Okinawan Festival canceled over hurricane concerns
CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARADVERTISER.COM
The Hawaii United Okinawan Association canceled the Okinawan Festival slated for Saturday and Sunday due to the possible severe weather from Hurricane Lester. Volunteer Rodney Kohagura moved burners for the andagi, or Okinawan doughnuts, toward a loading area.
STAR-ADVERTISER / SEPT. 2015
Chinagu Eisa Hawaii performed at the Hawaii United Okinawa Association 33rd annual Okinawan Festival at Kapiolani Park in Waikiki in September 2015. The Okinawan Festival, slated for Saturday and Sunday at Kapiolani Park, has been canceled due to the possible severe weather from Hurricane Lester.
The Okinawan Festival, slated for Saturday and Sunday at Kapiolani Park, has been canceled due to the possible severe weather from Hurricane Lester.
A note from festival chair Vince Watabu on the festival’s Facebook page says organizers made the decision after talking to the city about safety concerns. The event is sponsored by the Hawaii United Okinawa Association. This was to be its 34th festival.
Other weekend events have also been rescheduled due to possible storm conditions.
Gore Vidal’s political play “The Best Man,” scheduled to open Friday at The Actors’ Group, has been rescheduled for Sept. 9.
The Aloha Festivals Royal Court investiture and opening scheduled for Saturday has been rescheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 9 at the Royal Hawaiian Center’s Royal Grove.
The Sunset on the Beach event featuring films about humpback whales at Hilton Hawaiian Village has been relocated indoors to the Coral Ballroom, Rooms 4 and 5. Since capacity is limited, ticket holders for the public event must re-register at limitedsotbhumpbacks.eventbrite.com.
Event organizers may send cancellation notices to features@staradvertiser.com.
Hurricane Lester is expected to pass just north of the islands through the Labor Day weekend.
7 responses to “Okinawan Festival canceled over hurricane concerns”
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Oh, no — The best festival with the best food, is canceled! The organizers work so hard to present this every year. Thank you for looking out for the people and putting our safety first.
I hope it is possible to reschedule for later in the year! I look forward to the Okinawan Festival every year.
Me too on both sentiments. My opu was getting ready for some shoyu pork and andagi!
Nervous bunch.
With mostly tents at this festival, the high winds expected probably would have made Kapiolani Park look like a kite flying festival if they held it this weekend.
Nothing like a troll comment to liven things up huh?
Better to be safe than sorry…..hopefully it can be rescheduled later on….