AUTUMN MOON FESTIVAL RETURNS TO CHINATOWN
The Autumn Moon Festival is an important traditional celebration observed by many Asian cultures on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, when the harvest moon is the fullest and brightest. This year that exact day is Friday, when the Chinatown Improvement District will sponsor the Autumn Moon and Lantern Festival at Chinatown Cultural Plaza.
“The moon represents reunion and the festival celebrates the reunion of families,” explained Lee Stack, president of the Chinatown Improvement District.
Mooncakes, a symbol of family reunion, are a traditional part of the holiday, along with having family dinners, appreciating the full harvest moon and making colorful lanterns to hang out at night, Stack continued.
“So, on the 13th, we will be celebrating and featuring the moon, lanterns and mooncakes,” Stack said.
The event will highlight original, primarily handmade or transformed lanterns created by people in the community. (Visit the festival website for details on entering a lantern.)
“People can come to view the different lanterns, eat mooncakes and we will have lantern-making demonstrations so visitors can quickly and easily create their own paper lantern to take with them,” Stack said.
AUTUMN MOON AND LANTERN FESTIVAL
>> Where: Chinatown Cultural Plaza
>> When: 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday
>> Cost: Free
>> Info: cidchinatownhawaii.org/chinatown-lunar-lantern-festival.html
CELEBRATE LOCOMOTIVE’S 100TH BIRTHDAY
Train enthusiasts of all ages can help commemorate the 100th birthday of a steam locomotive once owned by Waialua Agricultural Co. — known as WACo 6 — Saturday through Monday at Hawaiian Railway Society in Ewa.
“WACo 6 is a part of Hawaii’s history — not just its railroading history but a part of the growth of Oahu,” said Steven Vendt, operations manager at Hawaiian Railway. “It is very rare that a piece of equipment is preserved for 100 years.”
WACo 6 is the only locomotive built in the state, and from spare parts, Vendt noted. While it is no longer operating, it is on display at Hawaiian Railway and will be staged and ready for photo opportunities at the event.
The three-day celebration features tours of the train yard, food available for purchase and train rides, including a special freight train photo run 10 a.m. Monday with several stops for passengers to get off and take photos.
WACO 6’S 100TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
>> Where: Hawaiian Railway Society, 91-1001 Renton Road
>> When: 12:30 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (last train leaves 3 p.m.); also 10 a.m. Monday
>> Cost: $10-$15
>> Info: 681-5461, hawaiianrailway.com.
HAWAIIAN CULTURE THE FOCUS AT PEARLRIDGE HO’OLAULE’A
Celebrate Hawaiian culture with crafts, educational demonstrations and musical performances Saturday at the Pearlridge Keiki Ho‘olaule‘a, the longest-running Aloha Festivals ‘Ohana Event, held each year at Pearlridge Center for the past 15 years.
“This year’s Aloha Festivals theme is Na Mo‘olelo ‘Ukulele (Stories of the ‘Ukulele), so in line with the theme, we will be hosting an area to learn about the ‘ukulele and learn how to play a song by Kumu Hannah Hanakia Tui,” said Lurline Kawainui, Aloha Festivals board member and keiki ho‘olaule‘a organizer.
There will also be ukulele performances by Na Hoku Hanohano award winner and ukulele master Herb Ohta Jr. and the students of Terry Brown Ukulele.
“This is the only ‘Ohana Event that focuses on the keiki to learn the history of the ‘ukulele and hands-on Hawaiian arts and crafts, at a place the whole family can enjoy together with lots of parking,” Kawainui noted.
The event includes an appearance by the Aloha Festivals Royal Court, performances by Halau Hula Olana and Ke Kula Mele Hawaii, and Pū Ha‘aheo, the third annual Keiki Conch Shell Blowing Contest.
PEARLRIDGE KEIKI HO’OLAULE’A
>> Where: Pearlridge Center, Wai Makai Center Court
>> When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday
>> Cost: Free
>> Info: pearlridgeonline.com, alohafestivals.com
