Through Nov. 22: “Shichigosan Children’s Festival.” Hawaii Kotohira Jinsha – Hawaii Daizafu Tenmangu celebrates Shichigosan, a custom that originated in the Heian Period (794-1185) among court nobles who celebrated the passage of their children into middle childhood. The ages 3, 5 and 7 are consistent with Japanese numerology, which dictates that odd numbers are lucky — ages 3 and 7 for girls and age 5 for boys.
The festival takes place at the shrine (1239 Olomea St.) from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. A donation of $60 includes Shinto blessing, Chitose-ame candy, omamori and a gift. Complimentary kimono rental and dressing is offered on the weekends upon request.
Reservations are required. Visit www.e-shrine.org for details and reservation forms, call (808) 841-4755 or email kotohira@hawaiiantel.net.
Over time, this tradition passed to the samurai class who added a number of rituals. Children who were required by custom to have shaven heads until 3 years old — were allowed to grow out their hair in a ritual called kamitaki.
The hakamagi ritual allowed boys of 5 to wear hakama for the first time along with a dagger, while girls of 7 replaced the simple cords they used to tie their kimono with the traditional obi in the obitoki ritual.
Nov. 7-8: “Friends of the Library of Hawai‘i Holiday Book Sale.” Over 30 categories of gently used books to choose from, including beautiful art books, a large selection of fiction and non-fiction authors, children’s books, cookbooks, puzzles, a hobby and how-to section. Also, foreign language books including Korean, Japanese and Chinese.
Some media will also be available as a preview for the January Book & Music Sale. Proceeds benefit programs at the 50 public libraries throughout Hawai‘i.
Sale hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Washington Middle School (1633 S. King St.).
For more information, visit www.friendsofthelibraryof
hawaii.org.
Nov. 8: “Dignity, Joy and Compassion in Giving Care” — a talk by poet, author, former caregiver and Hawai‘i Herald columnist Frances H. Kakugawa. Co-sponsored by Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin and Project Dana.
Registration/refreshments: 11 a.m. in the Hawaii Betsuin Social Hall; 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: talk by Frances Kakugawa in the Hawaii Betsuin Annex Temple, 1727 Pali Hwy. Free admission.
For more information, call the Hawaii Betsuin office at (808) 536-7044, or Project Dana at (808) 945-3736.
Nov. 8: 8th Annual Holiday Craft Fair. Temple Emanu-El presents this unique craft fair where Judaica, Thanksgiving and Christmas items are sold together in a single event. Approximately 25 local vendors will offer a wide array of handcrafted gifts, homemade foods and cultural treats for all ages, including crispy fresh potato latkes. The event is a fundraiser for the School of Jewish Studies for children. The school’s students will present a short program from 11:30 a.m.-noon.
Sale hours: 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at Temple Emanu-El, 2550 Pali Hwy. Free admission and parking.
For more information, email hitemplesisterhood@gmail.com or visit www.shaloha.com.
Nov. 13: “Eden at Home: Compassionate Caring for Elders Who Live at Home.” This workshop focuses on the changing perceptions of elders at home and in the community by applying Eden at Home™ concepts and The Ten Principles of The Eden Alternative®. The workshop is aimed at broadening awareness and providing practical strategies for improving the quality of life for elders and their care partners by eliminating the three plagues of loneliness, helplessness and boredom. In a follow-up workshop on Dec. 11, participants will share stories on how the concepts helped in caregiving. The stories will be compiled into a booklet.
Workshop hours: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Pearl City Hongwanji Mission, 858 2nd St. Workshop fee by Nov. 9: $10 includes light lunch and manual, payable to Project Dana (902 University Ave., note date/place of training).
For more information, call Project Dana at (808) 945-3736 or email projdana@hawaiiantel.net.
Nov. 20: “Constructing ‘Japanese Identity’ Among Okinawan Students: A Preliminary Study.” The Center for Okinawan Studies, University of Hawai‘i at Mänoa, presents a lecture by Kazufumi Taira, a Ph.D. candidate in education psychology and certificate program in cultural studies. Taira will examine how Nihonjinron discourse (i.e., discussions and theories about “Japanese-ness”) may be embedded in textbook course materials. Using a multi-method study strategy, Taira reviewed textbooks and interviewed educators in Okinawa. The study discusses how access to Okinawan perspectives may be limited or suppressed.
Lecture: 3-4:30 p.m. in the Tokioka Room, Moore Hall 319. Free and open to the public.
For more information, call the COS at (808) 956-5754 or email cos@hawaii.edu.
Nov. 20: “Holiday Trees and Treasures.” Kuakini Foundation’s major fundraiser, featuring dinner, silent auction, entertainment by 2011 Nä Hökü Hanahano Award Male Vocalist of the Year and Most Promising Artist Mark Yamanaka, and more. Silent auction will feature handcrafted trees, wreaths and centerpieces. Also up for bid are restaurant gift certificates, hotel accommodations, signature clothing and accessories and more. Local company Taptioneer will provide iPods for guests to place their bids, making each bid instantaneous.
Tickets: $200 per person. Tables of 10 are also available at different tier levels. Proceeds help support the purchase of new high-tech equipment and fund capital improvement projects.
Event begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Coral Ballroom, Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort and Spa.
For tickets or more information, call (808) 547-9296 or email kuakinifoundation@kuakini.org.
