Most viewed - Shibukawa 渋川市 |
Hula kahiko started with a chant. ショーは夜の8:45〜9:45、フラカヒコで始まった。8月5日の第三の夜は雷雨のため中止となった。これらの写真は4日と6日に撮影。毎晩、ちょっと違うショーだった1326 views
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Hula Halau'O Kamuela from Oahu won the overall title at the 2008 Merrie Monarch Festival held in Hilo, Hawai'i. The overall winner is also invited to perform at Ikaho Spa's annual Hawaiian Festival held in August.839 views
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The following photos (watermarked "2008") of Robert Walker Irwin's summer residence were taken before it was moved to its present location.544 views
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Aloha Dalire teaching hula in Ikaho. The Hawaiian workshops were held at the Ikaho Kaikan Hall in central Ikaho. アロハ・ダリレが教えるフラセミナー514 views
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For the 12th Ikaho Hawaiian Festival held during Aug. 3-6, 2008, Hula Halau'O Kamuela performed every night for an hour as the festival's main event (free admission). 伊香保ハワイアンフェスティバルのメリーモナークショー450 views
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A big mahalo to Hula Halau 'O Kamuela for traveling all the way to Ikaho and making us all happy with their hula. I have already given free copies of these photos (and more) to the performers through Kau'i and Kunewa.372 views
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Main venue of the Ikaho Merrie Monarch Hawaiian Festival held every summer in Ikaho Spa, Gunma Prefecture since 1997. It is on a city-operated parking lot. 伊香保ハワイアンフェスティバル会場313 views
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For that one magical hour, it felt like we were in Hawai'i.299 views
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The kumu hula is Kamana'o Anson Kauionalani or Kaui for short. He does a solo dance here. The music was performed by a wonderful Hawaiian trio called 'Ale'a.297 views
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Robert Walker Irwin's summer residence in Ikaho, next to the Stone Steps. He was the Hawaiian Minister to Japan during the late 19th century. He coordinated the immigration of Japanese to Hawaii. ロバート W. アルウイン別邸292 views
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Backbend sequence by Māhealani Mika Hirao-Solem who later became Miss Aloha Hula at the 2010 Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawai'i.282 views
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Their first number was hula kahiko (ancient hula). The performance was held from 8:45 pm to 9:45 pm. On the third night (Aug. 5), the show was unfortunately cancelled due to heavy nighttime rains.275 views
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One of my favorite shots.270 views
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Two of the girls were students at the high school I graduated from in Honolulu.266 views
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More eye candy with colorful, shimmering grass skirts.264 views
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Māhealani Mika Hirao-Solem who later became Miss Aloha Hula at the 2010 Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawai'i.263 views
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Kumu hula Kau'i Kamanao in a cheerful duet.262 views
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Many of the girls were still high school students.259 views
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For many women, hula is good exercise, recreational fun, or a chance to look and feel like a different person. The colorful costumes, flowers, attractive movements, and glamorous setting are all very appealing.258 views
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They used one 'uli'uli, a feathered gourd rattle.257 views
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Backbend was a real crowd pleaser.254 views
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Group shot of the Hawaii gang and Ikaho Hawaiian Festival Committee.252 views
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After the backbend.246 views
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Māhealani Mika Hirao-Solem performs at Ikaho, Japan. She later became Miss Aloha Hula 2010. Shadows on her velvety gown look good.245 views
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For the three shows they did perform, each show was slightly different. For people who saw all three shows, they got something different from each show.244 views
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The audience sit on the Stone Steps to watch the "Street corner hula." So what did they do when it rained?241 views
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The photos on this page were taken on two different nights.240 views
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Māhealani Mika Hirao-Solem who later became Miss Aloha Hula at the 2010 Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawai'i.237 views
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What would a hula show be without the 'uli'uli gourd rattles?236 views
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Love234 views
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Māhealani Mika Hirao-Solem230 views
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Hula girl227 views
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Main room of the Irwin summer house. When these photos were taken, the house served as a museum. However, in April 2014, a new Guidance Museum next to the relocated house opened to display these artifacts. The house has no exhibits now.226 views
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Hawaiian celebrities Aloha Dalire and Luana Kawelu pose with yet another group of Japanese hula dancers in a hotel lobby in Ikaho.221 views
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Music was provided by Puka on bass, Aaron Sala on keyboard and Kunewa Mook on ukulele.220 views
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They use 'ili'ili stone castanets.218 views
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Iki and Robert Walker Irwin at the Imperial Palace for the promulgation of the Meiji Constitution in Feb. 1889. ロバート W. アルウインと妻のイキ215 views
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A touch of elegance with this solo number.213 views
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In the background is the flag of the city of Shibukawa, the sister city of the County of Hawai'i (island of Hawai'i or the Big Island).211 views
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Her lit arms pierce the dark...210 views
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The final number.210 views
