Hundreds of Hawaii Island kupuna celebrated Obon on Thursday during the 5th annual Elderly Recreation Services Bon Dance in Hilo.
With the end of Obon season around the corner, about 340 kupuna from around Hawaii County danced to some of Hawaii’s classic bon dance songs to celebrate the Japanese Buddhist holiday together at the Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium.
Bon dances are hosted throughout the island in June, July and August and are open to everyone to spectate or participate.
Elderly Recreation Services staff — part of the county Department of Parks and Recreation’s Elderly Activities Division — decided to start hosting a large dance at the stadium for people who can’t make it to other dances and to give them a chance to socialize with friends they don’t see often.
“We are so blessed with our senior center here, they do so much for us and take such good care of us,” said Ramona Panzer. “I’ve been to some Oahu events, and they are nothing like ours here. I feel so fortunate and lucky to have them.”
Panzer was all smiles as she danced to songs such as, “Tanko Bushi,” “Holehole Ondo,” “Asadoya Yunta,” “Beautiful Sunday,” “Pokemon Ondo” and “The Electric Slide.”
Although she didn’t always know the moves, she had a great time.
“The only thing we need are oxygen tanks under the table,” Panzer joked. “It’s only because I have so much fun, and it makes me feel young to be out there dancing.”
During the event, seniors get a complimentary lunch and the option to craft their own headbands and fans, which are much-needed as the stadium heats up during the day.
Seniors also took photos in front of a beautiful backdrop created by a volunteer and could have the photos printed right afterward.
“We may have overstaffed the event this time, but honestly it’s nice because we don’t always get to see each other as we work all over the island,” said ERS Program Director Cherlyn Koizumi. “This is such a fun time, not only for our kupuna, but for us as well.”
The Kamana Senior Taiko group showed off the skills they’ve learned through the Kamana Senior Center and performed a couple songs between lunch and the final hour of bon dancing.
Before seniors departed back to Hilo, Hamakua, Kohala, Kailua-Kona, Ka‘u and Puna, they danced to the final song of “Fukushima Ondo,” which was played by Puna Taiko.
“It’s truly amazing to look around and see all these happy, beautiful people here,” Panzer said. “Everyone just has an amazing time.”
There are two more bon dances scheduled in Hawaii County. Hilo Daijingu is hosting its dance beginning at 7 p.m. this Saturday, and the final dance, hosted by both Pahala and Naalehu Hongwanjis, begins at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14, at Naalehu Hongwanji.
Other upcoming ERS events include the Kupuna Hula Festival at the Outrigger Kona Resort in Kailua-Kona on Sept. 11 and Sept. 12, the HMSA Akamai Living Fair at the Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 24, and a Halloween Bash at Aunty Sally’s Lu‘au Hale from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 30.
ERS fall classes begin Monday, Sept. 30 and will run until Sunday, Dec. 8.
For more information, visit parks.hawaiicounty.gov/divisions/elderly-activities.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.