Your Insider Guide to the 11th Annual Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest
Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest returns on Saturday, July 6. Here’s what you should know about the bon dance, activities, food, shopping and more.
Photo: Courtesy of Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest
The 11th annual Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest is on Saturday, July 6, from 5 to 10 p.m., with a sneak peek event on Friday, July 5, from 5 to 8 p.m. Located in the former Varsity Theater parking lot at the corner of University Ave. and Coyne St., this year’s fest has an exciting lineup of food and craft vendors, games and activities and, of course, the bon dance.
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SEE ALSO: O‘ahu Bon Dance Schedule 2024
Cost
The Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest is a free community event. You can pay food and craft vendors directly, and most will accept both cash or card. There will be an ATM available for cash withdrawals provided by ATM Pacific.
Photo: Courtesy of Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest
What to Do
The summer fest is always jam-packed with activities, and this year is no exception. Live entertainment runs from 5 to 6 p.m., featuring performances from Taiko Center of the Pacific and several prelude Bon Dance songs for keiki and kūpuna by Hawai‘i Shin Kobukai. Also in attendance are Bon Dance groups Hawai‘i Eisa Shinyuu Kai and Honolulu Fukushima Bon Dance Club. The bon dance will start at 6 p.m. and continue through the night.
There will also be other keiki activities. The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i will have stamping stations and gift shop items for sale. The stamping stations include tanabata tanzaku, or “handwritten wishes for a good fortune” paper slips tied to bamboo, and hachimaki (Japanese headbands). The Cherry Blossom Festival will teach origami and have a coloring area for keiki. Meanwhile, the Mō‘ili‘ili Community Center will host kingyo sukui (goldfish scooping game), and the Mō‘ili‘ili Hongwanji Mission will have a Dharma activity.
Kamehameha Schools will share information about their Waiānuenue Project, a redevelopment project in Mō‘ili‘ili intended to enhance the community’s retail experience. Meanwhile, Freight Farm will present information about their new hydroponic project on the grounds of Varsity parking lot.
SEE ALSO: Our Guide: Bon Dances for Beginners
Photo: Courtesy of Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest
What’s New
The Asato Family Shop will be releasing a collaborative flavor: Kinako Brown Sugar Mochi. Sumofish will also be releasing a new collaborative T-shirt and sticker.
Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest Sneak Peek Preview
The Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest Sneak Peek Preview is back for its second year on Friday, July 5, from 5 to 8 p.m. This preview is free to attend and open to the public, perfect for families seeking andagi, flying saucers and bon dance towels in a more relaxed atmosphere. The collaborative merchandise from Sumofish and Asato Family Shop will also be available for purchase at this event. Enjoy complimentary onsite parking (Friday only).
Participating vendors:
- Ali‘i Fish Market
- Asato Family Shop
- Oli’s Kitchen
- Saucer King 808
- Sama Sama
Photo: Courtesy of Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest
Shopping & Dining
Note: The list of vendors is subject to change.
Food Vendors:
- JJ’z Treatz
- Wrap & Roll Lunchwagon
- Chibi Confectionery
- Waialua BBQ
- Str’Eats of Aloha
- Da Mochi Guys
- Tropicold Wai
- Hott Potstickers
- 808IslandCravings
- Jugem
- Oli’s Kitchen*
- Hawaiian Pie Co
- Sausage Fest Hawai‘i
- Jrs Jamaican Jerk
- Kealoha Seafood/Da Hub
- Asato Family Shop*
- Hawaiian Honey Cones
- Corn Onoz
- Sama Sama*
- Kona Ice
- Jackie’s Kitchen
- Wingman
- Steak Farm
- Sato Seafood
- Fujiyama Texas
- Mō‘ili‘ili Hongwanji Mission Concession/Bon Dance Favorites
- Andagi*
Retail Vendors:
- Kissy Hawai‘i
- Miyako & Co
- It’s About Time
- Toys & Things HI
- Mizmatched Star
- Ku‘uipo Collection
- Cherry Blossom Festival
- Simply Sparkle Design
- Grace Under Cover
- Rainbow Proteas
- Any Kine Snax
- Mise Kimono
- B. Miyo Art
- Koa Kards
- TK World
- Beads & Things by Kori
- Pawloha
- Sumofish*
- Freight Farms
- Noms
- Simply Creative
- Snack Addicted
- Honolulu Fire Department
- Kamehameha Schools
- Mō‘ili‘ili Hongwanji Mission*
- Mō‘ili‘ili Community Center
- Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i
*Vendors that will also be at the Friday Sneak Peek event.
Bathrooms
Onsite restrooms will be provided by Event Sanitation Plus, located on the mauka side of the festival.
Photo: Courtesy of Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest
Where to Park
Free parking will be available at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa with a complimentary shuttle service to the event from 4 to 11 p.m. The Shinnyo-En parking lot on S. Beretania Street will be open from 3 to 10:30 p.m., and donations are welcome.
There will also be limited premium event parking available (mauka of festival, entrance on University Ave.) for $25 from 4 to 10:30 p.m. It will be on a first-come, first-serve basis and will not have in-and-out privileges.
The Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest encourages attendees to rideshare. Rideshare, taxi and handi-van drop-offs are along University Ave.
Photo: Courtesy of Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest
Tips
- Mask up to protect yourself and others. The Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest is one of the biggest bon dances of the season, and thousands are expected to attend. With new variants, COVID-19 is on the rise this summer, so stay vigilant and keep yourself safe.
- Wear comfortable shoes as there will be lots of walking, standing and dancing at the event.
- Dress in your favorite yukata. But if you don’t have one, don’t worry, as traditional wear is not required, just encouraged.
- Arrive early. The free parking lots will fill up fast, and the fest is typically most crowded from 6 to 8 p.m.
- Keep an eye on keiki, and designate areas to meet up. Use the buddy system and keep phones on you to communicate.
Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest, former Varsity Theatre parking lot and Coyne Street, 5 to 10 p.m., moiliilisummerfest.com, @moiliilifest
