COURTESY OF JAPANESE CULTURAL CENTER OF HAWAII Cultural demonstrations include the Chado Urasenke Tanko Kai Hawaii Association's tea ceremony presentation.

Celebrate the Year
of the Rooster

The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii is getting a jump-start on celebrating the Year of the Rooster, at its free annual New Year 'Ohana Festival taking place 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday at Moiliili Field and JCCH, 2454 S. Beretania St.

There will be multicultural cuisine, cultural art displays and demonstrations, a craft fair, antiques and book sale, games, rides, and keiki make-and-take activities.

Among the displays will be anime presented by the Japanese Animation Society of Hawaii, calligraphy by Nihon Shuji members, ikebana, origami, bonsai from the Classic Bonsai Club, and demonstrations of traditional tea ceremonies in the fifth-floor Seikoan Tea House by the Chado Urasenke Tanko Kai Hawaii Association.

There will be a "Things Japanese Sale" in the JCCH Community Gallery, with items that include kimono and obi, Japanese scrolls, dish sets and antiques. JCCH members will receive a 10 percent discount off sales more than $5 (membership card must be shown). A booth will be set up for those who want to become members.

COURTESY OF JAPANESE CULTURAL CENTER OF HAWAII A lesson in ikebana, or flower arranging.

And what would a local celebration be without multicultural cuisine? Booths will offer local specialties, as well as Japanese dishes prepared by local Kenjin Kai or prefecture clubs, whose mission is to broaden awareness of different regions of Japan. For instance:

» Hiroshima-style okono-miyaki: A dish that layers vegetables, yakisoba (stir-fried noodles) and meat between a crepe and fried egg sprinkled with aonori (dried seaweed flakes); prepared by the Honolulu Hiroshima Kenjin Kai.

» Iwakuni sushi: Vinegar rice is pressed with kampyo (dried seasoned gourd), eggs, shiitake mushrooms, hasu (lotus), shrimp flakes and lettuce; prepared by the Honolulu Yamaguchi Kenjin Kai.

» Fukushima bento: Includes grilled salmon, karaage (fried) chicken, sweet potato tempura, takuan and more provided by the Fukushima Kenjin Kai and made by Tokyo Bento.

» Zenzai: Waikiki Prince Hotel head chef Goran Streng will prepare the Japanese New Year's dessert, zenzai, a soup of azuki beans and mochi.

In addition, Hawaii's former first lady Jean Ariyoshi will autograph copies of her book "Washington Place, A First Lady's Story" from noon to 2 p.m. in front of the JCCH Gallery.

A complimentary trolley service will run from the University of Hawaii at Manoa Dole Street parking structure, where parking is free, and JCCH throughout the day. For more information, call 945-7633.

COURTESY OF JAPANESE CULTURAL CENTER OF HAWAII Sample Hiroshima-style okonomi-yaki, or meat-and-vegetable egg "pancake" prepared by the Honolulu Hiroshima Kenjin Kai.

COURTESY OF JAPANESE CULTURAL CENTER OF HAWAII There will be two stages of entertainment at the New Year 'Ohana Festival. Performances range from traditional to modern, and martial arts demonstrations will also take place in the JCCH Kenshikau Dojo.