CULTURE
COURTESY HAWAII UNITED OKINAWA ASSOCIATION
McGwire Ishikawa dresses up as a paranku drummer. You can, too.
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Sharing aloha
A festival promises a taste of Okinawa's distinct culture as well as of its ono food
So much pork. So little time.
This weekend brings the annual Okinawan Festival to Kapiolani Park, and that means pigs' feet soup, shoyu pork, the OkiDog (hotdog and chili in a tortilla), yaki soba (with luncheon meat) and shoyu pork -- not to mention kalua pig in a Hawaiian plate.
24th Annual Okinawan Festival
Hours: 9 to 5 p.m Saturday and Sunday
Place: Kapiolani Park
Admission: Free
Parking: Free shuttle from Kapiolani Community College parking lot (Waikiki side near Diamond Head Road)
Call: 676-5400
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But "Sharing Uchinanchu Aloha" is the theme, meaning there's more going on here than porking out.
The Okinawan Fest, organized by the 52 member-clubs of the Hawaii United Okinawa Association also means much traditional entertainment, including several groups from the motherland, chief among them Naha Daiko, a mesmerizing taiko troupe.
The big event is always the bon dance on Saturday night, billed as the largest in the state.
While you're not eating, dancing or watching the action on stage, try one of these activities in the cultural tent:
» Dress up as a paranku drummer or in traditional kimono with headpiece for a professional portrait. Cost is $25 for an 8-by-10. Hours are 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m.
» Investigate your family genealogy with help from the Okinawan Genealogical Society of Hawaii. Bring your family kanji.
» Watch a calligraphy demonstration; perhaps purchase your family name in calligraphy.
» Take a flower-arranging lesson for $10 from the Ikebana Ikenobo School. Lessons are offered noon to 2 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday.
» Bid on a bonsai plant in a silent auction.
» Take in an exhibit of Okinawan glassware, lacquerware and textiles.
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Highlights
Saturday
9 a.m.
Koto, dance and taiko performances
10:20 a.m.
Opening procession
10:50 a.m
Koten Gassho Classical Ensemble
11:30 a.m.
Opening ceremonies with Gov. Linda Lingle and Mayor Mufi Hannemann
Noon to 5 p.m.
Cultural and martial arts performances, including Muita Taiso, winner of Radio Okinawa's annual song contest.
5:30 p.m.
Bon dance
10:30 p.m.
Last shuttle to Kapiolani Community College parking lot
Sunday
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cultural music, dance and martial arts
2 p.m.
Royal Hawaiian Band
3:10 p.m.
Naha Daiko, taiko group from Okinawa
6 p.m.
Last shuttle to KCC