Yesterday, September 27, we went to the “ASHIYA HANOHANO FESTIVAL Hawaiian Festival”, held at Miratap Park Ashiya (Ashiya City General Park)～
ASHIYA HANOHANO FESTIVAL Hawaiian Festival
This was a truly special day: Ashiya’s “Hawaiian Festival,” which was held at Okuike 58 years ago, made its return as the “ASHIYA HANOHANO FESTIVAL Hawaiian Festival”!
Unfortunately, it was held in the rain, but plenty of people still came out to enjoy the event～
↑The path leading to the lawn area was lined with food trucks serving Hawaiian cuisine. Everything looked delicious～
↑A “Mochiko Chicken” bento sold at one of the food trucks. The crispy coating had a wonderfully fragrant curry flavor!
↑The lawn area featured vendor tents selling Hawaiian-themed goods and food, as well as tents where visitors could take a break.
↑Shine Muscat grapes from Fujiwara Farm in Okayama Prefecture, sold at one of the vendor tents. Perhaps because it was rainy and already evening, they were half price at just 300 yen—lucky us! They were incredibly sweet!
↑And of course, the main attraction was the hula dance show on stage! Many dancers from a variety of groups took part～
↑Despite the rain, a large crowd watched the stage intently from beneath their umbrellas～
↑The dancers also performed in the rain with wonderful smiles!
↑And then, to everyone’s surprise, Ashiya Mayor Ryosuke Takashima took the stage in an aloha shirt!
↑The mayor really gave the dance his all!
↑He even put on a show by tossing his hat into the audience! It was like watching an old-school pop idol～
↑For the grand finale, everyone at the venue—including the mayor—joined hands and sang together～
In Closing
Ashiya’s “Hawaiian Festival” has returned as a community-participation event, with the goal of making it one of Ashiya’s four major festivals, alongside the Ashiya Sakura Festival, Ashiya Summer Carnival, and Ashiya Autumn Festival. We hope it continues in the years ahead and grows even bigger and better～
Click here for the official “ASHIYA HANOHANO FESTIVAL” Instagram account
今年のハワイまつりで一番気になったのはどれ？
