Every year around the end of summer, Hawaii holds its annual Hawaii Okinawan Festival at Kapiolani Park.
For those that are not familiar with Hawaii, in particular the island of Oahu, it is held in the park right at the edge of Waikiki, near historic Diamond Head.
You are greeted left and right with banners with the words Mensore! (Welcome!).Thousands of people, Japanese, Okinawan, and every other culture, flock to Kapiolani Park. On the Sunday that I went, I encountered Germans and what seemed like Iranian women from the looks of their clothing.
There are booths filled with authentic Japanese and Okinawan food(obaasan or grandmother's recipes passed down to younger generations) such as andagi or okinawan doughnuts, yakisoba or fried noodles and champuru or stir fried bittermelon with meat and tofu. Most people come for the andagi and the long lines are testament to it. Having an andagi that was made at any of the bon dances or the Okinawan Festival is like gold. It can be replicated, but the crunchy, slightly sweet, light texture of these fried golden pieces of heaven are unmatched. All other andagi taste and feel like doughy lead after you eat one from here.
Other than food...you can tell what I like...There are tents filled with cultural wares, health products and plants. Along with handcrafted items.
Japanese and Okinawan music wafted through the air as performers played their koto (lap stringed instrument) and shakuhachi (Japanese flute) and sing onstage at the band stand. We were treated to a lively taiko performance, which my family loved. There are even game booths for the kids! Our family scrambled to put a decent mini golf game together before heading to spin the wheel for a prize at another booth.
It is a very big deal in Hawaii, especially since this festival signifies that the bon dance season is almost at an end.
Highly recommended for anyone traveling to Hawaii at the end of summer!
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