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On the final night, they gave an encore where Kau'i joined in.208 views
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Letter from Big Island Mayor Stephen Yamashiro proclaiming sister-city relations with Ikaho (before it merged with Shibukawa).208 views
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Kau'i in a duet, paddling in a canoe.207 views
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最後の夜だけアンコールがあった207 views
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The crowd watching the show. The front row includes guests from Hawai'i.206 views
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On the left side of the stage was the Hawaiian flag.203 views
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This modest building is only part of a larger complex of Irwin's summer residence. This is the front entrance. Note that this residence has moved slightly up the Stone Steps in fall 2013.203 views
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Sister-city exhibit for the County of Hawaii (Big Island).202 views
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Aloha Dalire dancing the hula on stage. 飛び入り参加したアロハ・ダリレもフラを披露。197 views
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Family of Robert Walker Irwin. Left to right: Robert Jr., Bella, 4th daughter Agnes, Iki, 2nd son Richard, Robert, 3rd daughter Marion, and 2nd daughter Mary.197 views
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Bamboo rattles called pu'ili.195 views
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His slow hula dance drove the ladies wild. You should've heard the screams...195 views
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Kau'i performs a solo number.193 views
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The band go over their numbers before going on stage.192 views
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The surprise on the last night was kumu hula Kunewa Mook dancing on stage. 違う夜にクネヴァ・ムークも飛び入り参加191 views
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He's a crowd pleaser as well and well-known in Japan. Also a graduate of the same high school as me.190 views
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Kunewa Mook, one of the kumu hulas for Hula Halau 'O Kamuela.190 views
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Members of Hula Halau 'O Kamuela try Japanese-style dancing during the farewell party.189 views
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Ikaho's sister-city exhibit in Machi-no-Eki building (ropeway terminal).189 views
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Bella Irwin established the Irwin Gakuen school and kindergarten アルウィン学園 in 1916 in Kojimachi. Today, the school is in Tokyo's Suginami Ward called Irwin Gakuen Gyokusei Hoiku Senmon Gakko.189 viewsshe
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Kunewa is a very distinguished-looking man, much more so in person than in pictures. He always has a great smile for the camera too.186 views
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This lady has produced five Miss Aloha Hulas, including all three of her daughters and this year's Miss Aloha Hula (Kuhi Suganuma).185 views
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On the last night of the festival, a farewell party was held for the Hawaii delegation. Shibukawa city council chairman Katsuaki Oshima (left) and Mayor Kogure pose with members of Hula Halau 'O Kamuela.181 views
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Aloha Dalire performing in the Ikaho Hawaiian Festival.177 views
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The band.175 views
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The bass player is also a graduate of my high school.175 views
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Robert Walker Irwin and oldest daughter Bella. Portrait taken when they visited the US.174 views
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The surprise on the second night (Aug. 4) was a performance by kumu hula Aloha Dalire.165 views
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Modern hula dances such as this one is mainly for tourist entertainment.163 views
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This venue is called "Machikado Hula." (Street corner hula). It went on from 11 am to 5 pm during the four-day festival (except on the first day when it started from 1 pm).161 views
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The Ikaho hula festival is officially sanctioned by The Merrie Monarch Festival, held in spring in Hilo, Hawaii. It is the most important and prestigious hula competition.160 views
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Tahitian dances were also performed.158 views
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In the evenings, the overall winner of the annual Merrie Monarch Festival in Hawaii performed on stage. In 2003, it was Hula Halau 'O Kamuela from Oahu. They performed both the ancient hula kahiko dances (pictured here) and modern auana dances in Ikah155 views
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This was a song about paddling a canoe, I think.155 views
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They are professional hula dancers, some of the best in the world.152 views
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The nightly main event was an hour-long Merrie Monarch hula show by Hula Halau 'O Kamuela, the overall winner of the 2008 Merrie Monarch Festival held in Hilo, Hawaii.152 views
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Hula is also performed by men. These photos were taken during the 7th Ikaho Hawaiian Festival (Aug. 5-7, 2003).148 views
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A young Robert Walker Irwin.148 views
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Colorful costumes and lots of eye candy.147 views
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Mayor Kogure speaks with Aloha Dalire and Luana Kawelu after the Merrie Monarch Show.146 views
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Upper left is a letter from Yukiko Irwin, Bella's niece. Upper right are hymns used by Bella's Sunday School. Photo below shows Yukiko Irwin (daughter of Robert Irwin's 2nd son Richard) visiting Ikaho in 1979, meeting with a cultural property146 views
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Kumu hula Kau'i Kamana'o does a solo number.143 views
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In 1985, the 100th anniversary of the Japanese immigration to Hawaii, Ikaho designated this residence as one of the town's Historic Places. ハワイ王国公使別邸142 views
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Crowd-pleasing performance.141 views
