The Hawaii United Okinawa Association will present “Karii: An Awamori Experience” on the Friday, Aug. 30, from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Hawai‘i Convention Center Ballroom on the fourth floor. The event will kick off a busy weekend for the Uchinanchu community with the 37th Okinawan Festival set to open the next morning.
“Karii” is the Uchinaaguchi term used to offer a toast to happiness and good fortune. The event is a fundraiser for the nonprofit HUOA. Proceeds will benefit HUOA’s education, cultural and community service projects. “Karii” will also feature a silent auction and customized cocktails.
The event will feature Okinawan-themed dishes prepared by 12 noted chefs from O‘ahu restaurants paired with specially selected wines and awamori (Okinawan distilled spirits) samplings. Participating restaurants include 53 By the Sea, Chef Chai, Creations in Catering, Feast (Jon Matsubara), Halekulani, Mariposa, Mud Hen Water, MW Restaurant, The Pig and the Lady, Roy’s, Tango Contemporary Cafe and Viaggio.
The featured awamori will include Aloha Awamori, Hanashimauta Awamori, Kuba Awamori, Kura Awamori, Mizuho Awamori, Ryukyu Bijin Awamori, Shaka Awamori and Shimauta Awamori.
Individual tickets are $125 per person and can be purchased online at hnltix.com. Corporate sponsorships, including Platinum Tables at $5,000 and Gold Tables at $2,500, with attractive perks for each level, are available for the event. To purchase a corporate table sponsorship, email Randy@ShakaSpirits.com by Friday, Aug. 9.
