8, 2026.
  2. ^ a b c "2025 Megabon". Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaiʻi. Retrieved July 8, 2026.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Thousands gather for Megabon, one of Oahu's largest bon dance festivals". Hawaii News Now. September 13, 2025. Retrieved July 8, 2026.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Lund, Casey (September 6, 2024). "Megabon, one of Oahu's largest bon dance festivals, returns with even larger turnout expected". Hawaii News Now. Retrieved July 8, 2026.
  5. ^ Shiroma Braiotta, Kelli (September 9, 2025). "Megabon is back this weekend". Aloha State Daily. Retrieved July 8, 2026.
  6. ^ a b c d "Megabon Official". Megabon Hawaii. Retrieved July 8, 2026.
  7. ^ "JASH Booth at Megabon 2026". Japan-America Society of Hawaii. Retrieved July 8, 2026.
  8. ^ Chinen, Karleen (June 25, 2026). "MEGABON: Remembering and celebrating in Honolulu". Nichi Bei News. Retrieved July 8, 2026.
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