Spotlight

Newly crowned Cherry Blossom Festival queen Lauren Sugai drew the winning entries in the 36th “Guess the Cherry Blossom Festival Queen” contest. Sugai pulled Käne‘ohe resident Jemalee Wong’s ballot for the first prize of a $500 travel gift certificate from Regal Travel.

WHO/WHAT: A celebration of textiles and a fundraiser for TEMARI Hawaii. Artists and crafters clear out their workrooms and sell those precious items at “Bolts,” where the Japanese immigrant principle of mottainai, don’t waste,...

WHO/WHAT: Mitsufumi Ryu Taiko celebrates its 50th anniversary in Hawai‘i with an Okinawan taiko performance. Master instructor Terry Higa-Sensei has led Mitsufumi Taiko Kai of Hawaii since 1990. The performance also celebrates the auspicious...

WHO/WHAT: Pomona College history professor and Kailua native Dr. Samuel Yamashita talks about the marriage of French and Japanese cuisine. The movement began in the 1970s when Japanese chefs began training with nouvelle cuisine...

The East Hawaii Hiroshima Kenjin Kai is currently accepting applications for up to two $1,000 scholarships for graduating seniors who plan to begin their post high school education this fall. The application deadline is Saturday, April 6 (applications must be postmarked by April 6).

The MIS Veterans Club held its annual New Year’s gathering and installation at Natsunoya Tea House on Jan. 27. The organization is made up of World War II veterans who served in the Military Intelligence Service in combat and intelligence roles in the Asia-Pacific theater and their descendants. The MIS soldiers contributed much to the....

Members and guests of the Japanese Women’s Society Foundation gathered at Natsunoya Tea House on Feb. 3 for the organization’s shinnen enkai (New Year’s party) luncheon. The day included traditional Japanese New Year’s foods, entertainment and fellowship. The bake sale table was covered with cookies, cupcakes, party mixes and other sweet treats, all available for....

WHO/WHAT: Carnegie Hall . . . Here they come! Afuso Ryu Gensei Kai Hawaii will present a preview performance of the Okinawan koten (classical) and minyo (folk) music and dance numbers they will perform...

WHO/WHAT: Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin presents its annual “Taste of Hongwanji” and Spring Bazaar featuring foods such as beef stew, fried noodles, sushi rolls, KC Waffle Dogs, shave ice and baked goods. Other highlights:...

WHO/WHAT: The made-in-Hawai‘i indie film, which debuted at the 2018 Hawaii International Film Festival, tells the story of musician/actor Alex Zhang Hungtai’s search for his grandparent’s home on the Big Island and the unlikely...