2019 MAUI MATSURI TH E JA PA N E S E CU LTU R A L S O C I E T Y O F M AU I P R E S ENT S:
2019
19 T H ANNUAL JAPANESE FESTIVAL
M AY 24 & 25 I N T E R N AT I O N A L C U LT U R E N I G H T
Friday, M ay 24 • 6pm ‒ 9 PM
UH-Maui Pilina Building (Student Lounge) Free multi-cultural entertainment, fashion show, & comedian Frank Delima (PRESENTED BY ALEXANDER & BALDWIN)
FESTIVAL
S aturday, M ay 25 • 2pm ‒ 9pm
ach year, the Maui Matsuri planning committee selects a Japanese kanji character to embody its events’ activities. This year, the kanji selected is “saku,” which means “to bloom” or “to blossom.” The theme is reflected in this year’s commemorative tshirt designed by Maui-born artist Jonathan Clark. Designed to have a handmade quality, Clark started the process of creating the print by carving a woodblock with images of sakura (cherry) blossoms. He then scanned and altered the image digitally to reference the unfolding of sakura as it blooms while retaining the creased look of folded origami paper. Clark’s design and this year’s kanji theme perfectly embody the blossoming of Japanese culture on island — initiated by the seeds planted by the brave immigrants who made Maui their home and nurtured by their children and surrounding
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communities. According to Brian Nagami, Co-Chairperson of the 2019 Maui Matsuri, “The event’s perpetual theme is ‘Kodomo No Tame Ni’ which translates to ‘For the Sake of the Children.’ It really describes what this event is about — creating an environment for families to share and learn about the Japanese culture and pass down traditions. In this spirit, the festival culminates with a traditional obon dance that encourages all ages, all religious denominations, and all ethnicities to come together to dance in honor of all ancestors.” Join Maui Matsuri in celebrating all that has helped Japanese culture bloom on Maui!
dance and music from across Maui’s diverse community. The evening is headlined by one of Hawaii’s most popular and beloved comedians — Frank De Lima — known throughout the islands for providing decades of laughs and working with students across the state. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Free admission. Bentos will be available for purchase.
SATURDAY ✦ MAY 25
Maui Matsuri Festival Day at UH Maui College offers a full day of fun from 2 to 9 p.m., concluding with a community Obon dance beginning at 7:30 p.m. Entertainers, food booths/trucks, kids’ crafts, martial arts demos, eating contests, cultural exhibits, a FRIDAY ✦ MAY 24 cosplay exhibition, video game tournament and much Maui Matsuri Interna- more await on the final day tional Culture Night takes of Maui Matsuri. Free adplace from 6 to 9 p.m. in the mission. Pilina Student Lounge at For more information, UH Maui College as emcee visit www.mauimatsuri Dean Wong brings together .com.
UH-Maui College Great Lawn FEATURING: Free Children s Crafts Food Booths (PRESENTED BY TJ’S WAREHOUSE OUTLET)
Entertainment Stage (PRESENTED BY HALE MAHAOLU)
PLUS: Craft Booths, Exhibits, Cosplay Exhibition, Bon Dancing, Martial Arts Demos, Saimin & Natto Eating Contests, Art Drawing Contests FREE ADMISSION PA R K I N G $ 5 P E R V E H I C L E , M AY 2 5 T H
CALL: 808.213.0711 VISIT: www.mauimatsuri.com SHARE YOUR STORY: #mauimatsuri
LEON MATSUI photo
La Galerians sharing their Filipino heritage at the 2018 Maui Matsuri
A Supplement of THE MAUI NEWS – Tuesday, May 21, 2019 – Page T1