About Town: August 13, 2020

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Japan-America Society of Hawaii presents the virtual summer festival

The NexGen leaders of the Japan-America Society of Hawaii (JASH) present the inaugural JASH Natsumatsuri virtually from 6-7 p.m. this evening.

This virtual summer festival will offer an evening of celebrating the best of Japanese Summer Festivals from the comfort of your own home, featuring international entertainment from Japan and Hawaii, a cultural segment on how matsuri is celebrated in Japan and in Hawaii, a sake etiquette workshop by sake sommelier Keith Nakaganeku of The Cherry Company, and an interactive game and great prizes.

The JASH Natsumatsuri is an event that has evolved from the Taste of JASH regional cuisine series featuring our five sister state relationships with Japan planned and produced last year by the next generation of JASH leaders, the NexGen Advisory Board.

The JASH Natsumatsuri is offered free to the public. Visit https://form.jotform.com/201985772559168 to register or watch it live on Facebook.

The Japan-America Society of Hawaii is a nonprofit organization with the mission of promoting understanding and friendship between the people of Japan and the United States through the special and unique perspective of Hawaii.

Kona Coffee Cultural Festival canceled due to pandemic

The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival has canceled its 50th anniversary celebration set for this November.

Organizers had planned to hold a modified, five-day festival running Nov. 4-8. However, current health guidelines in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic no longer make the golden anniversary celebration feasible.

“Our Board of Directors determined that a scaled back version of the Festival that complied with social distancing guidelines, would not be able to celebrate the 50 years of culture behind Kona’s famous coffee festival,” said Valerie Corcoran, Kona Coffee Cultural Festival president. “We look forward to welcoming festival goers to the 50th Kona Coffee Cultural Festival in 2021.”

The festival is now slated for Nov. 5-14, 2021.

The award-winning Kona Coffee Cultural Festival is recognized as the oldest and one of the most successful food festivals in Hawaii and honors Kona’s cultural heritage and recognizes the accomplishments of Kona coffee pioneers, farmers and artisans.

For more information, visit www.konacoffeefest.com.

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