Congratulations to the Emperor!

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Japanese Consul General Shigeo Iwatani, center, and his wife, Yuko, welcomed several hundred guests to a lawn party Thursday celebrating the 72nd birthday of Emperor Akihito. Jeff Coelho, left, stood in for Mayor Mufi Hannemann, Theodore E. Liu, second from left, represented Gov. Linda Lingle, and James J. Nakatani, right, spoke on behalf of U.S. Rep. Ed Case. Former Gov. George Ariyoshi led the crowd in a formal "kampai" toast.

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Gregg E. Mueller, former chairman of the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce, caught up with Satomi Bernstein of K-Japan AM 690 as she enjoyed a plate of sushi. There was a long line at both of the sushi stations for most of the evening so impatient partyers enjoyed the excellent (and filling) saimin instead.

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Australian Consul General John Quinn, back, and his wife, Alison, in front of him, joined Rear Adm. Michael Vitale, left, his wife, Debbie, and Rear Adm. Michael Tracy outside one of the large lawn tents. They agreed that the party was a perfect way to start the new month.

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Honolulu City Prosecutor Peter Carlisle, center, discussed the news of the day with Brig. Gen. Tanker Snyder, left, and Col. John J. Kelly. Kelly's ribbons, badges and unit patches show that he's served in elite units, but he says he's prouder of his children's military service.

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Royal Danish Consul Larry Vogel, left, and his wife, Anna Lisa, greeted Charlotte and Peter Schall. Schall relinquished his post as honorary German consul about the same time he retired from Hilton Hawaii, but says he still has a lot to do these days even though "I don't have to go to work."