Halko Momoi moving forward and brings Japan’s beloved Anime Culture (Akihabara Culture) overseas to Hawaii!
There have been many performance groups in the past that have promoted cultural understanding and ethnic harmony at the Honolulu Festival. And this year we were able to add Anime Culture, a culture that Japan is very proud of by way of Halko Momoi, famous Japanese anime voice actress. Her goal is to “share Anime Culture overseas.” And that is exactly what she was able to do at the Honolulu Festival. Momoi, a very busy singer, songwriter and actress, brought along her fans from Japan to Hawaii to enjoy the 14th Annual Honolulu Festival.
Halko Momoi loved anime and video games as a child and wrote her own column about anime on the internet during high school. She began to appear on television and radio as an emcee and even produced mobile idol.
She is an anime voice actress, song writer and singer. Momoi is very talented. She has released her own CD and DVD. She has also performed at International Anime Expos.
Momoi, along with 20 of her loyal fans, performed on stage at the Hawaii Convention Center for the 14th Annual Honolulu Festival and was able to win over the audience and create “Akihabara Frenzy.”
Her fans call her “Momooooi” and they call themselves “Momoists”. These “Momoists” can be found not only in Japan but also all over the world including the United States. Kent, a Momoist residing in California, came to Honolulu along with 4 other Momoists to see Momoi perform at the Hawaii Convention Center. Kent became a loyal fan of Momoi through the internet in 1998 and has since traveled to many of her concerts all over the world.
Her American fans, eager to make Momoi popular and well known in the United States, came prepared with English song sheets of her more popular songs and glow sticks with her name on it to pass out to the audience. Her fans worked together to “distribute Momoi’s storybook to the people of Hawaii.”
Her fans from Japan and from the rest of the world were here at the Honolulu Festival to support her during her performances and to promote friendship and goodwill with the people attending her events.
Momoi quickly made herself comfortable on the Main Stage at the Hawaii Convention Center on March 15th and March 16th. Dressed in her mini anime costume and constantly smiling, Momoi captured the hearts of the audience immediately. Although her allotted time was twenty minutes she gave it her all, singing many of the songs she is known for without taking a break. She even asked the audience if it was okay for her to drink some water which was quite adorable. Her fans from Japan and those in Hawaii cheered her on by dancing in front of the stage and in the aisles with glow sticks that they brought specifically designed with Momoi’s name on it. The fans shared the glow sticks with the many spectators. The fans knew the dance movements for each number. What a powerful sight!
Momoi sang gently with all her feelings.
Perhaps the audience moved her to tears…
|
She sings with all her might to the cheers
from her Hawaii audience. |
Her loyal fans support her by dancing
along to her song. Awesome. |
Momoi and her fans are in synch
as they jump together! |
The local children and even the older people in the audience, people who first learned of Momoi at the Honolulu Festival, danced along with her fans and cheered her on with the glow sticks. Momoi’s showmanship attracted new fans, even those that were not part of the Japanese anime culture. The synergy that was created by the live performance between Momoi and her fans surpassed anime power. It was definitely a unique opportunity for a Japanese subculture to travel across the Pacific Ocean and connect with the people of Hawaii.
Even Jackie Inada who has been living in Hawaii for over 25 years and could have had a grandchild Momoi’s age was impressed and said, “Momoi’s powerful voice matches perfectly with the huge stage here at the Hawaii Convention Center. I like her upbeat and modern songs.”
An older spectator asked inquisitively to a spectator from Japan about Momoi’s sailor outfit and loose socks, “What is that?” This was all new to many.
Her new fans from Japan
and Hawaii joined together
and cheered her on
|
A local fan enjoys Momoi’s
performance, glow stick
in hand |
Momoi takes a picture with
her new fan. Please come
back to Hawaii and perform
for us! |
Momoists got on stage and created a frenzy |
A group picture, Momoi and her Momoists |
And after her performance Momoi signed autographs for all her fans who lined up to get an opportunity to meet her. And although she said, “I can’t speak English,” to many of her American fans you could see that she was able to communicate very well, heart to heart.
Anime Culture has spread throughout the world and the culture that originates from Japan is exceptionally valued and is popular internationally. Having Momoi, a representative of Japan’s anime culture, come to Hawaii and share her performances with the people of Hawaii is truly a new way to promote goodwill and cultural exchange.
We look forward to having Japanese anime characters perform on stage and at the parade, intermingling with the spectators from all over the world. Perhaps in the future we can look forward to seeing anime characters from Japan, America and other Pacific Rim countries all participating at the Honolulu Festival. It would be a cultural exchange of anime characters! That would be a sight to see. Momoi, thank you for bringing something new to the 14th Annual Honolulu Festival!
Momoi Halko live movie in Hawaii
spectator interview
Momoi Halko Officual Blog (Japanese)
http://ameblo.jp/momoi-ktkr/
Momoi Halko Official Website (Japanese)
http://www.right-gauge.jp/
