Hawaii Dragon Boat Festival

Where: Ala Moana Beach Park, across from The Rise

When: Races 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow and 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, with festival from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. both days

Admission: Free

Information: www.chinatownhi.com/dragonboat/index.html

Enter the dragons

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Star Bulletin staff

COURTESY OF STRYKER WEINER & YOKOTA Kilinahe performs Sunday.

Sixteen paddlers armed with oars sit in the belly of the dragon boat, readying for a race to the finish line. A steersman sits quietly in the back of the boat. He will guide their path through the calm waters of Ala Moana Beach Park to the beat of a drummer, also aboard the ship. A man stands watch at the bow of the boat, behind the colorful, painstakingly carved dragon's head. Reaching over the water to grab the floating flag, he will end the race.

The 7th Annual AT&T Hawaii Dragon Boat Festival continues its support of the centuries-old Chinese tradition of dragon boat racing tomorrow and Sunday with entertainment, food and cultural activities great for the whole family.

The tradition of dragon boat racing began in China in the 4th century B.C. when fishermen paid respect to their ancestors and the dragon, which was said to control the waters. Appeasing the dragon through festive ceremonies ensured rain for their crops. The celebration would culminate with dragon boat races.

Since then, dragon boats have found their way to distant shores, including Australia, Singapore, Vancouver, Penang, Thailand, Macau, Taiwan and the U.S.'s West Coast. The annual celebration has become one of three major Chinese holidays; the other two are Chinese New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival.

COURTESY OF STRYKER WEINER & YOKOTA Na Kama also performs Sunday.

Made in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Hawaii's dragon boats boast colorful carved dragon's heads.

The Cup Race Division, starting 8 a.m. tomorrow, pits teams in specific industries. The Open Race, beginning 8 a.m. Sunday, is a single-elimination competition with teams competing at random.

The festival also features live entertainment, international food booths, a Jurassic obstacle course, rock climbing, trackless trains, and Tiger and "TOTanic" slides.

ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE Tomorrow >> 10 a.m. — Philippine Cultural Group of Hawaii Filipino Dance Troupe >> 10:45 — Kilauea Minbu Kai Japanese Dance Troupe >> 11:30 — Keiki Palaka Band (ukulele) >> 12:15 p.m. — Chinese Lion Dance >> 1:00 — Maohu Nui (Polynesian performance) >> 1:45 — Epic Session >> 2:30 — Keahi Conjugacion >> 3:15 — Bamboo Crew >> 4:00 — Believe >> 4:45 — Ka'ala Boys Sunday >> 10:45 a.m. — Daniel Ho >> 11:30 — Kilinahe >> 12:15 p.m. — Greg and Junko MacDonald >> 1:00 — Tamagusuku Ryu Senju Kai (traditional Okinawan dance) >> 2:00 — Son Caribe >> 3:00 — Paiea >> 3:45 — Na Kama >> 4:30 — Kanalo

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