CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL IN HILO Feb 9, 2013
The Eleventh Hilo Chinese New Year Festival will take place in Downtown Hilo on Saturday, February 9, 2013 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Mo`oheau Park & Bandstand, located across from the Hilo Farmers Market. It is free to the public.
Firecrackers will open the event at 9:30 a.m. at the front of the Mo`oheau Bus Station. Besides the Hawaii County Band, the entertainment will include Kobudo Taiko drums and the Okinawan Shi Shi Mai lion, the Lono Kanakaole Trio, classical Indian dancer Angel and students offering a Chinese-style dance. Desiree Moana Cruz will be the emcee. There will be a Keiki Chinese Costume Fashion Show at 12 noon. Keiki (children) who are interested in being in the fashion show should come dressed in their finest attire and sign up at the information tent in the park between 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
Performing groups have been practicing for months and are ready; in particular Kobudo Taiko who are bringing their rarely seen Shi Shi Mai lion. Nelson Makua designed a spectacular Year of the Snake tee shirt which he will be selling at the event. He has donated the use of his graphics. Petroglyph Press/Basically Books are in-kind sponsors and are helping with printing needs. Fortunately, two cruise ships are in port and so DIA’s Hilo Hula Days will take place at the festival. There are numerous artists, crafters, and food vendors who have already created Year of the Snake art and thematic products to sell. The County Band performs its monthly concert at the bandstand from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
The festival honors the late Robert “Steamy” Chow who guided and encouraged the development of the annual event. In the mid 1990s Chow celebrated the Chinese New Year there with lion dancers and firecrackers and was the inspiration for the festival.
Cultural practitioners, information booths, martial arts troupes, and demonstrations will be found in tents around the park alongside community members selling Hawaiian and Asian foods, arts, crafts and Chinese gift items.
For more information about the festival or to make a contribution, please call the association at (808) 935-8850, visit www.downtownhilo.com or email askalice@downtownhilo.com.
Kung Hee Fat Choy!
