Highlights: 2009 Hawaii Dragon Boat Festival At Ala Moana Beach Park

On Your Mark. Get Set. Row!

It’s that time of year again for the annual Dragon Boat Festival at Ala Moana Beach Park. This free event took place on June 27 and 28.

This year’s Dragon Boat Festival featured local and national boat racing teams competing for an industry trophy in two catagories – open race award division and the division race award. Each boat is consisted of 16 paddlers, a flag catcher, a drummer and steersman.

Due to the economy, the $450 entry fees were waived, thanks to grants and private donations. Mahalo to all the sponsors and the City & County of Honolulu for another successful Dragaon Boat Festival.

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Candlelight Vigil: Hawaii Remembers Michael Jackson At Magic Island

Aloha To The Pop Legend

Hawaii fans gathered for a candlelight vigil at Magic Island, Ala Moana Beach Park tonight in remembrance of Michael Jackson, who passed away on June 26, 2009.

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King Of Pop – Michael Jackson Dead At 50

R.I.P.
R.I.P.

CNN: Michael Jackson, pop music legend, dead at 50

Goodbye Spring. Hello Summer.

Summer Night In Waikiki

It’s now Summer in Hawaii. Summer officiallly started last night (June 20th) at 7:45pm. Have a safe and fun Summer.

Aloha Friday, Aloha Apple iPhone 3G S

Where’s The Line?

The new Apple iPhone 3G S is finally here and people lined up very early to get their hands on one. The line at the Apple Store Royal Hawaiian in Waikiki wasn’t long at all. The photo above was taken around 6:45 in the morning

7am…Come On In!

Hope you all are enjoying your new iPhone 3G S. Have fun!

Photos taken with BlackBerry Storm.

King Kamehameha Lei Draping In Downtown Honolulu

Annual King Kamehameha Statue Decoration Ceremony - June 12, 2009

Early this afternoon, the statue of King Kamehameha I was draped with 30-foot leis for the Annual King Kamehameha Statue Decoration Ceremony. A large crowd gathered around the statue, fronting the Ali’iolani Hale, for the ceremony and was also entertained by the Royal Hawaiian Band and hula dancers.

The 93rd Annual King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade will be tomorrow, starting at 9:30 a.m. from Downtown Honolulu to Waikiki. This year’s celebration theme is “E Ho’omau I Ka Ha” (To Preserve the Breath).

Colombian Training Ship ARC Gloria Docks At Aloha Tower

Colombian Tall Ship - ARC Gloria - Aloha Tower - June 9, 2009

Aloha Colombia!

Today, the Colombian Tall Ship – ARC (Armada of the Republic of Colombia) Gloria was opened to the public for a free tour of the ship. The ARC Gloria, a training ship, arrived in Honolulu yesterday and is docked at Pier 8, Aloha Tower. The ship leaves for Japan on Thursday.

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Highlights Of The 2009 Pan-Pacific Ho’olaule’a In Waikiki

Sounds Of Taiko

This past weekend, the 3-day Pan-Pacific Festival, now in its 30th year, kicked off with a Ho’olaule’a (block party) in Waikiki. Nine stages lined up along Kalakaua Avenue with cultural performances with Japanese taiko drummers, dance, hula and music. There were also, food booths, arts and crafts and many multi-cultural exhibits.

Celebrating its 30th Anniversary, a special stage at Sunset On The Beach was set up for the Islands Concert featuring a night of hula.

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2009 Summer Bon Dance Schedule For Oahu

Let’s Odori!

It’s that time of year again for the Bon Dance season in Hawaii. The Obon Dance Festivals are held every weekend at various Buddist Temples around the island. Come and dance. Everyone is welcomed!

Here are this year’s Bon Dance schedule for the island of Oahu.

JUNE

  • June 6 (Sat.): Waipahu Cultural Garden Park (map), 6-10 p.m. (677-0110)
  • June 20 (Sat.): Ewa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple (map), following 6 p.m. service (677-4221)
  • June 26-27 (Fri./Sat.): Wahiawa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple (map), 7:30 p.m. O-bon service on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.; Hatsubon service by invitation only on Saturday, June 20 at 6:30 p.m. (622-4320)
  • June 26-27 (Fri./Sat.): Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin (map), following 6 p.m. service; Also featured are a Bon Boutique (“things Oriental”), Bon Dance portrait taking, food booths and snacks. Practice sessions on June 22-24 at 7:30 p.m. (536-7044)

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Grand Opening Of Honolulu Farmers’ Market At Blaisdell Today

Island Fresh. Locally Grown.

Today, under rainy skies, was the grand opening of the Honolulu Farmers Market at the Neil Blaisdell parking lot (corner of Ward Avenue and Kapiolani Blvd.). The Farmers’ Market was put on by the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with the City & County of Honolulu, featured locally grown fruits and vegetables, plants,  meats and seafoods, and Made In Hawaii products.

At today’s market, over 20 vendors were on hand to showcase their products including Maunawilli Greens, Hamakua Springs Country Farms, Nalo Farms, Kahuku Farms, WOW Farms, Big Island Abalone, North Shore Coffee Co., Penny’s Orchids and much more. There were also live entertainment, informational displays, food vendors and free sampling.

The Honolulu Farmers’ Market will be held every Wednesday from 4pm to 7pm. For more information and other Farmers’ Market location, visit www.hfbf.org.

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