KAPAIA — The Lihu‘e Hongwanji Preschool on Sunday served as a catalyst to showcase some of the Lihu‘e Hongwanji Mission’s outreach programs and celebrate some of the traditional Japanese customs associated with the upcoming Kodomo no Hi, or Children’s Day, on May 5.
Started six years ago as a way for the preschool to raise funds for a new playground, the practice has continued as young people take the reins of the Japanese culture and present events steeped in tradition.
One of the icons of the traditional Japanese Boys’ Day was the koi, or carp, symbolizing strength as the fish would swim upstream against strong currents.
There was a station where young children, with the help of their parents and aides, could create a fish kite, and another station offering free gyotaku, or fish prints.
The Lihu‘e Kendo Association exhibited its swordwork and opened the event with a mochi-making demonstration that included samples for people to enjoy.
“This is just one of our outreach programs,” said Ted Inouye, the Lihu‘e Hongwanji Preschool’s representative. “We want to thank people for coming to enjoy this special event with us.”
Elton Ushio, the sensei, or head instructor, of the kendo program said the kendo dojo, or school, is not one of those programs prostituting martial arts.
“We charge $5 per family per month,” he said. “In the case of the Doi family where there are five people practicing kendo, the charge is $5.”
Similarly, the Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko, a group practicing the Okinawa taiko, is currently seeking to bolster its membership, said Glenna Ueunten, the group’s Kaua‘i leader.
“You remember the lively routines we used to be able to do? We can’t do that anymore because we don’t have enough members,” Ueunten said. “That’s the word from upstairs. We need more members.”
Ueunten said the RMD practices every Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center and people interested can stop by to watch the group practice.
She said the next event RMD will be performing at will be the Okinawa Festival scheduled for May 29-30 at the Kaua‘i Veterans Center on Kapule Highway in Lihu‘e.
“We’ll also be having a free mini taiko camp coming up June 13-14 at the Hui Alu clubhouse in Kapa‘a,” Ueunten said.
Sign-up sheets for the camp and regular RMD practice will be available at the Okinawa Festival, she said.
Kodomo no Hi started as a way for the preschool to help fund its new playground equipment while perpetuating some of the Japanese traditions and customs associated with children.
But the event was not limited to Japanese customs as Happy the Clown worked with her ferret to extract squeals of joy from youngsters; the members of the Interact Club of Kapa‘a High School helped dispense plate lunches and other foodstuffs; and community volunteers abounded to fill the day with demonstrations, food and entertainment.
