27th Hawaii Okinawan Festival

Date: Sept. 5, 2009 – Sept. 6, 2009

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Sponsored by the Hawaii United Okinawa Association
http://www.okinawanfestival.com/

See also: http://thehawaiiherald.com/2008/08/29/the-26th-annual-okinawan-festival-is-here/

The highlights (from the Honolulu Advertiser):

The parade begins at 9:30 a.m. today at Fort DeRussy, traveling along Kalakaua Avenue and ending at the park. Expect marching bands, dignitaries, visitors from Okinawa and clubs of the Hawaii United Okinawa Association, which sponsors the festival. Bring your camera, bottled water and lots of sunscreen.

Food, glorious food, is a big part of the festival. We're talking pig's feet soup, yaki soba, Okinawan soba, champuru (stir-fried veggies and deep-fried tofu) and shoyu pork plates, chili with hot dog or rice, Hawaiian plates, chicken plates, andagi and shave ice. Oh, and the okidog sounds irresistible; it's a hot dog and chili wrapped in a soft tortilla with shoyu pork and lettuce.

Entertainment is continuous, too. Cultural groups from Hawai'i and Okinawa will perform each day.

The cultural tent will include a display of Okinawan ceramics, lacquerware and textiles; genealogy information; a calligraphy display and demonstration; ikebana flower arrangements; and a bonsai and silent auction by the Hawaii Bonsai Association.

Festival hours are 9 a.m.- 9 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free, and you can park at Kapi'olani Community College and take shuttles to and from the festival. Bon Dance on Saturday night.

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