Four Magnificent Performance Stages at the 14th Annual Honolulu Festival
With four performance stages all in the vicinity of Waikiki, performers were able to rotate among the four stages and share their acts with many spectators. So many types of performances could be seen. There were the powerful ones, the ones that had a very calming effect and the ones where the audience could participate. Here are some of the highlights in case you overlooked some of them. Can’t wait to see next year’s performances at these various stages!
Hawaii Convention Center (HCC)
The largest performance stage is the one at the Hawaii Convention Center. Comfortable chairs and air conditioned, it’s perfect for those who want to relax and enjoy a wonderful afternoon.
The first performance on March 15th, Saturday, was the ever popular group from Japan that has participated in all fourteen festivals, Suga –Ren. The audience looked forward to their return. This group is full of energy and power and somehow they are able to transmit this energy to the audience. Simply terrific!
Mr. and Mrs. Halvorsen of Canada enjoyed watching the traditional dance group Kusadiodori Hozon-kai from Oita and Gakugeisha, the group whose goal is to “step out of the box of "defined" Japanese and Western music, to enjoy and spread the joy of the arts.” The couple visited Japan three times in the past and were recalling wonderful memories of their times there.
Then there was Eri Mauro who has lived in Hawaii for about a year now. She was enjoying her second Honolulu Festival, this time with her mother who was visiting from Japan. Eri was happy to be able to see so many festival performances from various parts of Japan, something that was impossible to do when she was living there. She was surprised to see how big the festival had grown in only one year.
There were a total of 24 performances spread throughout Saturday and Sunday at the Hawaii Convention Center. The final performance on Sunday was Halko Momoi, the Japanese anime voice actress, who danced and sang her heart out for her fans. What a way to end the two days of entertainment!
Suga-Ren, the popular group
from
Kochi who has performed
in all
14 festivals
|
Our own Manoa DNA and
their hula dancer |
Hula hui O Nani Moe from
Saitama, a big mahalo for
a lovely hula |
Potomac Falls High School
Band from Virginia |
Mr. and Mrs. Halvorsen
from Canada |
Halko Momoi and the fans that
came along with her from
Japan on stage |
Ala Moana Center
Ala Moana Center, one of Hawaii’s most popular shopping center, has an area called Center Stage where the performers of the 14th Annual Honolulu Festival were able to share their music and dances on March 15th and March 16th. What is so neat about this area is that the audience can get very close to the stage. And depending on the size of the dancing groups, some of the performers danced below the stage and got even closer to the spectators.
The taiko group called Jojima Ryujindaiko from Fukuoka, first timers at the Honolulu Festival, were surprised to be able to draw a huge crowd once they started beating their drums. The sound could be heard all over the shopping center. There is something magical about the sound of wadaiko. It penetrates to the core of your body and gives you energy. Such a wonderful way of experiencing a different culture from far across the Pacific Ocean. This wadaiko group, not having too many opportunties to perform on stage in Japan, were overwhelmed by the audience’s cheers and excitement.
Then there was the first ever Double Dutch performance at the Honolulu Festival by the Ritsumeikan University dig up treasure from Kyoto. Their goal is “to spread Double Dutch even overseas.” The fans roared each time the performers succeeded in dancing amazingly through the two jump ropes without skipping a beat to their funky music. One of the performers, Tomoko, gushed, “Wow, we’re doing better today. This is great! All I can say is that I’m happy!” Kanily, visiting from Arizona during her spring break was so impressed and said, “I have never seen such a performance. Their energy is so high and their formations are so neat. Hope to see them again!”
The Honolulu Festival performances at Center Stage not only represented Japan but other international countries. The Korean dance group Chum Sa Rang performing in their soft and flowing costumes showed their elegance and beauty. Then came the powerful Korean drums. Quite a contrast.
Other performances included hula, aerobics and a marching band. Such variety from all over the Pacific Rim.
The crowd quickly gathered
upon hearing the drums of
JojimaRyujindaiko from
Fukuoka.
|
The amazing Double Dutch
performance of Kyoto’s
Ritsumeikan University
dig up treasure |
The performers dancing
energetically right in front
of the spectators, so close that
you can hear them breathing
|
A traditional Korean dance,
their costumes and music
are so unique。 |
Performers getting the audience
to participate with them |
Osaka’s Hula Halau Luana &
Ikala in their red and white
muumuu, colorful costumes
stood out on the stage |
Waikiki Beach Walk
The Waikiki Beach Walk stage is located in the heart of Waikiki right next to the Royal Hawaiian Center. Blue skies and tropical breezes make this stage area a wonderful place to relax and enjoy that resort feeling that our visitors come to Hawaii for.
The folks at Waikiki Beach Walk have come not only to watch the performances but also to enjoy the shopping and restaurants nearby. There are also families on their return from the beach, only a few minutes away.
This was the second year that the performances were held at Waikiki Beach Walk.
There were more performances and more variety this year. They included hula from Japan, creative dances, Taishogoto and performances from the Philippines and Australia.
There were 18 members in the taishogoto group Kinmeiryu FMC Toyama and for many it was their first time to Hawaii. Although they didn’t have much time to practice because they decided to participate in the Honolulu Festival only three months ago they felt that they performed quite well and were all smiles upon completing their performance…smiles of accomplishment and relief!
The Descendance from Australia attracted a large audience at Waikiki Beach Walk. They are a true veteran group having had experience performing at the Sydney Olympics a few years ago. Their unique costume and face and body paint is just as interesting as their dance that tells stories about their aboriginal ancestors. They encouraged participation from the audience as well.
The audience join in to perform
the aboriginal dance with
the Descendance
|
The fun dance of Baikoryu
Edogei Kappore in their
colorful costumes |
A Tonosama Ren awaodori
dancer poses for a picture with
a spectator. An example of
friendship and goodwill. |
Hawaii’s Mahealani Uchiyama
performs |
Kanagawa’s Kaiulani Hula
Community performs in their
elegant costumes |
CSU Pannadamman Dance
Troupe from the Philippines
share their heritage |
Waikiki Shopping Plaza
Our newest stage was set up at the Waikiki Shopping Center, right in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Waikiki. Although the smallest of the four stages, the performances were enjoyed by a large crowd all seated real close to the stage and dancers.
The wadaiko group from Fukuoka, Zendoji Yamabiko Taiko, consisted of members all in their teens. They were full of energy, happy to be participating in the Honolulu Festival while their schoolmates were still in classes back home. All of their songs were composed by the group. They put a lot of energy into each performance and you could tell that they were having a great time. They were able to connect with the audience and share their power with them. The taiko performers were able to coax some of the local children to participate with them. It was fun watching them pose for pictures together after the show. The audience and the performers became one group, a group portraying friendship and Pacific Harmony.
The youthful and popular
Zendoji Yamabiko Taiko group
from Fukuoka
|
A spectator joyfully
experiencing the taiko |
The power displayed by
Samurai SPIRITS Furinkazan
Karate-do’s performance |
Oita’s Kusadiodori Hozon-kai
take up the whole stage and
more to perform |
The performance of
Tsugarushamisen
“SHIHOUKAI” Kokusai Kouryu |
The dancers of Kyoto’s Poniohe
Kaya Hula Studio share their
aloha spirit |
【14th Honolulu Festival Highlight article 】
Manoa DNA page
Sugaren page
Tonosama page
Descendance page
