Japan came to the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall for six hours Saturday. Local pockets of Japanese culture were melded into one by the steering committee of Matsuri Kaua‘i 2006 as throngs of people took advantage of the free admission
Japan came to the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall for six hours Saturday.
Local pockets of Japanese culture were melded into one by the steering committee of Matsuri Kaua‘i 2006 as throngs of people took advantage of the free admission to enjoy and learn about the Japanese culture.
Starting with a pre-event dinner hosted by the Kaua‘i Japanese Cultural Society, Kaua‘i Mayor Bryan Baptiste continued his weekend by attending the event and meeting with the delegation from Iwaki City, Japan.
Among those dignitaries were Hiroaki Kobayashi, the secretary general for the Iwaki Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Nobuhiro Watanabe of the Iwaki Tourism and Local Product Association. Deputy Director Sakumi Shimoyamada of the Iwaki City Government rounded out the visiting dignitaries who brought along literature and products unique to the Japanese city.
“If I knew earlier they were from the Chamber of Commerce, I could have done a presentation for our Kaua‘i chamber,” said Sandi Kato-Klutke of ResortQuest who was enjoying the exhibits and demonstrations, one of which involved her son Max and the Lihu‘e Kendo Club headed by Elton Ushio.
Joann Watanabe felt the event would benefit her exchange student from Pakistan and made a day of the trip to Lihu‘e.
Sarwat Murtaza is spending a year at Waimea High School in the 11th grade and made her appearance in her native “shalwarkameez,” or everyday dress. Watanabe explained the garb was sewn by Murtaza’s mother and adorning the exchange student’s wrists were colorful katdana bracelets.
Murtaza was not alone as students from the Waimea High School and Kaua‘i High School Japanese clubs were integral volunteers in helping, coordinating and presenting various demonstrations as well.
Watanabe said following their tour of the Matsuri Kaua‘i 2006, they were planning to visit the Kaua‘i Museum to view the art on display there.
One of the areas Murtaza became engrossed in was the preparation for the noon mochi pounding exhibit as she learned about the glutinous properties of rice.
Throughout the day, entertainment from the various Japanese dance groups and cultural organizations drifted through the hall that was filled with people mingling through the various displays and demonstrations.
Amil Valpoon and members of the Kaua‘i Bonsai Club had an ongoing demonstration on creating bonsai and ceramic artist Wayne Miyata from the Kaua‘i Community College provided hourly demonstrations alongside Takeshi Fujita who kept visitors occupied with oshibana projects.
A Musubi Madness competition kept the Girl Scouts busy and for those who could squeeze time between demonstrations and exhibits, several vendors offered items for sale.
The resounding of taiko by members of Taiko Kaua‘i and the Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko brought the event to a climactic end.
The Kaua‘i Japanese Cultural Society’s aim is the preservation and education of Japanese culture and arts.
Matsuri Kaua‘i 2006 was made possible through the county of Kaua‘i and the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority.
