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About 3,500 artisans, craftspeople, musicians and dancers from more than 20 prefectures in Japan will join their Hawaii counterparts for the 8th annual Honolulu Festival running Friday through Sunday. Japan’s best will enliven
Honolulu FestivalStar-Bulletin
The event gives Hawaii residents an opportunity to view firsthand some of Japan's most cherished arts, exhibits and performances, many of which have never been seen outside of Japan. The event, themed "Come Together in the Pacific," opens with ceremonies at Honolulu Hale tonight, featuring a preview of the three-day festival highlights.
Entertainment, exhibitions and demonstrations will continue at Ala Moana Center, Kapiolani Park Bandstand and the Hawaii Convention Center.
Where: Honolulu Hale, Ala Moana Center, Hawai'i Convention Center and Kalakaua Avenue 8th annual Honolulu Festival
Admission: Free
Call: Festival hot line, at 597-8100, or go online at www.honolulufestival.com
New this year is the Na Kupuna Hula Festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, featuring dancers ages 35 and older from Japan and Hawaii performing auana, or modern hula.
Also making its debut will be the Uneme Taiko, a giant drum float from the Uneme Festival in Koriyama City, Fukushima prefecture, that weighs two tons and stands 14 feet tall. During the Grand Parade from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday, 10 drummers will ride atop the Uneme Taiko as it glides down Kalakaua Avenue. Other percussionists will accompany the imposing float, playing smaller taiko.
Parade spectators also will be treated to a view of one of the world's tallest and longest floats. Standing 53 feet high and weighing close to two tons, Uozu Tatemon comprises more than 90 lanterns that form the shape of a giant ship. Eighty men are needed to hoist and spin the Tatemon as they walk the parade route.
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Following is a partial schedule for the 8th annual Honolulu Festival. Note that events are subject to change: HONOLULU FESTIVAL
Today
>> 6 to 7 p.m. -- Opening ceremony at Honolulu Hale will feature a sake barrel breaking ceremony with traditional toast, and performances by Wamiles Odorikotai Bishojo, Akita City Kanto Kai, Sato Kagura and Suga Yosakoi Narukoen.
Tomorrow
>> 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. -- Headlining the entertainment at Ala Moana Center's Center Stage will be Hanohano Hula Ooita and Studio Hoaloha (Japan hula troupes), the Uneme Matsuri Taiko Performance Group, and the koto group Koto Shakuhachi Sakata-shi Yachiyokai. In addition, the Honolulu Academy of Arts will be waiving its $7 admission fee for festival-goers.>> 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. -- The lineup of performers at the Hawai'i Convention Center includes Japan recording star Yuri Chika, Hui Hula Naleikalakupua (a Japan hula troupe), the Suga Yosakoi Naruko-Ren dance troupe, Leilani Hula Studio, the Star of Tokyo marching band and baton twirling unit, Hawaii ukulele master Jake Shimabukuro, Iolani School Dance Team, Hawaii Lion Dance Association, and the koto groups Taishogoto G. Tanuki, and Koto Shakuhachi Sakata-shi Yachiyokai. Traditional cultural displays on view through Sunday include Sogetsukai (flower arranging), Pop-Lar (bead crafts) and the Uozu Tatemon float. Special exhibitions through Sunday include the Japan Food & Health Fair.
Sunday
>> 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. -- At the Hawai'i Convention Center, the spotlight shines on Roy Sakuma's Ukulele Studio, Studio Hoaloha, Uneme Taiko, Sistah Robi Kahakalau, the koto group Okada Koshinryu Taisho Goto, and the Na Kupuna Hula Festival.>> 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. -- Appearing at Ala Moana Center's Center Stage are Taishogoto G. Tanuki, Suga Yosakoi Naruko-Ren, and NHK Mito Bunka Center Hula.
>> 5 to 9 p.m. -- The festival highlight, a Grand Parade down Kalakaua Avenue, will feature marching bands from several Oahu high schools, the reigning Cherry Blossom Queen and her court, the reigning Narcissus Queen and her court, Nissen Ladies Kimono Kai (performing a bon dance in traditional kimono), Star of Tokyo and Theatrical Musical Theater MIMICO (performing mini plays based on traditional Japanese tales and samurai stories).
For the first time this year, the parade will be broadcast live on KHON (Fox), from 6 to 7 p.m.
>> 5 to 9 p.m. -- The grand finale takes place at Kapiolani Park Bandstand, with performances by Yuri Chika and Reign, an awards ceremony, food booths and Japanese and Hawaiian arts and crafts.
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