Thirty-seven years ago, the decline in traditional Japanese values, culture and heritage sparked a group of Nisei women to form the Japanese Cultural Society of Maui to perpetuate their heritage and help educate the sansei and yonsei generations. The Japanese Cultural Society is a member of the Maui County Sister Cities Foundation and helps host Japanese delegations for our foundation.  

In kind, this year the Maui County Sister Cities participated in their 7th Annual Matsuri Festival, selling sushi, raising funds for our foundation and feeding Maui with good food. Here is an except from Maui Matsuri News

2007 MAUI MATSURI (FESTIVAL), CONTEST WINNERS ANNOUNCED
                       
WAILUKU, Maui, Hawaii – The 7th Annual Maui Matsuri, presented by Island Honda, was held on May 18th and 19th, to honor Japanese cultural traditions with its theme of “Kodomo No Tame Ni (for the sake of the children)”.  A crowd of over 5,000 attendees enjoyed this year’s offerings of art, entertainment, contests, crafts and food.  The Maui Matsuri included a number of contests including the second annual Japanese Karaoke Contest, the annual Sam Sato’s Saimin eating contest and the new Children’s Kimono Dress Up Contest. 

To read more about the event click to: www.mauimatsuri.com/matsuri_news.htm.