Kodomo No Matsuri Children's Day Festival

The Japanese Community Association of Hawaii will present its 6th biennial “Kodomo No Matsuri” or Children’s Day Festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 5, at the Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin, Sangha Hall in downtown Hilo. The theme of this year’s festival is “Mottainai” or “Don’t Waste.” The focus of this free event is to bring awareness of the Japanese culture to children and families of the Big Island.

Highlights of this year’s festival include performances by the Puna Taiko Club Drummers, “Tadashi” (the ShiShi-Mai Dog), and the popular Japanese manga cat, Doraemon®. Hands-on taiko demonstrations, story-telling, games, and numerous “make-and-take” craft activities are open to all ages: bonsai, calligraphy, face masks, hakozukuri (box & package making), Japanese crafts using recycled materials, kabuto hats & fish, kazeguruma (pinwheels), mochi making, musubi making, okonomiyaki (Japanese pancakes), origami, paddle boat craft, shashin satsuai (picture-taking), and takoage (kite-making). Children can also participate in the Sumo Contest, Jan Ken Po Contest, or catch a live fish (sakana tsuri)! Don’t miss the exhibits, delicious food, or the special Doraemon Dance! Admission is free; some activities will have a small charge. For more information, please contact Joni Onishi at .