Summer always reminds Mom of Bon Dance season (July through September). So, of course, we had to go to one tonight at Jikoen temple in Kalihi. The bon dance is a Japanese tradition, with lots of dancing, taiko drumming, and food. Bon dance season is an important part of culture in Hawai'i. As Dad put it, we don't have county fairs for people to go to, so people go to bon dances. The lanterns overhead have names of those who have passed. The taiko drumming, dancing, and celebrations are conducted in their memory.
They had games for children, but Mom and Dad said I couldn't get the fish because we don't have an aquarium at home to put them in. Mom enjoyed eating fried noodles, andagi, corn on the cob (Dad had his with furikake (nori seasoning) on it!), and kal bi. We headed home when it started getting really crowded. Although it's most beautiful when the lanterns and music light up the night, it was past my bedtime.
I was upset to go home, but Mom and Dad reminded me that there's always another Bon dance next weekend!
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