Largest Bon Dance On Sept. 15

Residents have two more chances to practice their bon dance moves this month in West Oahu.

Considered the largest indoor bon dance on the island, the Autumn Okinawa Dance Matsuri (festival) is being planned for 5:30 to 10 p.m. Sept. 15 at Hawaii Okinawa Center in Waipio.

The annual event signals the official end to the 2012 bon dance season and will include live music, ono food, free admission and parking — on the grounds or on the street — for all attendees.

Sponsored by Hawaii United Okinawa Association (HUOA) two weeks after its huge, traditional festival at Kapiolani Park, the event draws hundreds of people in kimonos, happi coats and eisa outfits who dance to the sounds of the sanshin and cheer “iya sassa-ha iyaa!” — when they’re not eating freshly prepared andagi or musubi.

The center is located at 94-587 Ukee St. For more information, call 676-5400. • Getting into the obon season calendar just prior to the HUOA festivities is Pearl City Nursing Home, which will host its own bon dance from 5 to 7:30 p.m. this Saturday at 919 Lehua Ave. In addition to the Pearl City Hongwanji Dancers and music by Ewa Fukushima Bon Dance Club, the nursing home plans food, crafts, shave ice, andagi, Kettle Korn and a bake sale for the crowd, with all proceeds going to its resident activity fund.

For more information, call 687-3280.