
HUOA is very privileged to have the generosity of countless numbers of traditional and contemporary artists and regional folk performers who have impressed our Festival year after year. 2010 is no exception. The Okinawan community has lots to celebrate this year with the 110th anniversary of Okinawan immigration to Hawaii, 50th anniversary of Naha City and Honolulu's sister city relationship, the 20th year of the Okinawa Prefecture and State of Hawaii's high school student exchange program and the 20th anniversary of the Hawaii Okinawa Center. Featured artists from Okinawa this year include:
NAHA
DAIKO
Saturday, September 4 at 12:15 pm
With its energetic taiko performance to commemorate the sister city relationship, it will be their fourth appearance at the Okinawan Festival. This year, they will feature the Festival debut performance of 25 members of our local Chinagu Eisa Hawaii group.
MAMORU
MIYAGI
Saturday, September 4 at 4:00 pm
One of Okinawa's most refined and talented shimauta singers, he will grace the stage for his fourth appearance as well. His lyrics are heartwarming and full of beauty and appreciation for his island home and his performance of traditional renditions are lively and uplifting.
OKINAWA
PREFECTURE JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL WIND ENSEMBLE SELECT BAND
Sunday, September 5 at 12:00 pm
Teh Okinawa Prefecture Wind Ensemble Federation (Okinawa-ken Suisougaku Renmei) will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a special performance on Sunday. Students throughout Okinawa auditioned and 50 were selected for the commemorative Hawaii engagement.
MIYARABI
FE-NU-NA
Sunday, September 5 at 1:20 pm
Radio Okinawa Segment
Radio Okinawa has held a new folk song contest in Okinawa for 21 years and the Grand Prix winner of this prestigious folksong or shimauta contest has performed at the Festival for 15 years. The young ladies of Miyarabi Fe-nu-na's winning song is entitled "Miyarabi Hana Ashibi". The lyricist and musical composer for this selection is Takayuki Oshiro who was also a grand prix winner a few years ago.
