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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, January 7, 2006

SATURDAY SCOOPS
Many things Japanese

 •  Virgins of Punk gig is at Coffee Talk tonight
 •  Capitol District art, architecture talks at State Art Museum
 •  'Zorro,' 'Interpreter' kick off Waikiki's Sunset on the Beach events for 2006
 •  Go Jimmy Go at Anna Bannana's, then on to ska tour
 •  'Gem Hunter' on UH screen, with adventure seekers
 •  Pipeline Pro boarders sign up at Ala Moana on world tour
 •  Palace Theatre hosts Electronic Music fest

Advertiser Staff

The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i invites you to feast and fête in celebration of the new year.

Photos from the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i

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NEW YEAR'S 'OHANA FESTIVAL

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow

Mo'ili'ili Field, Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i

Free

945-7633

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Events like mochi-pounding ...

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... flower arranging ...

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... Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki ...

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... and drums are all part of the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii's festivities.

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Bonsai ... anime ... calligraphy ... ikebana ... the tea ceremony ... many things Japanese, and other cultures, too, will be showcased at the New Year's 'Ohana Festival tomorrow at Mo'ili'ili Field and the sponsoring Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i.

Of course, there's food, glorious food, such as:

  • Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki (a pancake-shaped concoction containing veggies, noodles and meat).

  • Freshly pounded mochi (demos at 10:30 a.m., noon and 1:30 p.m. at Mo'ili'ili Field).

  • Zenzai, a sweet soup of azuki and mochi; and ozoni, mochi soup with vegetables.

  • The famous Waffle Dog, thanks to the Asato family, which ran the now-closed KC Drive Inn.

  • A Hawaiian plate, featuring laulau and kalua pork.

    If it's entertainment you're looking for, there's:

  • A stage in the Japanese center's courtyard featuring Japanese and Okinawan performances such as folk dancing, sword and fan dancing, koto and shamisen, and martial arts.

  • A stage at Mo'ili'ili Field that includes taiko drumming, tinikling (Filipino dancing with bamboo poles), Brazilian capoiera, hula and Chinese lion dances.

    There's more: a craft fair with more than 30 vendors; storytelling by Jeff Gere and Janice Terukina; keiki activities, including games and crafts, that reflect the Year of the Dog or Japanese culture; and keiki rides. And it's the final day of the Japanese center's Things Japanese Sale, which features antiques, scrolls and other collectibles.

    Admission to the festival is free; scrip will be sold for food purchases and activities such as games, rides and kids' crafts. A free trolley will take attendees from and to the University of Hawai'i's Dole Street parking garage, where parking also will be free.