LIHU‘E — Toraichi Marugame celebrated his 91st birthday in style on Saturday. The resident at the Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital long-term care unit was among a group who visited the Kaua‘i Matsuri at the War Memorial Convention Hall. “It really
LIHU‘E — Toraichi Marugame celebrated his 91st birthday in style on Saturday.
The resident at the Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital long-term care unit was among a group who visited the Kaua‘i Matsuri at the War Memorial Convention Hall.
“It really is his birthday,” said Josie Pablo, the Mahelona activities director. “But it’s not a work day, so we’re volunteering so our residents can enjoy this event.”
She and other volunteers transported nine residents to enjoy the cultural show that featured visiting performers from Japan and Honolulu.
The visiting performers were reciprocated with a performance from Breeze Vidinha-Pavao, recently crowned as Miss Keiki Hula 2009.
“Today we have some of our Japanese guests performing hula and guests from Honolulu doing Japanese dance,” Pearl Shimizu of the Kaua‘i Japanese Cultural Society said in the program. “We are embracing different cultures and perpetuate peace to the world.”
Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. joined the KJCS members in opening the day by performing a dance before heading off on a promotional tour of the Northwest.
He and his staff had hosted dignitaries and visitors from three Japan cities that coordinated their visit to Kaua‘i to align with the Matsuri. The dignitaries were greeted by Carvalho at the first Japan Summit Luncheon, Friday at Cafe Portofino in Nawiliwili.
More than 80 people from three cities arrived to participate in the 25th anniversary of the KJCS and the ninth Kaua‘i Matsuri, a county release states.
During the day-long event, local crafters were joined by Japan representatives in offering a variety of exhibits and demonstrations in a variety of Japanese crafts, arts and entertainment.
The first Kaua‘i Matsuri was held in 1984 as part of the Kanyaku Imin bicentennial. Following the celebration of the first arrivals of Japanese immigrants to Hawai‘i, the KJCS was founded in 1985 by Rev. Koichi Miyoshi, then resident minister of the Hanapepe Soto Zenshuji church, and other members.
The aim of the KJCS is to promote and perpetuate the appreciation and understanding of Japanese culture, its arts and values and to foster goodwill and friendship between Japan and the United States.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
