This past weekend was the Honolulu Festival, an international scale "Omatsuri" Japan style complete with Mikoshi and Nebuta! The finale is the 2 hour parade with over 40 groups and fireworls from Nagaoka. Enjoy the pictures. (^^)
No parade in Hawaii is complete without the Chinese dragon dance!
Our south Pacific island friends in action!
This was the biggest group from a high school in Japan! The line was loooong!
Then fun part of the parade is that all sorts of groups get to do their thing!
A new style of Tahitian dance??
A jump rope group from Ritsumeikan University.
Go to have your beauty queens. (^^) These two are form Hiroshima.
Local Princesses. I think Cherry Blossom Pageant
Quite a few groups form the Chinese community.
Nice with the yukata. Also had good rhythm (^^)
The dragon had a tummy ache after eating the traffic light!
Not sure what this group was, but they sure moved a lot!
Nebuta lanterns
Fire works out at the beach.
My favorite shot (^^)
The technicians came all the way from Nagaoka, Japan.
Here are some video clips form the Enbukai. The theme for the Enbukai was "人に勝つより自分に勝て” It was a learning experience for all. (^^) I look forward to the next Enbukai in fall.
Got carried away and even made a trailer! Movie making is rapidly becoming a hobby along with photography. (^^)
The Mini Pokemons (under 5 yrs old) were at their usual best form! (^^)
The White Belts put out a good effort. Their individualities showed in their Katas.
The Colored Belts showed a different attitude from regular practice but they all learned that how they practice regularly is how they preform.
The Kids showed a higher level of concentration. Having families watching them must have put on the pressure not to mention three judges with flags! (^^)
The daddies and mommies put on a good performance as well!
I know the Pokemons loved seeing me getting "beat up"!
The difference in Koyukushin Mawashi Uke and ou Dojo's.
Seipai by me and AAU Nationals Gold Medalists Tamura Sensei. Same Kata but difference is obvious.
Yes, yes, I know my Shikodachi is higher than normal, but my hip joint injury limits it. Always adapt and improvise to conditions. (^^)
We had our very first Enbukai yesterday. A big Mahalo to all the students, parents and friends who made it a successful one. As for myself many lessons were learned in the administrative and logistical end of the end of the event. I hope to use this experience in making the next one even better! Some photos from the Enbukai. (^^)
Setting up the Enbu area
Getting the kids organized. (^^)
Competitors warming up!
The Mini Pokemon Division
Always shake hands after the battle.
Kohei could of won solely on his smile !
Youth White Belt Division
Youth Colored Belt Division
Colored Belts competed irrespective of age.
No enbukai is complete without the Senseis performing! No rehearsals is our policy.
Yesterday, I felt like reenergizing my soul and spirit so I took off to Manoa Valley (^^). As always the hike did a lot of good for my physical and mental well being. Nothing beats doing Sanchin and Tensho surrounded by lush greenery, the melody of softly running water and the chirping of the birds. The great part is that the valley is only a 10 minute bus ride away! AND VERY LITTLE TOURISTS!
Thought I'd share some photos from the hike. Enjoy!
