Submitted by: Jan Higashi, Japanese Community Association of Hawaii

The Hilo-based Japanese Community Association of Hawaii is presenting their 8^th biennial Kodomo No Matsuri on Saturday, May 14, 2016, from 10 a.m.-1p.m. at the Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin Sangha Hall.  Free admission and children from 2-102 are invited to attend.

It’s a day for children to learn about the Japanese culture with hands on activities, many of them will be “make and take” activities such as otedama, kazaguruma, kabuto hat and fish, origami, washi chigiri-e, paper lantern and bonsai.  Learn how to play the Japanese board game GO and more!  A special session on “Tea Ceremony for children will be offered by the Urasenke Hilo Shibu; also story tellers will share Japanese stories.  Japanese Children’s books will be on sale as well.

Special feature will be demonstrations by Crystal Watanabe, author of “Yum-Yum Bento Box.”  Program and entertainment include the announcement and introduction of the 2016 JCAH Scholarship recipients,  Hui Okinawa’s Tadashi, Subaru Telescope choir and Kamen Rider V3.

There is a small fee for somen nagashi and sakana sukui.  Snacks and andagi will be available at the Food concession.   “We are extremely pleased to highlight a lecture and short demo by Kenny Endo who is celebrating his 40 years of taiko.” said Paul Sakamoto, chairman.

And, in the evening a very special cultural performance by Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble at 6 pm at the Sangha Hall, where Endo and his seven artists will present their rhythmic and syncopating sounds which will surely mesmerize the audience!   Admission is $20 and tickets are being sold at the courtesy counters at KTA Super Stores – Puainako & Downtown Hilo.

Sponsors are Roy & Gladys Sonomura, KTA Super Stores, HST Enterprises, Inc., Roland and Jan Higashi, and Wesley R. Segawa & Associates.

The Japanese Community Association of Hawaii, a non-profit organization with a membership of 400 families whose mission is to perpetuate and promote the Japanese culture and to foster international relationships with cities in Japan.

For more information, call JCAH at 969-6437 or email: jcahawaii@yahoo.com