14th Annual Honolulu Festival (2008)

The 14th Annual Honolulu Festival(2008)

The Grand Parade was held for the finale on Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki on the final day of the Honolulu Festival on Sunday, March 16.

The participating groups were gathered by the starting point at Fort DeRussy Beach Park, which they looked anticipated and nervous at the same time. Also, there were spectators that were looking for a best spot to watch the parade, which the roadside of Kalakaua Avenue was filled with lots of spectators before the starting. They were smiling and cheering with excitement as the parade began.

The first appearance was the U.S. Fleet Band. Some of the spectators quickly stood up, took their hats and welcomed the band when they saw the American and U.S. Navy flags, which showed strong U.S. patriotism.

And next appeared was Mufi Hanneman, who is the Mayor of Honolulu. He was with a convertible but he was walking instead of riding on it. His friendliness may be the secret of his popularity. Some of the spectators were yelling “Mufi!” from the roadside.

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Furthermore, Cherry Blossom Princess, Narcissus Queen and the Honolulu Sister City Goodwill Delegation from Hiroshima made the appearance. The mascot character for the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics appeared as well.

Also, the 4 local groups of Chinese lion dance participated for the first time which the long Chinese dragon came to support them as well. One after another, the dancer who is controlling the lion gets shifted. There were times when the lion showed a drastic movement but suddenly, the dancer was switched from an adult to a small child. Then, the lion started to walk with unsteady steps which their performance brought an excitement.

Moreover, the members of the Hawaii United Okinawa Association made the appearance and performed eisa (Okinawan folk dance) in a large group. In addition, the Hawaii United Okinawa Association was established in 1951.We felt that their performance is keep getting power every year. Also Kapolei High School Marching Band seemed to be receiving a louder applause than the other groups, since they are the locals from Oahu.

Also, there were many hula halau from Japan this year. Hano Hano Hula from Oita is a group that is also involved in volunteering activities, which their members visited a nursing home in Kuakini while they stayed in Honolulu.

The local elders were impressed by the cheerful and vibrant dancing performances by Sonoda Gakuen High School and Tokyo Jitsugyo High School Phoenix Regiment. They were excited in which some of them went to give a hug to the dancers.

Even though the students are complete strangers that came from different countries, the elders can still be impressed by their effort as if the students are their grandchildren.

パレードの先頭を歩くムフィ・ハネマン市長

Mufi Hanneman, the Mayor of Honolulu takes the lead.

毎年日系ハワイアンの中から選ばれる第55回桜の女王

They are the winners of the 55th Cherry Blossom Festival which is an annual beauty pageant for young women of Japanese ancestry.

北京オリンピックのマスコット達 五福娃(フーワー)

The character mascot “Fuwa” for the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics.

ホノルル姉妹都市広島からの親善訪問団

The Honolulu Sister City Goodwill Delegation from Hiroshima.

カリフォルニアのトビー ジョーンズ高校 カラーガードとマーチングバンドが参加!

Toby Johnson Middle School Band’s color guard and marching band from California.

大人から子供へと入れ替わっていくのがユニークなライオンダンス。

The unique Chinese lion dance switches between an adult dancer to a child dancer.

オアフ島カポレイ高校のマーチングバンド 地元の人々の暖かい拍手に迎えられました

Kapolei High School Marching Band was welcomed by the locals with a warm applause.

大分からのハノハノフラの皆さん 素敵な笑顔をおありがとうございました!

They are the members of Hano Hano Hula from Oita. Thank you for the wonderful smiles.

東京実業高等学校Phoenix Regiment 全身使ったパワー全快のパフォーマンス

The cheerleading performance by Tokyo Jitsugyo High School Phoenix Regiment involves using the whole body in quick motions.

大阪からの泉州ソーリャ踊り子隊の皆さん 鳴子を元気にカチカチと鳴らしてのパレード

The members of Senryu Sorya Odorikai paraded the streets while playing the naruko instrument.

京都から立命館大学 dig up treasure ここでもクールなパフォーマンスを披露。

Ritsumeikan University dig up treasure from Osaka showed such a cool performance.

東京の日本3B体操協会の皆さん 大人数にも関わらず揃った動きに感動。

Japan 3B Gymnastics Association from Tokyo. The members were performing in a large group but they were also dancing in unison which was impressive.

