This year’s highly anticipated Hawaiian Festival Hawaii in Yurihama will be held this weekend (July 2nd-3rd) in the town of Yurihama in Japan’s Tottori Prefecture!
In its 17th year, this 2-day hula festival features various dance performances and Hawaiian culture workshops at the Hawai Aloha Hall event center (pre-registration required due to limited space).
On Saturday morning, participants will be able to participate in hula lessons (intermediate/advanced or beginner/kids classes available) or a hands-on ukulele lesson. In the afternoon, workshop participants will make kupeʻe (cord cuffs) representing the special bond between parents and their children before a welcome concert in the evening by the festival’s featured guests and friends of Yurihama, Dr. Taupōuri Tangarō and Unukupukupu, an incredibly talented hula group from Hawai`i Community College.
On Sunday, hula groups from all across Japan will showcase their talents on the Aloha Stage. The festival will finish with the Hawaii in Yurihama performance- a special and enthralling finale by Unukupukupu.
See more at: http://www.yurihama.jp/page.cgi?p=13203 (Japanese)
Check back for more Hawaiian-themed events taking place during this year’s Aloha Carnival!! Enjoy special menus put out by local restaurants participating in this year’s festivities, including Aloha burgers and rice-bowls, water sports, including a water walking ball (like a human-sized hamster ball!), and more!