Happy Lunar New Year!
Laurie Ho (the Monday Pau Hana Market was on the eve of the Lunar New Year, and aren’t we supposed to feast then?) said she remembers David Sosner talking about Mandarin oranges during the Lunar New Year in China.
Kudos to U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele on coinciding his site visit to Kaua‘i with the special time of the year where he got to meet with the new Kaua‘i Filipino Chamber of Commerce President Cyndi Ayonon (yes, coach Bobby Ayonon was there, too), past President Randall Francisco, other community leaders including Taylor and Karen Shigemoto, Monica Belz and more.
Lunar New Year celebrations start Friday (hope you got your RSVPs because that’s the admission to the COVID-19-safe event) when The Shops at Kukui‘ula host the Chinese lion and Tsunami Taiko with the blasting of firecrackers.
For those who missed out on the RSVPs, Tsunami Taiko and the lion come out Saturday at Kukui Grove Center in Lihu‘e starting at 11 a.m. for an opportunity for individuals to offer lai see (money) for good luck in the Year of the Tiger.
The lion will be followed by Soul Fire, which has its dragon ready for a performance, and Diane Rubio and Falling Down Romance is ready with their music that is flavored with the Oriental touch, all definitely not to be missed. Just remember, wear your face masks, and social distancing, please. We still have that omicron bug floating around.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.