沿道に集まる大勢の観客の皆さん そこには笑顔がたくさんありました。

The spectators along the roadside, where there were lots of smiles.

富山から参加の高岡龍谷高等高校 元気いっぱいの高校生たち

The students of Takaoka Ryukoku High School from Tomiyama were full of energy.

パナダマン・ダンス・グループによるフィリピンの本場伝統民族ダンス

CSU Pannadamman Dance Troupe performed the traditional folk dance of the Philippines.

福岡から善導寺太鼓の会 山響太鼓 力いっぱい若さがはじける太鼓演奏を披露

Zendoji Yamabiko Daiko from Fukuoka. The members showed such a powerful and youthful taiko drumming performance.

赤い半被と掛け声で会場をより明るく!三重の鳥羽市観光協会の皆さん

The members of the Toba-City Tourist Association brightened up the mood with their loud shouts in a red happi.

巨大な龍のバルーンがワイキキに出現。埼玉竜神まつり会の皆さん

A big float of Saitama Ryujin Matsuri Kai’s dragon appeared in Waikiki.

参加2年目の徳島県の殿様連の皆さん このリズムは万国共通で踊りたくなります。

The members of Tonosama Ren participated for the second time. Their rhythm of Awa-Odori is universal which makes you want to dance.

Finally, the mikoshi appeared on the scene with the loud shouts of “Wasshoi! Wasshoi!” and the parade reached its climax. Both the performers and the spectators were excited. They were enjoying the performance of the mikoshi even when it was near to collapse, which was carried along with the shouts.

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There were various mikoshi at the Grand Parade. Yumoto Suikyo Association from Kanagawa carried their “Inaho Adult Mikoshi” and the children carried their “Inaho Children Mikoshi”. The “Pineapple Mikoshi” was also present which has a shape of a Hawaiian pineapple. In addition, there was Hilton’s Sumotori Mikoshi owned by Hilton Hawaiian Village. Moreover, the Maui Mikoshi designed by the students of Kamehamehame Schools Maui which won the Honolulu Festival’s Maui Mikoshi Design Contest was also carried by them.

Last but not least, the Honolulu Daijayama appeared for the finale which was spitting fire. You can tell its powerful presence from a long distance away. Also, it moved forward in the darkness with a sound of bell which surprised the spectators that saw for the first time.

Those finished performers were relaxing at Kapiolani Park, where it is the ending point of the parade. Some got emotional by the fact that they were able to do their best and received cheered from the spectators, which there were performers that cried.

Also, it rained a little in the middle of the parade, but the weather quickly subsided. The Grand Paraded ended with a clear sky.

青森のお祭と言えば弘前のねぷた 南国ハワイで見られるなんて夢のよう

Hirosaki Neputa is a Japanese festival from Aomori, Japan. It’s like a dream to be able to watch it in the tropical island of Hawaii.

毎年恒例のユニークなパイナップル御輿 ヘタが落ちそうになるハプニングも。

The Pineapple Mikoshi appears every year. There was an incident where it almost collapsed.

神奈川の湯本粋興会が参加した大人御輿 掛け声が一際大きく響きます

The adults of Yumoto Sikyo Association carried the Inaho Adult Mikoshi which their loud shouts echoed vividly on the streets.

マウイ島からマウイ御輿を担ぐためにやって来たカメハメハ高校の皆さん

The students of Kamehameha Schools Maui came from Maui to carry their Maui Mikoshi.

ヒルトンの相撲御輿 大きな相撲力士と行事は見応えありです。

Hilton’s Sumotori Mikoshi with a huge sumo wrestler and referee is worth seeing.

御輿を担ぎ終わった後のさわやかな笑顔。満足感に満ちた気持ちが伝わってきます。

The performers gave their refreshing smiles after when they were done carrying the mikoshi. You can sense their satisfaction from them.

ボランティアの皆さんもホノルル大蛇山を引いて進行を手伝います。

The Honolulu Festival’s volunteers are also supporting to lead the Honolulu Daijayama.

火を吹き、生きているような大蛇山をあやつる姿に見入ってしまいます。

The Honolulu Daijayama looks like its alive with spitting fire which may intrigue you.

大蛇山の山車の上で高らかに鳴らされる半鐘の音

The loud sound of bell was ringing from the Honolulu Daijayama.