The JCCH and Mo'ili'ili Field will host a showcase of international cuisine and entertainment; cultural art displays and demonstrations; a craft fair and book sale. Keiki activities include kimono dressing, make-n-take activities, games, jumpers and storytelling. All festival activities reflect the JCCH's motto and theme for this year's festival: "Honoring our heritage. Embracing our diversity. Sharing our future."

Admission is free. Scrip for food and other activities (games, jumpers and keiki crafts) can be purchased.

A free shuttle service will run from the University of Hawai'i at MÇnoa's Dole Street parking structure and JCCH throughout the day. Parking is free at the UH Parking Structure, Dole Street (Lower Campus).

For more information, call the JCCH at 945-7633, email info@jcch.com or go to www.jcch.com.

CULTURAL DISPLAYS & DEMONSTRATIONS:

During the fest, visitors can learn about various aspects of Japanese culture in Hawai'i.

The Classic Bonsai Club will display Japanese miniature potted plants, and people can also bring their own plants for advice;

Oahu Anime Explorer and the Kawai Kon will showcase popular anime (Japanese animation) in the JCCH Gallery Theater;

Nihon Shuji's professional calligraphers will demonstrate the art of Japanese calligraphy or shodÿ and write good wishes or other sayings in kanji (Japanese characters) on shikishi (calligraphy board).

Other hands-on activities include origami (paper folding), chigirie (paper tearing art) with Lily Nakao, kumihimo (cord making via braiding) with Carol Nagano and shishu (an elegant Japanese embroidery technique) with the Japanese Embroidery Guild.

Omamori, or good-luck talisman, ofuda (charms) and kumade (New Year's rake) can also be purchased from the Daijingu Temple of Hawaii, Hawaii Kotohira Jinsha – Hawaii Dazaifu Tenmagu and Izumo Taishakyo Mission of Hawai'i.

Storytelling by Aunty Jan (Janice Terukina) and Jeff Gere's wacky tale telling will be featured in the JCCH Gallery Theater. Lynne Waihe'e, former Hawai'i gubernatorial first lady, will also tell tales as part of Read to Me International.

Festival-goers can also purchase books from Bamboo Ridge Press and Mutual Publishing.

The Farrington High School Japanese Club will present go, a Japanese board game of skill, much like a complex version of checkers.

The Urasenke group will also demonstrate a traditional tea ceremony throughout the day in the JCCH Seikÿan Tea House.

Book lovers can browse through dozens of new and used publications in Japanese and English language.

Festival attendees can also check out a vast array of Japanese tea implements or cha dÿgu of all kinds—chawan (tea bowls), mizu sashi (water containers), natsume (tea caddies), shifuku (tea bowl bags), fukusa (special cloths for wiping tea caddies) and habÿki (feather dusters)—that will be on display and for sale in the JCCH Community Gallery.

To show how some of these implements are used in a traditional ceremony, demonstrations of this art form will be presented throughout the day in the JCCH Seikÿan Tea House on the fourth floor.

MULTICULTURAL CUISINE:

Festival-goers can enjoy local and specialty foods prepared by O'ahu kenjin kai (Japanese prefecture clubs), such as:

--Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, a unique prefecture dish that layers vegetables, yakisoba (stir-fried noodles) and meat between a crepe and fried egg that is sprinkled with aonori (dried seaweed), prepared by the Honolulu Hiroshima Kenjin Kai.

--Iwakuni zushi, a special prefecture dish prepared by the Honolulu Yamaguchi Kenjin Kai, is formed using a square mold to shape the sushi rice. Other prefecture dishes will be offered by the Hawaii Fukuoka Kenjin Kai and the Honolulu Fukushima Kenjin Kai.

--Several different types of mochi (glutinous rice cakes) are also being featured: Mitarashi dango, a rice dumpling with a sweet-salty sauce by the Aichi Kenjin Kai; grilled mochi with nori, daifuku (good luck) mochi and kohaku mochi (red and white mochi) by the Yamanashi Kyo Yu Kai and a local favorite, butter mochi by the Miyagi Kenjin Kai.

--Freshly pounded mochi with azuki (glutinous rice that is steamed and pounded into rice cakes and filled with red bean paste), will be prepared by the Tenrikyo Hawaii Dendocho during three mochitsuki (mochi-making) demonstrations on Mo'ili'ili Field. Festival-goers can sample the complimentary treats and even braver festival-goers can try the mochi-making technique of rolling and moistening the rice in a large usu (stone mortar) while a demonstrator systematically hits the rice with a heavy wooden kine (mallet).

Other food vendors will also serve snacks and drinks.

ENTERTAINMENT:

This year's entertainment takes place on two stages — one dedicated to Japanese and Okinawan performances in the JCCH Courtyard and the other stage on Mo'ili'ili Field. More than 20 cultural performances will be showcased, such as: Japanese folk and classical dancing, Japanese sword and fan dancing.

Koto and shamisen will be performed, as well as Okinawan dancing and drumming.

Martial arts, such as karate by the Hawaii Karate Association and Brazilian martial arts will also be demonstrated by Capoeira Hawaii. Local music by Junior Kekuewa Jr. and Sam Jam Spencer will also be performed and the Royal Hawaiian Band will make its festival debut.

A craft fair offers festival-goers the opportunity to buy made-in-Hawai'i trinkets, one-of-a-kind clothing and fun items.

Keiki activities and rides will be offered.