festival – Alan Tamayose

Attended the 31st Annual Okinawan Festival this morning at Kapiolani Park. Had a great time! This year’s theme is entitled “Sharing Uchinanchu Aloha.” It was about a one-hour walk from my condo. It was drizzly and hot at the same time.

There was entertainment at the Bandstand. There were dignitaries, dancers, and taiko drummers. The place was packed!

Here are some of the young performers rehearsing backstage.

Of course, I went for the food. There were food booths, craft tents, and games for the keiki. I had the ashitibichi or pig’s feet soup. It was so incredibly ono! It made my mouth pucker up because of the collagen.

The weather cleared up, and it was a beautiful day. I also met up with friends and former students there.

Nothing like shave ice on a hot Hawaiian day. Not quite “Matsumoto’s,” but it definitely hit the spot.

One of the most popular attractions at the festival has to be the andagi.

It was hot, fresh, crunchy, and awesome. Had to “refuel” for the long walk back home.

Had a fantastic morning. So great to reconnect with my Okinawan heritage….

Attended the Ukulele Festival this morning at the Kapiolani Park Bandstand in Waikiki. Had a great time!

I actually took the city bus (with a few crazy people and a bunch of normal people.) This was my 2nd time catching the Bus in 25 years.

I got off near “Walls” at Waikiki Beach. The weather was spectacular.

There was a beach volleyball tournament going on.

The bandstand is a really nice venue. There’s a small pond off to the side. Entertainment was ongoing. There were local artists, as well as international artists. There were ukulele schools from all over. And fortunately, the sound system was really good.

There were thousands in attendance. It was crowded! Behind the seating area were tents with families picnicking and enjoying the day. The coolest part was seeing so many people in the audience with their own ukes. They also made a killing selling those blue festival t-shirts.

There were food tents, shaved ice, malasadas, and ukulele manufacturers. Here are a few beauties from the Kamaka factory. There was even a tent giving free ukulele lessons to tourists. Too cool….

This was especially a great event for the hundreds of ukulele students who got to perform before family and friends.

So…. my plan was to get in some exercise today, so I walked the 3-miles home. I walked along Kalakaua Avenue.

I passed by the world famous Waikiki Beach on the left and the International Marketplace on my right. I crossed over the Ala Wai Canal and turned up Kapiolani Boulevard by the Convention Center. From there, I passed by the Ala Moana Shopping Center to get home. Man, it was hot today.

Feel like practicing my uke now. Had a blast at !