Celebrate 2019 and the Year of the Boar with traditional mochi pounding, kimono dressing, martial arts demonstrations and more at the New Year’s ‘Ohana Festival, Jan. 13 at Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i and Mo‘ili‘ili Field.
The festival’s honorary chairs and 2018 Little League World Series Champions, the Honolulu Little League team, will help kick off the event.
“The New Year’s ‘Ohana Festival is a festival for all ages and generations,” said center president and executive director Carole Hayashino.
Families can enjoy traditional and local food and cultural entertainment, and also receive their New Year’s blessing from one of the local temples or learn about the history of Japanese people in Hawaii through a scavenger hunt in the center’s historical exhibition, Hayashino said.
The celebration will feature more than a dozen food vendors, dozens of craft vendors, cultural music and dance performances, hands-on arts and crafts activities and keiki games.
“There’s no better way to start the new year,” Hayashino said.
26TH ANNUAL NEW YEAR’S ‘OHANA FESTIVAL
>> Where: Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i and Mo‘ili‘ili Field, 2454 S. Beretania St.
>> When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 13
>> Cost: Free admission into the festival; there are fees for food and certain activities; free parking will be available at the University of Hawaii parking structure with complimentary shuttle service to and from the festival
>> Info: 945-7633, jcch.com
