LIHU‘E — Members of the Hui Alu Okinawa cultural organization took time out to showcase the Okinawa heritage and culture during the Okinawa Festival that concluded its two-day run, Saturday night at the Kaua‘i Veterans Center in Lihu‘e. With its
LIHU‘E — Members of the Hui Alu Okinawa cultural organization took time out to showcase the Okinawa heritage and culture during the Okinawa Festival that concluded its two-day run, Saturday night at the Kaua‘i Veterans Center in Lihu‘e.
With its members spanning a wide variety of occupations and positions in the community, the Okinawa Festival is a melding of community where the residents of Okinawa descent had an opportunity to demonstrate the pride of their culture and heritage.
“I didn’t know too much about my family and I’m learning a lot now,” said Kaua‘i County Councilwoman Lani Kawahara who was taking her turn at the andagi station, Saturday, chatting with the corps of other volunteers. “I might know a little about some of my relatives, but there’s a lot more to learn.”
Kawahara said she is a proud member of the Hui Alu and wants to broaden her knowledge of the Okinawa influence in Hawai‘i and learn more about her family.
Barbara Bulatao of Kekaha had her granddaughter, Ande Franklin, and Ande’s cousin, Shaianne Montgomery, in tow, stopping to let the young students of Elsie Wilcox Elementary School enjoy some Masa’s Shave Ice.
“I brought them to the Okinawa Festival so they could learn more about their mother’s side of the family,” Bulatao said. “She was a Higa girl.”
The food booth was a major attraction as residents and visitors alike flocked to sample Okinawa cuisine or local food inspired by its Okinawa roots.
“The roast pork is really good,” said Harvey Maeda. “It sold out early Friday and if you don’t have it now, it’ll sell out again.”
Glenna Ueunten, nominated for “Uchinanchu of the Year 2008,” had already done one plate lunch and was getting ready to sample some soup before heading to the Red-and-White football game taking place at neighboring Vidinha Stadium.
Ueunten is the head of the Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko group that opened both nights with its karate-inspired dynamic taiko drumming, utilizing the Okinawa taiko.
Jonathan Chun, the festival’s emcee, said karate originated in Okinawa as a martial arts before spreading to Japan where it took on its Japanese influence.
Many of the performers and musicians performing come from Honolulu to help support the Hui Alu effort and each year, members of Hui Alu travel to O‘ahu during the Labor Day weekend to join in the big Okinawa Festival at Kapiolani Park.
However, with its smaller membership and the high costs of traveling, Kaua‘i hosts the Okinawa Festival every other year, so aficionados of Okinawa culture will either have to travel to O‘ahu for its celebration, or wait two more years until the Okinawa Festival opens up again.
