Two festivals celebrate international cultures

Advertiser Staff

The fire-spitting dragon float will be featured in Sunday's colorful parade that's part of the 11th annual Honolulu Festival.

Honolulu Festival

The 11th annual Honolulu Festival, themed "Pacific Harmony," brings 5,000 performers, artists and spectators from Japan to the island for a celebration of the arts and traditions of Asia and the Pacific. Educational tours for school kids take place today at the Hawai'i Convention Center; events open to the public begin Saturday at several venues.

Among the highlights:

• The world premiere of the documentary "The Castaway," about the adventures of John Manjiro, the first Japanese to set foot on American soil. "Manjiro, Whitfield, Damon: How Friendship and Relationships Begin," a seminar, follows the screening. William Whitfield was a ship captain who rescued Manjiro and brought him to Whitfield's home in Fairhaven, Mass.; Robert Whitfield, a descendant of the captain, will take part in the seminar. The Rev. Samuel Damon helped Manjiro in Honolulu; Dwight Damon, a descendant, also will be on the panel. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Hawai'i Convention Center Room 310.
• Exhibits, demonstrations, entertainment and craft booths will be offered from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the convention center; from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Sunday at Ala Moana's Centerstage; and from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and from 10:50 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. Sunday at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center.
• A grand parade features the fire-spitting dragon float and a giant illuminated float; marching bands, the Cherry Blossom Queen and the Narcissus Queen and others in a Hawai'i contingent; performers from Japan; and Descendance, an Aborigine dance troupe from Australia. From 4:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Saratoga Road, along Kalakaua Avenue, to Kapi'olani Park. Descendance also is scheduled to perform at 10 a.m. Saturday at Ala Moana Center, and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center.

All events are free and open to the public. Information: 596-3327, www.honolulufestival.com.

'Humanity'

The 17th annual International Festival at Kapi'olani Community College is a four-day celebration of lectures, panel discussions, art exhibits, films, dance and music performance, and poetry and literature readings.

Highlights:

• Monday — Hawaiian blessing at 8:30 a.m., outside the 'Ohi'a Cafeteria; Jammarek, high-energy percussion ensemble, 10:30 a.m., 'Ohi'a Cafeteria; international parade of cultures, 12:15 p.m.; Randai of Indonesia, by the University of Hawai'i-Manoa Randai ensemble, which recently staged "Luck and Loss: Manandin's Gamble," 12:30 p.m., 'Ohi'a Cafeteria; the film "Color of Paradise," from Iran, 6:30 p.m., 'Ohi'a Auditorium. Events begin at 8:30 a.m.
• Tuesday — Japan Survivor Game, testing the audience's knowledge of Japan, 10 a.m. session 1, 2 p.m. session 2, 'Ohi'a Cafeteria; Zen archery, 11 a.m., Great Lawn; classical dance of India: Esthai, a temple dance, 11:15 a.m., 'Ohi'a Cafeteria; the film "Everybody Has Secrets," a romantic comedy from South Korea, 6:30 p.m., 'Ohi'a Auditorium. Events begin at 9:15 a.m.
• Wednesday — "Humanity: Longs Drugs, Tattoos & Tears," author/playwright/Advertiser columnist Lee Cataluna and author Chris McKinney will read from their books and talk about their writing, 9:15 a.m., 'Ohi'a Auditorium; Kenny Endo taiko ensemble, 11:30 a.m., 'Ohi'a Cafeteria; "Pao Doce, Poetry & Piping Hot Coffee," 12:15 p.m., 'Iliahi 231F; the film "Perfect Blue," from Japan, 6:30 p.m., 'Ohi'a Auditorium. Events begin at 9:15 a.m.
• Thursday — Chinese lion dance, 9:30 a.m., 'Ohi'a Cafeteria; "Poems, Stories and Humanity," with authors Eric Chock and Juliet Kono, 10:45 a.m., Kalia 102; international talent and fashion show, noon, 'Ohi'a Cafeteria; the film "When I Was Puerto Rican," USA, 4:30 p.m., 'Ohi'a Auditorium. Events begin at 9:30 a.m.

Also, a Native Hawaiian health and craft fair takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday on the mall.

Admission is free, and the public is invited. 734-9715.