Okinawa

The Okinawan Songbird’s Performance Set for Sunday, Sept. 3 Jodie Chiemi Ching Special to The Hawai‘i Herald The Japanese characters for Rimi Natsukawa’s family name mean “summer river.” How else could you describe the pure and magical flow of Natsukawa’s voice? The songbird whose recording of “Nada Sousou,” the signature tune from the heartbreaking 2006....

Saturday's Program | Sunday's Program Cultural Tent | Festival Favorites 9 a.m. RYUKYU SOKYOKU KOYO KAI HAWAII SHIBU (Jane Kaneshiro and Bonnie Miyashiro, Co-chairs) Featured Okinawan koto schools: • Jane Kaneshiro Sozan Kai • Bonnie Miyashiro Soho Kai • Toma Toyoko Sokyoku...

The 85th anniversary of Kin Ryosho Sensei’s teaching of the art of Kumiwudui, also known as Kumi Odori, in Hawai‘i — and the 41st anniversary of his teaching dance and Kumiwudui at the University of Hawai‘i will be commemorated with the presentation of a lecture demonstration by two of Kin-Sensei’s former students. The program is....

By Gwen Battad Ishikawa Chef Grant Sato’s passion for Okinawan cuisine is evident in the way he talks about it, cooks it and presents it. His reverence and respect for Okinawan cuisine is reflected in...

WHO/WHAT: Hawaii Kotohira Jinsha welcomes the “Year of the Dog” with traditional New Year’s blessings beginning at midnight, Jan. 1, 2018. As far of the festivities, you can get your head bitten by a...

The Okinawan Festival’s Cultural Tent is a great place to spend several hours of your time at the festival expanding your knowledge of Okinawan culture. The Cultural Tent, which is organized annually by the Hui O Laulima women’s group, will feature an even wider selection of displays and activities this year — and more tent....

Okinawan Culture Reflected in Its Food Lynette Lo Tom Special to The Hawai‘i Herald “If you aren’t going to enjoy the fat, then don’t eat rafute,” Grant Murata declares passionately. Rafute is the unctuous braised pork belly that is a signature dish of Okinawa. Not to be confused with the more common and usually leaner....

MY HAWAII BY Colin Sewake DAYTIME SAKURA VIEWING ON MT. YAEDAKE Location: Motobu-cho, Feb. 7, 2018 When I think of symbols that represent Japan, three images come to mind: Mt. Fuji and Hello Kitty and sakura cherry blossoms. Fortunately for me, I’m able to enjoy these beautiful flowers in bloom every winter season, even while....

The year 2020 will mark the 120th anniversary of the arrival of the first Okinawans in Hawai‘i. A project to commemorate that milestone is currently in the works, with the final product being a multimedia collection of original works about Okinawan heritage in Hawai‘i. The theme is “Our Okinawan Heritage in Hawai‘i.” Submissions are being....

There’ll be no shortage of delicious food at the Okinawan Festival, including many dishes that are served in Okinawan home kitchens. Spend a day — or both days — at the Festival and make sure you try everything, all of it prepared and served by HUOA volunteers. Andagi: Okinawan deep fried doughnut — a local....