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Megabon 2026

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Megabon Hawaiʻi returns to Leeward Community College on Saturday, September 12, bringing the community together for an evening of bon dance, taiko and cultural performances.

Presented by JCI Honolulu, Megabon celebrates the traditions that connect Hawaiʻi’s communities through music, movement and shared experiences. Whether you’re a longtime bon dancer or attending for the first time, everyone is invited to take part.

The evening begins with an opening ceremony at 4:10 p.m., featuring Leeward Community College representatives, Bishop Cosmo Hirai, Ryugen Taiko and members of Hālau Ka Waikahe Lani Mālie and Hālau Kahulaliwai.

Bon dancing begins at 4:40 p.m. with performances and participation from:

  • Hawaiʻi Shin Kobu Kai
  • Waipahu Soto Mission Bon Dance Class
  • Oʻahu District Bon Dance Club
  • Hawaiʻi Eisa Shinyuu Kai
  • ʻEwa Fukushima Bon Dance Club

A half-time performance featuring Chinagu Eisa and Ryugen Taiko begins at 6:20 p.m., followed by a second rotation of bon dancing at 7 p.m. Closing activities begin at 8:45 p.m., with the evening concluding with Fukushima Ondo.

Watch Megabon Online

Can’t attend in person? ʻŌlelo Community Media is supporting online coverage of Megabon Hawaiʻi, produced by EMP Live Designs.

The livestream will primarily follow the evening’s program and include interviews with participating sponsors and vendors between performances. Live coverage is tentatively expected to run from 4 to 9 p.m.

The final livestream time, official program title and viewing information will be shared once confirmed.

Learn more about the event at megabonhawaii.com.

The 44th Annual Okinawan Festival returns to the Hawaiʻi Convention Center on September 5 and 6, 2026, for a weekend of Okinawan food, music, dance, cultural activities and family fun.

Presented by the Hawaii United Okinawa Association (HUOA), the festival is supported by hundreds of volunteers who help keep Okinawan traditions thriving in Hawaiʻi.

The Okinawan Festival is powered by volunteers whose dedication extends far beyond the festival weekend. Each year, HUOA volunteers work alongside ʻŌlelo Community Media to help film the performances and activities that bring the festival to life. They give their time, share their production knowledge and help ensure these important cultural moments are documented for the wider community.

Their impact also reaches the next generation. During this year’s festival, HUOA and ʻŌlelo volunteers will work with students from Waipahu and Leilehua high schools as they learn how to operate cameras and film a live community event. By guiding students through a real production, these volunteers are helping young people build practical media skills while passing on the importance of preserving and sharing Okinawan culture.

Festival Hours

Saturday, September 5, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, September 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Hawaiʻi Convention Center

Visit okinawanfestival.com for tickets, schedules, parking information and updates.

Mahalo to Waipahu High School for inviting ʻŌlelo Community Media to participate in its inaugural Academy of Arts & Communication Kick Off Day.

During the event, students took part in interactive sessions focused on podcasting and animation. ʻŌlelo staff guided students through the podcasting process and introduced them to the tools and techniques used to bring stories to life. Students also received a hands-on look at different animation tools and software, giving them an opportunity to explore another creative approach to storytelling.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to connect with Waipahu High School’s emerging storytellers and support students as they build their skills in media, communication, and the arts.

ʻŌlelo Community Media recently returned to McKinley High School to introduce students to careers in video production and animation. Through engaging presentations, students learned about the skills, tools, and opportunities available in these creative career pathways.

The second half of our summer was all about educator training! Teachers from Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island joined us for hands-on classes in Animation, Video Podcasting, and Creative Media.

Educators explored new tools, developed their creative skills, and discovered fresh ways to bring digital storytelling into the classroom.