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In 1985, the 100th anniversary of the Japanese immigration to Hawaii, Ikaho designated this residence as one of the town's Historic Places. ハワイ公使別邸140 views
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Finally, they use feathered gourd rattles called Ulīʻulī.139 views
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Aloha Dalire taught seminars in hula history, Hawaiian expression, and lei-making (pictured here). She brought a boxful of a'ali'i flowers for lei-making. All the students had heard of the flower, but it was the first time for them to see it.139 views
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This modest building is only part of what was a larger complex of Irwin's summer residence. This is the front entrance. Open to the public, free admission.139 views
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Aloha also taught two hula workshops. For the first workshop, she taught the song "Nani Lawa'i" (sung by Na Palapalai). First, she had the students close their eyes and listen to the song.138 views
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Short greetings by Luana Saiki-Kawelu, Assistant Director of the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawaii. Ikaho's Hawaiian festival is Japan's only hula event officially endorsed by the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo.135 views
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After the bamboo sticks, the girls used a gourd drum called ipu.133 views
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Letters to Bella from her Sunday School students. Lower right is a chronology of Bella's life published by her school. Her name "Irwin" is rendered in kanji characters pronounced "Ari-in." 有院133 views
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Hula workshops are also offered during the day at cost. A famous kumu hula teacher from Hawaii teaches the class.132 views
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Panel explaining Bella Irwin's Christian Sunday School.131 views
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Kumu hula Aloha Dalire explains that she is a 7th-generation kumu hula in her family, and produced five Miss Aloha Hulas at the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, including all three of her daughters and Kuhi Suganuma, the 2008 Miss Aloha Hula.128 views
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Every year, the overall winner of the Merrie Monarch Festival is invited to perform at Ikaho's Hawaiian festival. They started with a hula kahiko (ancient hula) dance.127 views
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Kumu hula Kunewa Mook also speaks at the opening ceremony. In the background is the flag of the city of Shibukawa. In Japan, all cities, towns, and villages have their own official logo and flag.125 views
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Kupuna 4分ごとに各フラチームがステージで出演。125 views
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Thomas Goya during the closing ceremony.125 views
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The Honorable Jiichi Kogure, mayor of Shibukawa, lauds the festival during the closing ceremony. 渋川市長 木暮治一125 views
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Aloha Dalire also speaks during the closing ceremony.125 views
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Robert Walker Irwin in his later years. ロバート W. アルウイン. Read more about him here.125 viewsA young Robert Walker Irwin ロバート W. アルウイン
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A few words by Kau'i Kamana'o, kumu hula of Hula Halau 'O Kamuela who was the festival's guest performer and overall winner of the 2008 Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawaii.124 views
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Kumu hula Aloha Dalire, instructor of the Hawaiian seminars during the festival, also greets the audience. アロハ・ダリレ124 views
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First floor of Robert Walker Irwin's summer residence in Ikaho. When the house was moved, it was disassembled and repaired before reassembly.123 views
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Tommy Hirano, Honorary Consul-General of Japan from Hilo, Hawaii also speaks. It was his first visit to Ikaho.122 views
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Photo of of four of Irwin's children in Ikaho. The building on the right is apparently the building that remains today.122 views
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On the last day of the festival on Aug. 6, 2008, a closing ceremony was held at 8 pm before the prize drawing and Merrie Monarch Show. Luana Saiki-Kawelu gives a few words.121 views
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Upper left is a New Year's postcard to Robert. Lower left is a funeral notice for Iki. Upper right is a family portrait.121 views
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They wore a variety of colorful costumes and used various hula instruments such as these frayed bamboo sticks called Pūʻili.118 views
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Thomas Goya, from Hilo and president of the Japanese Community Association of Hawaii, speaks as a representative of the County of Hawai'i, Ikaho's sister city. ハワイ島日系人協会会長118 views
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For the second hula workshop, Aloha taught the song "Nani Manoa." The workshops were held at Ikaho Kaikan hall. 伊香保会館118 views
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After Irwin died, the house was sold to Kodansha, a publishing company, and used for employee training. Eventually, the house was acquired by Gunma Prefecture and later by Ikaho/Shibukawa.117 views
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Hula on the Stone Steps 石段街116 views
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Dreamy stage lighting.116 views
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Left to right: Robert Jr., Bella, 4th daughter Agnes, Iki, 2nd son Richard, Robert, 3rd daughter Marion, and 2nd daughter Mary.116 views
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Ikaho is famous for the Stone Steps lined with shops. A section of it also served as a second hula stage during the day.115 views
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Students who attended all five Hawaiian seminars were given a Certificate of Completion signed by Aloha Dalire who enjoyed teaching the seminars. She then freely signed autographs and took pictures with the students.115 views
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It cost 30,000 yen to take all five seminars or 10,000 yen for one seminar. The hula seminars were the most popular. Free ukulele lessons were also taught at a different venue by a Japanese teacher.115 views
