Baldwin High School is the winner of Honolulu Festival's 6th Annual Maui Mikoshi Design Contest
Baldwin High School, led by teacher Rory Sato, is the winner of the Honolulu Festival Maui Mikoshi Design Contest this year. This is the second time that Baldwin High School has won in the past six years, the last time in 2006.
The Maui Mikoshi Design Contest was developed in 2004 as part of Honolulu Festival's community outreach program. The idea of expanding the Festival's programs to another island besides Oahu and having the young students of Maui learn and appreciate the Japanese culture were key factors in creating this event.
Mikoshi are decorative floats that are unique to specific prefectures in Japan. They are carried by troops of celebrants during their festivals. Each year there is a competition among Maui high school students to design a mikoshi for the Honolulu Festival based on the Festival's theme. The 15th Annual Honolulu Festival to be celebrated March13-15, 2009 has the theme "Heart of the Pacific, Creating our Future." With that in mind high school students from four Maui high schools, Baldwin, Kamehameha, Lahainaluna and St. Anthony, created their mikoshi designs. The designs are judged by officers of the Honolulu Festival Foundation and the criteria for judging is based on which design is most appropriate to the theme and sub-theme of the Honolulu Festival.
Heart of the Pacific by student
Poster Design
Honolulu Festival had an opportunity to talk to Rory Sato, third year Japanese language teacher at Baldwin. When asked what kind of process they used to come up with their design, Sato replied, "Initially, my students brain-stormed the topic "Image of the Pacific" and discussed in class the concept of "Pacific Harmony-Heart of the Pacific, Creating our Future". During the first week each student was assigned the task of designing a mikoshi. The next week they worked in small groups to design a mikoshi, while selecting the best ideas from each individual's design. During the third week, each group's design was posted on the board and students put their comments on any part of the design that they liked and voted for the best mikoshi design to serve as the base mikoshi for the class. Then, they selected the comments that they liked from each group's mikoshi and incorporated these elements into the final design. During the fourth week, students who worked on the base design, and also those artistic students, finalized the mikoshi design for Baldwin High School's representation."
Some of the ideas that they all agreed to include in their design was to inherit traditional cultures such as hula, lei and tiki making, outrigger canoeing, and surfing. It was also important to preserve nature, the Pacific Ocean and marine life including fish, whales and dolphins.
Japanese class sign
Tiki man and surf board
Tiki Torches
The students, a combination of Japanese Classes 2-5, show a lot of interest in Japanese customs that are unusual in the U.S. For instance, Japanese-style house, lunch boxes, handkerchiefs and Japanese school regulations. They also like to learn about food, legends, myths, Japanese comedy and the origin of kanji.
The students of Baldwin High School are excited to attend the Honolulu Festival. Sato says, "It is one of the largest Japanese cultural exhibits in the State. Our students will be able to attend this festival and observe many of the exhibits and performances. They will also have the opportunity to interact with others that are interested in Japanese language and culture. During the parade, students will be able to display their mikoshi and feel proud of their hard work. We want to take in as much of the festival as possible – watch the entertainment; try a wide variety of Japanese foods, arts, and crafts; and most importantly take in the whole experience of being in the parade."
The winning Maui Mikoshi will be unveiled and displayed at the Hawaii Convention Center over the Festival weekend. 29 students from Baldwin High School along with their teacher, parents and chaperones will visit Honolulu during the weekend of the festival and march in the Grand Parade showcasing their award winning mikoshi. Let's all support them by coming out to the parade!
Maui Mikoshi designed by students from Baldwin High School
Baldwin High School students
Mahalo to Hawaii Superferry ！
Hawaii Superferry has generously donated round trip transportation for the Baldwin High School's students and teachers. Thank you very much for your support! [ Hawaii Superferry Interview article ]
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Baldwin High School, led by teacher Rory Sato, is the winner of the Honolulu Festival Maui Mikoshi Design Contest this year. This is the second time that Baldwin High School has won in the past six years, the last time in 2006. 
Mikoshi are decorative floats that are unique to specific prefectures in Japan. They are carried by troops of celebrants during their festivals. Each year there is a competition among Maui high school students to design a mikoshi for the Honolulu Festival based on the Festival's theme. The 15th Annual Honolulu Festival to be celebrated March13-15, 2009 has the theme "Heart of the Pacific, Creating our Future." With that in mind high school students from four Maui high schools, Baldwin, Kamehameha, Lahainaluna and St. Anthony, created their mikoshi designs. The designs are judged by officers of the Honolulu Festival Foundation and the criteria for judging is based on which design is most appropriate to the theme and sub-theme of the Honolulu Festival. 
