LIHUE — Mr. Motofumi Aramaki said a lot of people don’t know the meaning of his surname, so he just calls himself “Mr. Salmon.” Mr. Salmon was summoned to help here and there Saturday during the Happiness Planting Festival, coordinated
LIHUE — Mr. Motofumi Aramaki said a lot of people don’t know the meaning of his surname, so he just calls himself “Mr. Salmon.”
Mr. Salmon was summoned to help here and there Saturday during the Happiness Planting Festival, coordinated through the efforts of the El Cantare Foundation, the Happy Science, and the Happiness Planting Center.
“My name is ‘Aramaki,’ which means “salmon,” Arakami said. “I just call myself ‘Mr. Salmon’ because people understand that.”
Aramaki, his wife and daughter, were among 12 volunteers who came from Japan to help with the festival at the Happiness Planting Center in Lihue.
“We even have two people from Canada who came to help with this festival,” “There were 12 people from Japan who came to help,” said Rev. Nicole Sakurai.
Sakurai said the Happiness Planting Festival is to raise awareness of the spirituality and culture among people who, despite political issues and differences, work together as family.
The term in Hawaii is “aloha” and “ohana” and is often used, Sakurai said.
Leilani Rivera-Low of Hula Halau O Leilani offered the blessing in Hawaiian, accompanied by several hula performances, her traditional sounds being infused by the soothing John Dumas healing flutes and the harmonics of a wind chime dancing in the Saturday tradewinds.
The Happiness Planting Center represents what we each carry in our hearts — peace, joy, beauty, strength, and love — a language spoken by all people of all ages from keiki to kupuna, she said.
The festival is a celebration of cultural practices which encompasses dance, crafts, food, workshops, and music.
Visit www.happinessplantingcenter.org for more information.
