Whether you hear greetings of 'Kung Hei Fat Choi', 'Gung Hay Fat Choy' or 'Kung Hee Fat Choy' they all mean the same thing...someone is wishing you congratulations and much prosperity in the New Year.
The Chinese Lunar calendar runs in 12 year cycles and each of the twelve is represented by an animal; Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. This year the Chinese Calendar celebrates the year of the Snake.
Celebrations for the New Year or 'Spring Festival' as it is better known in China, lasts 15 days, opening with much celebration, symbolism, special foods, families visiting, "Lion Dances" and fireworks and ends with the 'Lantern Festival' where participants release candle lit lanterns to fly up into the night skies or place them in streams, rivers or ocean shores to be carried far and wide, symbolizing the letting go of their past selves (or the problems of the past year).
Hilo's annual Chinese New Year changed venues this year and was held yesterday, Saturday 9th, at the bayfront Mo'oheau Park in downtown Hilo under the huge monkey pod trees, with much merriment, food, music, hula and of course, Lion Dancing, Chinese Calligraphy and I-Ching readings.
A few attendees enjoying hula dances in front of the main stage...
I-Ching readings
Dragon Puppets for sale
A cute little girl handling her puppets with deep concentration
Eugene Tao, retired editor of the Hawai'i Tribune Herald of Hilo practicing the art of Chinese calligraphy as he writes 'good wishes' signs for attendees. There were several options to choose from and the attendees would pick the one they wanted written for them.
The Hawai'i County Band performing in the Mo'oheau Bandstand to a very appreciative audience. The band is directed and conducted by Paul Arceo. I will be sharing more about our wonderful county band in the near future.
Hilo resident Terry Sever performed two songs with the County Band...The first was a very spirited rendition of "You can't take that away from me" and the second a lively "Blue Moon". Both songs had the audience singing or mouthing the words along with her.
The Hawai'i Community College School of Culinary Arts under the direction of Chef Allan Okuda and instructor Chef Sandy Barr Rivera have been long time participants in the Hilo Chinese New Years festivities. This year students demonstrated how to make potato gnocchi and served Chinese Braised Beef with Cilantro Potato Gnocchi to the public. I will share more about this at a later date.
We spent about 5 hours at the event and it was still going strong when we left!
Wishing Kung Hee Fat Choy to everyone! May the New Year be blessed with peace and prosperity.
