Maui Onion Festival 2010

Known to be the sweetest onions around, Maui Kula Onions have put this Hawaiian island on the map. Afterall, Maui Onion potato chips are sold everywhere from your local Subway sandwhich chain, Trader Joes to major supermarkets.

Dedicated to the cultivation and promotion of the world-famous Maui Kula Onion and the festival claims to be attended by thousands of visitors each year. It started in 1990 and is celebrating its 21st anniversary this year.

*games, prizes, food & beer, hula and jazz entertainment, cooking demos, and more*

Here's what last year's chef contest winner cooked up:
Pan Seared Island Snapper served with Reduced Maui Onion Jus, Soft Polenta and Pickled Maui Onions (yum)

Where it's at: Whalers Village

For more information
call: Whalers Village 808.661.4567
email: info@whalersvillage.com

Okinawan Festival

{aren't these girls just great?!}

The Okinawan Festival is going on this weekend (Sept 5-6) at Kapiolani Park. I recommend taking the shuttle for $1. The Okinawan Soba & Andagi (Okinawan donut) were really good...and the obon dance in the middle of the big park was a sight to see. Other entertainment include an Andagi eating contest, taiko and live Hawaiian music.

More info:
www.okinawanfestival.com

Asian American Film Festival - Austin & Philadelphia

It's so nice to see that there's a growing awareness of an Asian American politic and presence in cities that are often overlooked as traditional Asian American communities.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
October 10, 2008
http://phillyasian.bside.com/2008/schedule

Austin, Texas
October 11, 2008
http://www.aaaff.org/

Greek Festival

Dan, Ed and I ventured to the Greek Festival a couple weekends ago. Food booths, Greek merchandise, and live music & dance entertainment were some of the highlights of the event. It was larger than I expected, well attended, and I enjoyed eating my gyros on the steps of the pond with contemporary Greek jazz playing in the background on a sunny weekend at Ala Moana Park.

Dragon Boat Race

What I like about this day is that the ocean was so calm I felt like I was at Lani Kai beach, rather than Ala Moana Beach Park.

Kimono Festival

Sharon, Naoko and I attended the Kimono Fashion Show at the Japanese Cultural Center in Honolulu. 86 people from Japan flew out just to participate in this cultural exchange. The room was packed with around 200 attendees (more than was expected), and never before seen dressings of the imperial kimonos were shown as well as obi-tying choreographed to music, and contemporary obi's (tied in a hibiscus for example).

After the show, the 3 of us feasted at the Big Greek Cafe. Took 50 minutes and three attempts to find parking. The outdoor setting was quaint and I almost forgot I was in Kaimuki. The food was good too(until the mouse and cockroaches came out).



This was my first time using my Canon 50mm 1.8 lens. Only turned on the Canon EX580 flash at the last 5 minutes.

Obon Festival - Mililani

I had been wanting to go to Mililani for a long time, curious to see with my own eyes, the new suburban community that I hear so much about. In my mind I imagine that it looks like Irvine, but even after going there I'm not so sure...we got to the Obon festival when it was dark at night.

This Obon had the largest crowd I've ever seen out of all the festivals I've been to (Japan excluded). Five rings of dancing circles moved in unison filled with kids, teens, seniors and even the mayor. What surprised me most was to see the masses of teens eagerly run to join in the dance once the live music played. (An Obon with live music and taiko drummers? Right on!) In Los Angeles I don't think teens think it's hip and cool display this much Obon-eagerness, but it was sure refreshing to see the youth reclaim their cultural heritage in Hawaii.

Carnival - Night Photography

Andrew and I went to the Honolulu Family Festival at Magic Island to practice digital photography at night. It was a frustrating experience trying to take a) night time shots b) with motion and c) with lights while learning how to d) use manual mode for the first time e) accounting for both shutter speed, lighting and apeture.

These are taken with my Canon 17-85mm lens and a compact tri-pod (too light with stand the weight of the camera/lens). Forgot the shutter release at home.

This Weekend – 7th Annual Korean Festival

Enjoy a day of Korean food, dance, music and cultural entertainment.

What: 7^th Annual Korean Festival
When: Saturday, July 12^th, 10am to 9pm
Where: Kapiolani Park

(Free parking and shuttle from Kapiolani Community College).

For more information:
www. Koreanfestivalhawaii.com
Event Hotline: 808.792.9321