The Kona Japanese Civic Association and the Regency at Hualalai on Saturday are partnering to celebrate one of Japan’s summer festivals.
Tanabata, also known as the Star Festival, is celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh month when Orihime and Hikoboshi, represented by two stars, are allowed to meet by Orhime’s father, Tentei, the Sky King.
This free event is open to the public and will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Regency at Hualalai, 75-181 Hualalai Road in Kailua-Kona.
The festival will open with taiko drumming, Kagami Biraki sake ceremony and bon dancing. There also will be other live performances throughout the day.
Japanese food, including barbecue chicken sticks, somen noodles, musubis and koko, will be served.
This summer matsuri (festival) will include crafts featuring stars, including star lauhala weaving, keiki face painting, keiki ID, photo booth, screening of the “Go for Broke! Memories of Hawaii Japanese Niseis” movie, on-site tours and craft booths.
A popular Tanabata activity is writing wishes on tankazu cards (strips of colorful paper) and hanging them on a wishing tree.
For more information contact the Hualalai Regency at (808) 675-3975 or Claudia Chang at (808) 938-1338