The Hilo-based Japanese Community Association of Hawaii invites the public to its seventh biennial Kodomo No Matsuri — Children’s Day Festival — from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 10, at the Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin Sangha Hall. Admission is free.
The Hilo-based Japanese Community Association of Hawaii invites the public to its seventh biennial Kodomo No Matsuri — Children’s Day Festival — from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 10, at the Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin Sangha Hall. Admission is free.
Hiroshi Suga, president of the association, said, “the festival is being planned for children of all ages to enjoy and learn about Japanese culture and arts. This year will be especially exciting with the addition of a Kendama performance, demo and competition.”
“We are very excited to have the staff from RAZOR Pearlridge Uptown performing and demonstrating and conducting the Kendama competition. They are also providing the prizes for three winners,” Suga said. “The grand prize is an Emperor Kendama, valued at $185; Jumbo Kendama and a Cherry Wood pro-Kendama. They will also conduct mini-contests with other prizes.”
Registration for the Kendama event starts at 11:30 a.m., with the competition to follow. There is no fee to enter, but entries are limited to 150 participants, ages 5-17.
The day begins with a performance by Hui Okinawa’s Shishimai dog to welcome everyone to the event, and the popular Puna Taiko. Activities begin at 10:30 a.m. with free make-and-take craft events including bonsai, kazeguruma (pin wheel); kabuto hat, origami, oshibana (pressed flower art) and washi chigiri-e (torn paper art).
Other activities, some of which could have a fee, will include sakana tsuri (catch live fish) and shashin satsuai (picture taking).
Japanese calligraphy by experienced calligraphers also will be available to write your name on hanshi (rice) paper, which can be framed and given as gifts. There is a fee.
Look for Doraemon, the Japanese Manga cat, and booths with ono food and snacks, too.
Kodomo No Matsuri is sponsored by Big Island Candies, Isemoto Contracting Co., Suisan Co., Bank of Hawaii, Big Island Toyota, Fukunaga Electrical, HPM Building Supply Foundation; Iris Kuwaye, State Farm Insurance; Robert &Alice Fujimoto Foundation; Sidney Fuke, Planning Consultant, and RAZOR Pearlridge Uptown.