A double celebration this weekend makes Historic Hanapepe Town an enticing destination. It kicks off for Friday Night Art Walk, and Storybook Theatre’s 35th anniversary event on Saturday evening at 3814 Hanapepe Road. The 65th Narcissus Queen and Court will be present from 6
A double celebration this weekend makes Historic Hanapepe Town an enticing destination.
It kicks off for Friday Night Art Walk, and Storybook Theatre’s 35th anniversary event on Saturday evening at 3814 Hanapepe Road.
The 65th Narcissus Queen and Court will be present from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday. Queen Brittany Lee, along with 1st Princess Eula (You-la) Chu, and 2nd Princess Taja Kuuleialohanani K. Wong, will meet with children and sign autographs.
Narcissus is a flower (Sui Sin Fah), known for its pure fragrance and is associated with the Lunar New Year.
Michele Choi, the Royal Court advisor, said they come with an invitation to add something to this community event. It is part of their mission of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii to serve as ambassadors to communities and to the state of Hawaii.
“We wanted to participate and this was a good opportunity to spread the culture and add to the festival,” Choi said. “It is exciting to be for the kids and it is import to be there for this cultural event.”
The Moon Cake Festival, also known as Mid-Autumn Festival, is celebrated Saturday through Monday. The holiday is considered second in importance to the Lunar New Year as a cultural celebrations in China and several other countries in Asia.
It will be central to Storybook Theatre’s 35th anniversary event on Saturday, with a Chinese moon cake celebration, slide show and children’s activities from 6 to 9 p.m. The event will feature moon cake tasting, Chinese pupu, organic Chinese tea, live music and activities for children.
“My wife is sending over authentic Chinatown moon cakes,” said Storybook Theatre Founder and Executive Director Mark Jeffers.
Queen Lee and her royal court will tell stories and honor Chang’e the Chinese Goddess of the Moon in honor of the festival. They will also take part in the theatre’s Princess Karaoke for children, to talk about the legend of Chang‘e.
“We are honoring our Chinese roots by hosting the Narcissus Queen Brittany Lee and some of her royal court from Honolulu,” Jeffers said. “They will be sharing their stories and talents and will also be serving authentic Chinese fortune cookies and moon cakes.”
Others present to add to the fun include musician Cindy Combs, pianist Adlla Chu, and Kim Duffett, designer of the Storybook peace education garden and Sparky M. Matsunaga statue.
Storybook Theatre began as a touring performing arts company for children in Honolulu in 1979. A state archeologist introduced Jeffers to the Hanapepe property in 1995, and the process began to restore the building now on the National Register of Historic Places.
“It was an eight-year journey from there, to the restoration and to what you see now,” he said.
Tickets are $12, and available at Storybook Theatre. Call 335-0712 or visit www.storybook.org.
