KUKUI GROVE — In honor of Hina Matsuri, or Girls’ Day, on Tuesday, the Kaua‘i Japanese Cultural Society combined both Girls’ Day and Boys’ Day celebrations into a singular Children’s Day Festival on Saturday at the Kukui Grove Shopping Center.
KUKUI GROVE — In honor of Hina Matsuri, or Girls’ Day, on Tuesday, the Kaua‘i Japanese Cultural Society combined both Girls’ Day and Boys’ Day celebrations into a singular Children’s Day Festival on Saturday at the Kukui Grove Shopping Center.
Naoko Ho, a KJCS leader, was thrilled that the Japanese clubs from all three of Kaua‘i’s public high schools were involved in this year’s presentation of traditional dance and culture honoring children.
The students offered up a contemporary twist to the traditional dance and song presentations from the various clubs.
Josie Pablo, the recreational director for the long-term care unit at Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital, took advantage of the day-long celebration to transport some of the hospital’s residents to enjoy the traditional offering of Japanese culture.
“We had a problem with the bus, though,” Pablo said. “The lift decided not to work so we had to unload everyone by hand.”
But she was not alone as her daughter Veronica, working to try and get into the nursing program at Kaua‘i Community College, was available to help along with Elaine Morita who
accompanied the group to the mall.
The residents enjoy this type of activity so we take advantage of what the community is offering to let our residents have fun, Pablo said.
Joining the lineup of dancers and singers, the Kaua‘i Bonsai Club presented a variety of specimens on display with its members available to discuss their respective plant or techniques used to create it.
That format worked well for the club as a steady stream of shoppers gazed at the display, taking time to chat with club members about their own experiences with plants.
Children’s Day is celebrated in Japan when families celebrate the healthy growth and happiness of children, states an online source. It became a national holiday in 1948, but it had been a day of celebration in Japan since ancient times.
Children’s Day was first celebrated worldwide in October 1953 under the sponsorship of the International Union for Child Welfare in Geneva.
This idea was introduced by eighth-grader Rubab Mansoor and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1954.
The Universal Children’s Day is celebrated Nov. 20 each year and is done to promote mutual exchange and understanding among children and to initiate action to benefit and promote the welfare of the world’s children while celebrating childhood.
Today, Children’s Day is celebrated by many different countries around the world with each country hosting its own celebration, not necessarily coinciding with Nov. 20.
Traditionally, the fifth day of the fifth month was called Tango no Sekku and was a festival for boys.
Huge carp streamers, or koi nobori, were flown outside the house and dolls of famous warriors and other heroes were displayed inside.
The koi, or carp, was selected because it symbolizes strength and success.
The girls festival is on the third day of the third month and is called Hina Matsuri, or doll festival.
The bonsai club selected specimens that represented each of the celebrations — strong, aged trees that represent strength and character, and plants with delicate branches and pink blooms representing the delicate nature of girls.
Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com
