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Okinawan Festival is just around the corner!
I hope all of you are enjoying your summer vacation and as July comes to a close, coming up in August will be the Okinawan Festival at Kapiolani Park (Honolulu, Hawaii)! This year is the 26th for the festival and it’ll take place on the weekend of 8/30 to 8/31. More information on the festival…
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Weekly Eater features Off the Wall, a new restaurant in Pearl Kai
Being the izakaya kind of dude that I am, I’m happy to read news of a new restaurant called ‘Off the Wall’ that opened in the Pearl Kai Shopping Center. The restaurant’s executive chef happens to also be one of the most well-known musicians of Okinawan music in Hawaii (and around the globe), Grant “Sandaa”…
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Introducing dancingfools.org
Well, the domain name pretty much sums up what this beautifully-created website (maintained by Donna from champuru.net) is about but here’s the lowdown from the site’s “About” page: The Dancing Fools bon dance posse is a group of friends united by a love for the fellowship, food, and fun that bon dance season brings each…
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Update on BEGIN
I received information from CDJapan on an upcoming — yet-to-be-named — single by BEGIN and noticed that quite some time has passed since I last posted an entry on our favorite O-pop band. The new single is set to be released on June 25 and will be the band’s first new release of 2008. Prior…
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“LooChoo nu Kwa” coming to Honolulu
Our successful and emotionally charged production of LooChoo nu Kwa will be coming to the Mamiya Theater, on the St. Louis/Chaminade Campus on Waiʻalae Ave, in Kaʻimuki on Sunday, August 24th, 2pm. Tickets are $25 general admission, and $20 seniors (60 and over), students (12 and under). Seats are limited so buy early as we…
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melody. blogs release of her new album, “Lei Aloha”
melody.’s latest album, “Lei Aloha,” was just released today and she shares a photo of herself with the CD on her official blog. “Lei Aloha” has a total of 14 tracks and includes an album version of her hit single “Haruka.” This is melody.’s fourth album — following 2007’s “READY TO GO!” — and I…
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Seminar: Okinawan Language Revitalization
Professor Shinsho Miyara of the University of the Ryukyus will be giving a free talk on Okinawan Language Revitalization (PDF link) Monday, March 17, 2008. The talk will take place from 2:30 PM to 4 PM at the Center for Korean Studies Auditorium, University of Hawaii’s Manoa campus. (Nifee to Char for the info.)
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Okinawan music and dance performance: ‘Loochoo nu Kwa, Children of Loochoo’
Norman Kaneshiro-sensei emailed information on an Okinawan music and dance performance his group has lined up for March 28, 2008, a Saturday. Titled “Loochoo nu Kwa, Children of Loochoo,” the performance featuring the talented members of Ukwanshin Kabudan will be held at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center (<rant>for those like me who are irritated…
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Community: Congratulations to Kenton Odo, June Nakama and Calvin Nakama
There’s a nice story by Steve Murray on Midweek.com (‘SHAMISEN’) on the accomplishments of three musicians from Hawaii who are “the first foreigners to earn a master’s certificate in the Okinawan shamisen.” Definitely worth a read. All three musicians will be performing in Hawaii on Tuesday, November 27 as part of the 14th annual TOBE!…
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Announcement: Chimugukuru: The Soul of Okinawan Dance
Ryusei Honryu Ryuko Kai Presents Chimugukuru The Soul of Okinawan Dance Dance performance from the school of Kaishu Toguchi Mitsuko Ryubu Kenkyusho and guest dancers from Okinawa Date: December 1, 2007 (Saturday) Time: 2:00 p.m. Hawaii Okinawa Center Admission: Free (Complimentary tickets available) You know the drill by now, if you’re interested in tickets contact…
Karakui 