The yellow school buses lined up in front of the Hawaii Convention Center on the morning of Friday, March 13, 2009 to drop off Hawaii students ranging from elementary to high school. 971 students from twelve schools in Oahu were invited to the Hawaii Convention Center to get an exclusive behind-the-scene tour of exhibits and performances that were to be featured at the 15th Annual Honolulu Festival. The groups of students went from one booth to another to listen to lectures and interact with the Festival performers.
Ms. Ginger Kamisugi, teacher at Our Lady of Good Consul in Pearl City
The students enjoyed the performances from a variety of countries. They asked questions in between lectures. It appeared that many of them were taking foreign languages as a school subject or studying diverse cultures. They were eager to learn new things as well as experience cultural exchange. As the chairman of Honolulu Daijayama Richard Yasukochi talked about the ogre, a younger student asked if there are good ogres as well as bad ogres. There was a nice question and answer session and many students had smiles on their faces. The students were looking forward to going to the Grand Parade so that they would be able to see the fireworks spurt out of the Daijayama, the fire spitting dragon.
The teachers seemed to have prepared the students with discussions about diverse cultures prior to participating in the tours. Ms. Ginger Kamisugi, teacher at Our Lady of Good Consul in Pearl City, led a group of 90 students. One of their school motto is, "Appreciate all things, all creation. Respect each other's culture." Ms. Kamisugi explained that numerous cultures exist outside of Hawaii and that each of them is very important. She also expressed to her students the importance of protecting our own cultures and traditional customs.
Ms. Jean Ota of Damien High School brought along 100 students from her Japanese language class. She decided to bring her students because she thought that this Festival tour would be a great opportunity for her students to experience the Japanese culture. The Damien students eagerly participated at Ennichi Corner, with the Mikoshi, Manga and anime. They even challenged themselves with the difficult shamisen. The students aggressively absorbed as much Japanese culture as they possibly could in the few hours they had.
Loren of the Alaska Native Heritage Center.
The students were taught native Alaskan dances called "Air Tanga" and "Journey" by the performers of the Alaska Native Heritage Center. The students all seemed to enjoy learning a new dance and did their best. This is the first time for the group from Alaska to participate in the Honolulu Festival. Loren, leader of the group from Alaska, said, "We are all very happy to be able to come to Hawaii and participate in the Festival. Each region of the world has its own local traditions. We call it 'MASINQA'. Each culture's performing art has dances and costumes. Each dance movement expresses a meaning much like the Hawaiian hula. There aren't many differences. We are very happy to be able to share our Native Alaskan culture and traditions with so many of you." It seems that the traditions and culture of Alaska, a northern state, was quite foreign to the children of Hawaii, a southern state. The children were very interested in the headdress and boots that the Alaskan performers wore.
The Anime Corner and Maid Café were very popular with the students. The character "Kon" in his yellow costume from "Bleach" anime was busy taking pictures with all the students. The founder and president of Kawaii Kon, Stan Dahlin, said, "The popularity of anime has spread throughout the world and Hawaii is no exception. There's a lot of information to be obtained about anime however we'd like to create venues where the fans can get together and exchange ideas and information." And that's exactly what the students did, they gathered in the Anime Corner and exchanged ideas and information!
Other performances were the wild dancing of Descendance, the aboriginal dance group from Australia, and the lively dances of Taiwan. And there were Japanese origami and bamboo helicopter toy demonstrations. The students also enjoyed beating the taiko. All in all, the students and teachers had a great time. As they departed they all said, "We really want to come back tomorrow when the Festival is open to the public!"
The students listen to the lecture about Inaho Children Mikoshi. The lecturer was pumped up just like the students.
The musical instruments of Taiwan are introduced. The students and teachers look with curiosity.
The students learn a Filipino dance from the performers. They are all children, quick friendships made!
The students pay attention and learn a Native Alaskan dance.
The wonderful Descendance from Australia. They are the most popular with the children once again!
The students get to practice Manga illustrations. The students are quite serious about deciding which Manga to draw.
[ Participating School ]
Admiral Chester Nimitz Elementary School
Damien High School
Kapolei High School
McKinley High School
Nanakuli Elementary
Nanakuli Elementary Kindergarden
Nanakuli High School
Our Lady of Good Counsel
Goodwill LASR
Saint Francis High School
Waialua High & Intermediate
Wilson Elementary
Maryknoll High School
New Hope Homeschool Co-Op
Maui Mikoshi Contest
The unveiling ceremony of the Honolulu Festival Maui Mikoshi Design Contest was held at the Hawaii Convention Center on March 14, 2009, Saturday. The winner of the design contest this year is Baldwin High School, their second time to win in the past six years.
The students of Baldwin High School's Japanese Class, teacher and chaperones traveled from Maui to participate in the 15th Annual Honolulu Festival. Spectators listened as the teacher and student representative thanked the crowd and expressed their excitement about winning the design contest and participating in the Festival. Some of the students helped unveil the mikoshi so that they could all see it for the very first time. The students and audience clapped as the unveiling was completed. The design was a team effort. Each student helped create the winning design.
Mr. Rory Sato, teacher at Baldwin High School, said, "The team effort was very important in creating the design." The ideas of each student became one team design. The project brought the students closer as a group. Perhaps this result was most important.
This Maui Mikoshi expressed the desire of two separate islands, Japan and Hawaii, to be united. The design expressed that. It vividly represented this year's theme, "Heart of the Pacific, Creating our Future."
The winning Maui Mikoshi was displayed at the Hawaii Convention Center after the unveiling ceremony.
The students of Baldwin High School carried their Mikoshi at the Grand Parade.
The students were excited to carry a Mikoshi for the first time. Great memories were made at the Grand Parade!
The theme of the 15th Annual Honolulu Festival could be seen clearly on the sign.
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The yellow school buses lined up in front of the Hawaii Convention Center on the morning of Friday, March 13, 2009 to drop off Hawaii students ranging from elementary to high school. 971 students from twelve schools in Oahu were invited to the Hawaii Convention Center to get an exclusive behind-the-scene tour of exhibits and performances that were to be featured at the 15th Annual Honolulu Festival. The groups of students went from one booth to another to listen to lectures and interact with the Festival performers.
The unveiling ceremony of the Honolulu Festival Maui Mikoshi Design Contest was held at the Hawaii Convention Center on March 14, 2009, Saturday. The winner of the design contest this year is Baldwin High School, their second time to win in the past six years.
Mr. Rory Sato, teacher at Baldwin High School, said, "The team effort was very important in creating the design." The ideas of each student became one team design. The project brought the students closer as a group. Perhaps this result was most important.
