In Hawai'i, where we have so many different ethnic groups living together, we share a diversity of rich cultural customs and food traditions; there are several we borrow from the Japanese at this time of year.
One of them is the New Year's Mochi Pounding ceremony, or Mochitsuki, and they are held here and there around the islands, but one of the most popular is held in Wailea, a very small off the beaten path, usually sleepy village, remnant of the old sugar mill plantation days and located not far from where we live.
Do take time to click on the link above as it will give you lots of information about the rice used, the traditions and uses for mochi.
Just before the mochi pounding ceremony area, traditional Japanese New Year Kadomatsu have been erected on both sides of the road.
Now in it's 17th year, the Mochi Pounding ceremony at Akiko's Buddhist Bed & Breakfast started with a handful of neighbors and has grown to host dozens of vendors and hundreds of people who mill around the village from early morning until mid afternoon.
If Wailea Village had a mayor, it would be the owner and hostess of the B&B, Akiko Masuda, a tiny force to be reckoned with and the driving power behind the annual mochi pounding ceremony and all events happening in the village.
Of course, the steaming of the rice starts early in the morning, in boxes that resemble bee hives sitting over live fire. The steamed rice trays are emptied into the stone mortars, jabbed and beaten with wet sticks and then pounded with mallets until it reaches the desired consistency.
The pounding - Akiko gets into the action
The mixing and just that little bit more pounding
After it is considered 'just right', each batch is taken on rice flour covered trays across the street, where tables have been set and the ladies knead and shape into uniform balls; these are then filled with the sweet bean paste and placed in trays to be sorted and plated to be sold.
The shaping of the rice cakes
Kathleen Kam , local artist and muralist, wearing momohiki (farmer stype patchwork pants) and other garments of her creations using recycled boro (Japanese word for fabric scraps or rags) and old denim. There was also an exhibition of Single Fan Tai Chi by Master Wu; several food vendors, and Anthony and Galyn talking story while I snapped away.
Akiko's B&B is a complex of two main buildings (the original guest house and the old Motonaga Garage, which has been turned into an art gallery), several guest houses and the Temple of Gratitude, which you will find by strolling through the many flower lined paths crisscrossing the property.
As you walk through the property, you will find several stone sculptures by Dr. Fred Soriano (if interested in knowing more about his work, check out the book by Charlene Asato, Fred Soriano, Kalai Ki'i Pohaku (Carver of Stone)
The festivities continued through the day, and after we returned home, I could hear the Taiko Drums performance, from across the two little gulches between Wailea and our home.
Videos by Galyn Williams - Mahalo for your generosity and for putting up with my requests, Galyn!
