4th Eisa Drum Festival at Kapiʻolani Community College

A Celebration of Okinawan Cultural with Drums, Lions and Karate

Kapiʻolani Community College
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Posted: May 5, 2014

2013 Eisa Festival.
2013 Eisa Festival.
Photographs are from the 2013 Eisa Festival.
Photographs are from the 2013 Eisa Festival.

HONOLULU – Kapiʻolani Community College, through the Office of Student Activities, is pleased to announce that the 4th Eisa Drum Festival will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2014 on the Great Lawn of the campus. Food booths will be available from 4:30 p.m. The program will begin at 6:00 p.m. and conclude at 9:00 p.m. This event is FREE and open to the public.

Eisa is a form of dance and drumming unique to the people of Okinawa. It is an exhilarating combination of singing, chanting, dancing, and drumming. It originally had an important religious function of giving repose to the dead. In Okinawa and Hawaiʻi, Eisa continues to be performed at Bon Dances. This year, traditional and contemporary styles of drumming will be featured, along with karate and lions.

The first three festivals have been described as “magical” and event planners are hoping to continue the magic this year. Performers include: Chinagu Eisa Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi Okinawa Creative Arts, Young Okinawans of Hawaiʻi, and Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Karate. Special guests from Okinawa include the acclaimed chanter, producer and musician Daiichi Hirata, as well as the 2011 Worldwide Eisa Festival competition winners of Kajimaai.

Food will be prepared by Kapiʻolani CC’s famed culinary program. The Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau will make available some of its popular vendors like Bonfire Pizza and the Pig and the Lady. Detailed menu will be posted on Eisa Festival’s facebook page. Alcohol is strictly prohibited at this event.

Enjoy an evening under the stars. Bring lawn chairs to sit on, and blankets and jackets for the night chill. Up to date information on program, schedule, parking, maps and food items on sale will be posted at www.facebook.com/eisahawaii.

To see videos and photos from the 3rd Eisa Festival, visit: www.pigsfrom thesea.com.