CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Academy of the Pacific student Andi Maurer, left, laughed while trying to beat a taiko drum yesterday during a drumming demonstration by Hawaii Matsuri Taiko. The event at Tokai University on Kapiolani Boulevard during Japan Day exposed students from Moanalua High School and Academy of the Pacific to Japanese culture.

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Chefs from several Oahu restaurants served a pre-Thanksgiving lunch Tuesday at the Institute for Human Services. Helping to serve the food were Steven Ariel, left, Wade Ueoka, Marc Urquidi, Lance Kosaka and Doug Wakida (ladling the gravy), all employed at Alan Wong's eateries; and IHS staffer Pete Muafono, lifting a tray overhead.