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On the left is a winter coat worn by wife Iki. A few lamps, hibachi heater, and furniture used in the Irwin summer residence also displayed.115 views
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Hawaiian Waiwai Party ("Waiwai" means boisterous.)114 views
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Tommy Hirano during the closing ceremony.114 views
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The opening ceremony included a few speeches and a ukulele performance by Mr. San'uemon Chigira, the chairman of the festival committee.113 views
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Every 4 minutes, a new group of hula dancers went on and performed on stage. This went on for four days 10 am to 6 pm (except on the first day when it started from 1 pm).112 views
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Upper left is a photo of the Hawaiian Minister's residence in Tokyo. Lower left is a pamphlet of the Mitsui Club at the minister's residence. Upper right is a portrait of Irwin and Bella in the US.111 views
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Ikaho is also a sister city of Hawaii island. During Aug. 5-7, 2003, Ikaho hosted the 7th King Kalakaua Merrie Monarch Hawaiian Festival featuring hula performances by numerous Japanese hula groups.110 views
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Once upon a time, hula in Japan was mainly done by elderly women. Not anymore as hula's popularity has spread to all ages in Japan.110 views
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The first day featured Keiki Hula (hula by children).110 views
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Rear view of Irwin's summer residence. This building has moved to a new location up the Stone Steps and these photos show it at the previous location at the foot of the Stone Steps.110 views
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Portrait of Robert Walker Irwin and with his Japanese wife Takechi Iki who was from a samurai family.110 views
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Guests of Honor from Hawaii were introduced to the crowd.109 views
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On the top right is a letter from Hawai'i's Governor George Ariyoshi (next image). The lower right are rocks from Kilauea volcano, and the left are souvenir ribbons marking the 100th anniversary of the first Japanese immigration in 1868.109 views
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At center top and bottom are copies of Irwin's marriage applications. Bottom left is a news clipping announcing Irwin's marriage to Iki. Top right is a photo of the Irwins in Ikaho.109 views
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Ink stone and brushes used by wife Iki.109 views
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Town parking lot with a makeshift stage and main venue of the festival. The "Merrie Monarch" refers to King David Kalakaua who reigned over the Hawaiian Kingdom 1874-1891. He promoted hula in Hawaii as well as Japanese immigration to Hawaii.108 views
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Dishes and cutlery used in Irwin's Ikaho residence. Most were imported from Europe and the US. Some are also from Japan.108 views
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Foyer of the Irwin summer house. A US flag, but no Hawaiian flag...107 views
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Robert Walker Irwin's summer villa was moved to its present and original location in fall 2013. Map here.107 views
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All the seats were filled during the all-day performances. So many hula groups applied to perform during the festival that Ikaho had to draw lots to decide who could appear.106 views
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A few hula dancers take a break after performing their number on the Stone Steps.106 views
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This inn called Kanzanso has been torn down to make way for the relocated Irwin house.106 views
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Top left is a photo of four of Irwin's children in Ikaho. Top right is a photo of Irwin and his children in Ikaho. Bottom left is a postcard addressed to Irwin in Ikaho. Bottom right are Ikaho postcards bought by Irwin.106 views
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From 7 pm to 8:30 pm, the Hawaiian Waiwai Party allowed anybody to go up front and dance the hula. Hawaiian music provided by a Japanese Hawaiian band (Dan Yamamoto & Ikaho Hawaiians).105 views
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After the Waiwai Party was a nightly drawing for prizes. People staying at any Ikaho inn/hotel would receive a lottery ticket which they put in this large box. The grand prize was a trip for two to Hawaii. The prize drawing was held on all four nights.105 views
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Veranda with a life-size Irwin cut-out.105 views
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One section of the Stone Steps also served as another venue for Ikaho's Hawaiian Festival. 「街角フラ」石段にて104 views
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A total of five 90-min. Hawaiian seminars were held during Ikaho's Hawaiian festival in Aug. 2008, and they were all taught by kumu hula Aloha Dalire who was very well received by the (thrilled) students.104 views
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Canopy for the spectators fronting the main outdoor stage.103 views
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Main stage where many Japanese hula troupes performed during the day for three days. Free admission.103 views
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The main venue has two large adjoining tents. The tent on the left covers the stage, and the one on the right covers the audience seats. The place is ringed by outdoor shops selling Hawaiian goods (mainly clothing).103 views
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The Hawaiian festival's opening ceremony was held on the festival's first day on Aug. 3, 2008. Among Japan's many hula festivals, this one is unique since it is organized by a city government based on sister-city ties.103 views
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Shops around the main venue.103 views
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Kanzanso, an inn fronting the bottom of the Stone Steps and where Irwin's summer estate was located. (No longer in existence.)103 views
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