The Rev. Akihiro Okada of the Daijingu Temple in Nuuanu performed a Shintö blessing of Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i leaders and others in the martial arts dojo at the start of the Jan. 12 festival. The blessing also included the partaking of sake by JCCH president/executive director Jacce Mikulanec and board chair Ken Hayashida; Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell; Mrs. Misako Ito, representing her husband Consul General of Japan in Honolulu Koichi Ito; and Kevin Asano, one of four Japanese American Olympians from Hawai‘i. Asano captured a gold medal in the 1988 Olympic Games in judo.The week of rain leading up to the Jan. 12 festival — and the threat of even more rain over the weekend — forced JCCH officials to move all of the ‘Ohana Festival activities to its facilities only. However, the inclement weather did not prevent volunteers like Glenn Endo and Audrey Asahina from the Yamanashi Kyoyu Kai from carefully grilling onolicious yaki mochi for sale at the festival. (Photos by Wayne Shinbara)
Honolulu Hiroshima Kenjin Kai member Megumi Honami (in red) cooks the noodles for the kenjin kai’s popular Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki while Hiroko Arine looks on. The HHKK sold 644 okonomiyaki, which is always an ‘Ohana Festival favorite.Lilia Yamamoto (left) and Ella Garst, both 4 years old, show off their make-and-take flower arrangement.Ryugen Taiko members put all their energy into their performance.
