STAR-BULLETIN / 2002
Cheryl Nakasone, instructor of Jimpu Kai USA, a performance troupe, performs at last year's Okinawan festival.
Are you
uchinanchu?Even if you're not, you can immerse
yourself in the Okinawan spiritKey events
You can go to any old festival and listen to speeches, watch a parade, eat ethnic foods. But only at the Okinawan Festival will you find a Hairy Chest Contest.
Okinawan Festival
When: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. tomorrow and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. SundayPlace: Kapiolani Park
Admission: Free
Shuttle service: From Kapiolani Community College
Yes, the Okinawans, conceding the point that they are the better-endowed, hair-wise, of the Asian races, are taking it in good humor with this competition. Watch various hairy candidates bare their chests in pursuit of a trophy. The contest takes place at 12:15 p.m. tomorrow, somewhere after the release of the Rainbow Pigeons and Celebrity Kachashi, which is Okinawan free-form dance.
Not that the Okinawan Festival is all about making fun. It has the heavy theme of "Chimu Zurii -- the Beautiful Harmony," and will include many weighty matters.
For example, andagi, the ubiquitous Okinawan doughnut, a dense ball of dough fried in oil. Not to mention adagi's cousin, the And-Dog (a hot dog in adagi batter) and the And-Dog's brother-in-law, the Oki-Dog (a hotdog smothered in chili and shredded pork, wrapped in a tortilla). The first is a fine example of Okinawan-Amerian fusion; the second is just inexplicable.
Food is, of course, crucial to the Okinawan fest, so you'll also find Okinawan versions of soba, yakisoba, pig's feet soup and a Champuru Plate with rafute (shoyu pork) and stir-fried vegetables.
Entertainment runs through both festival days, the highlight being those uchinanchu ukulele masters Jake and Bruce Shimabukuro.
STAR-BULLETIN / 2001
Prof. Shigehiko Shiramizu from Musashi University in Tokyo became an accomplished andagi "dropper" at the Okinawan Festival two years ago.
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Key events
Tomorrow
8:45 a.m.: Opening remarks9 a.m.: Senior clubs Okinawan dancing
10:30 a.m.: Opening procession with lion dance and parade of the Okinawan clubs
11 a.m.: Formal program with speeches by U.S. Reps. Neil Abercrombie and Ed Case, Mayor Jeremy Harris and Kiichi Inamine, governor of Okinawa
12:15 p.m.: Hairy Chest Contest
12:45 p.m.: Celebrity Kachashi
1:15 p.m.: Koto ensemble and other Okinawan musical performances
3 p.m.: Wayne Takamine and the Two Ti Leaf Band
3:30 to 6 p.m.: Radio Okinawa and various performing groups from Okinawa
6:30 p.m. Katareh (contemporary Okinawan music)
7 p.m.: Festival Bon Dance
Sunday
8:50 a.m.: Welcoming remarks9 a.m.: Okinawan dance and martial arts
11: a.m.: Taiko drum performances
1:30 p.m.: Radio Okinawa
3 p.m.: Jordan Segundo
3:20 p.m.: Traci Toguchi
3:40 p.m.: Jake and Bruce Shimabukuro (pictured)
5 p.m.: Closing message and Kachashi free-dancing finale
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calendars and events.
