CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU
Members of the Jyohoku Ruy Tsuyadaiko from Chiba Prefecture, Japan, will bring their taiko skills to Sunset on the Beach as one of the Pan-Pacific-Matsuri in Hawaii cultural events.
Festival links
Hawaii, JapanDrums start Sunset on the Beach
The 24th annual Pan-Pacific Festival-Matsuri in Hawaii once again celebrates the Japan and Hawaii connection with a celebration of drums and dance, pageantry and parades.
Today through Sunday, a colorful mix of musicians, artists and dancers from Japan will share cultural traditions, dance, music and food through events around Oahu.
Among the highlights are tonight's Pan-Pacific Ho'olaule'a on Kalakaua Avenue, which will be closed to cars and packed with pedestrians, street performers and an open-air international marketplace of ethnic food.
Then come back for more via a Pan-Pacific Matsuri Parade on Sunday, with visitors and kamaaina lining Kalakaua to view the street performances, taiko drummers, dancers and floats.
Since its 1980 inception, the mission of the Pan-Pacific Festival-Matsuri in Hawaii has been to promote intercultural friendship and overcome language and geographic barriers through shared interests. Today, the festival is one of Hawaii's largest multi-cultural events.
For more information, call 265-6225 or visit www.pan-pacific-festival.com. Here is the schedule of events:
COURTESY OF PAN-PACIFIC FESTIVAL-MATSURI IN HAWAII
A street performer is part of the Pan-Pacific Matsuri Parade that this year takes place Sunday.
Today
>> Performing Arts Showcase: Cultural performances 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ala Moana Center's Center Stage.>> Pan-Pacific Ho'olaule'a: This Waikiki street party brings fun for all and features ethnic food, street performers and local entertainment. Partygoers can see the return of the larger-than-life, 12-foot Ushioni float. With the head of a demon and the body of an ox, this float is sure to be a crowd pleaser. From 6:10 p.m. to 10 p.m. along Kalakaua Avenue.
Saturday
>> Performing Arts Showcase: Festivities continue with cultural performances from the Pan-Pacific region, ranging from taiko drumming to traditional and modern song and dance. From 2 to 6 p.m. at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, Fountain Courtyard, and 4 to 6 p.m. at Ala Moana Center's Center Stage.>> Third Annual Pan-Pacific Hula Festival: Halau from Japan and Hawaii unite to showcase island traditions with hula performances. From 1 to 3:30 p.m. at Ala Moana Shopping Center's Center Stage
Sunday
>> 3rd Annual Hawaiian Half Marathon & 5-mile Fun Run/Walk: Runners take their mark for a challenging 13.1-mile half marathon that provides breathtaking views of Waikiki and famous Hawaii landmarks. This event is sanctioned by the U.S. track and field association. The 5-mile fun run/walk will follow the half-marathoners. For registration and more information, visit www.pan-pacific-festival.com.The Half Marathon starts at 5 a.m. with a course from Magic Island to Kalakaua Avenue, through Kahala to Kapiolani Park. The fun run/walk starts at 6 a.m. at Monsarrat Avenue, looping around Diamond Head to Kapiolani Park.
>> Performing Arts Showcase: Cultural performances 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Ala Moana Center's Center Stage, and 2 to 5 p.m. at Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center's Fountain Courtyard.
>> Pan-Pacific Matsuri Parade: The highlight of the festival. Costumed cultural performers and musicians, rhythmic taiko drummers, and exotic floats parade through Waikiki at sunset. Showstoppers include the Onbashira, a 30-foot float symbolic of the Onbashira festival held every six years in Nagano, Japan. During the festival, large trees are cut from the mountains to replace the pillars around the four corners of Suwa Shrine, one of Japan's oldest, most sacred shrines. The event starts at 5 p.m. at Fort DeRussy, making its way to Kapiolani Park at 7 p.m.
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Drums give special
start to film night
Sunset on the Beach returns to Waikiki. Tomorrow's pre-show event hosts seven colorful taiko drum performers from Chiba Prefecture, Japan, recognizing the Pan-Pacific Festival this weekend.
The Jyohoku Ryu Tsuyadaiko, comprising female students ages 17 and 18, will perform 5:30 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Queen's Surf Beach.
A highlight of the Sunset on the Beach event is the film screening that begins at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow and Sunday. Tomorrow's film is the Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes romantic comedy, "Maid in Manhattan."
On Sunday, it's "Die Another Day," the latest James Bond action adventure starring Pierce Brosnan as James Bond and Halle Berry as Jinx.
As usual, restaurants will offer food for sale. Participants this weekend are Royal Hawaiian Hot Dog, Oliveneo's, Leo's Greek Taverna, Compadres, Time 2 Grind, New Century Restaurant, Ba-le, Popcorn Express and Pizza Hut.
In addition, those who show up during the day can browse through a craft fair of "Made in Hawaii" products.
For more information, call the city's information office at 523-CITY (2489).
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calendars and events.
