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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, January 12, 2008

Celebrate the New Year the Japanese way

Advertiser Staff

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

The Okinawan drum group Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko performed at a past New Year's 'Ohana Festival.

Photos from Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i

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NEW YEAR'S 'OHANA FESTIVAL

10 a.m.-4 p.m. tomorrow

Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i and Mo'ili'ili Field

Free admission (scrip will be sold for food and activities such as games and keiki crafts)

945-7633

Also: Park free at the University of Hawai'i's parking structure and take the free trolley to the festival.

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

The festival menu features multicultural cuisine, as well as uncommon Japanese dishes. Members of the Honolulu Hiroshima Kenjin Kai prepared Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, an egg and stuffed crepe snack, at a previous festival.

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

It wouldn't be a Japanese New Year's fest without mochitsuki, old-fashioned mochi-pounding. Sweet rice is pounded into a sticky dough that's made into soup dumplings and snacks.

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Bonsai, origami, storytelling, traditional tea ceremony, anime, mochi and plate lunches. We could go on and on, but you'll just have to see for yourself all the wonders of the New Year's 'Ohana Festival tomorrow at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i and Mo'ili'ili Field.

The annual festival, presented by the center, showcases much Japanese culture and a diversity of entertainment. There's also a craft fair, book sale and games, rides and make-and-take activities for the kids.

On the menu: okonomiyaki (layers of veggies, noodles and meat stuffed between a crepe and fried egg); several kinds of mochi; KC Drive Inn's famous Waffle Dog; andagi and more.

On the entertainment lineup: A stage in the cultural center's courtyard will focus on Japanese and Okinawan performances, including folk and classical dance, sword and fan dance, koto and shamisen; the other stage, at Mo'ili'ili Field, will feature diverse sounds including music by Junior Kekuewa Jr. and Sam Jam Spencer and the Royal Hawaiian Band.

THERE'S MORE

The cultural center's first Cha Dogu (Japanese tea implements) Sale, featuring bowls, water containers, tea caddies and other special utensils, launches from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow at the gallery on the center's first floor. Prices range from $20 to $250. Proceeds will go toward maintaining the center's teahouse on the fourth floor and to three tea-ceremony schools (Edosenke Fuhakukai Hawaii, Omotesenke Domonkai Hawaii and Urasenke Foundation of Hawaii).

The sale continues from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, through Jan. 26. Admission is free.