Saturday Night in Tokyo

Posted on 11.29.15 under Dustin Wong, Junko Wong, Mamoru Sato, Nakano, Takako Minekawa, Tokyo, Uncategorized

It started in Nakano, a place known for Nakano Broadway, a mecca (wait, is that still a positive description?) for Otaku with its vinyl figures, manga, anime cells, maid bars, maid costumes, and all that good stuff.

Nakano Sun Plaza reminds me of the Tyrell Corporation in Blade Runner.

Not nearly as majestic, though — and where are the flying cars? It’s almost 2019…

We had dinner with Jessie, the daughter of my mentor, Mamoru Sato, a sculptor professor at the University of Hawaii, Manoa that advised me to become an art major. This was one of the biggest turning points of my life. We babysat Jessie and Dustin together — they were born just a couple of months apart.

I worked on Mo’s commissions throughout the years I was a student at UH.

Mo and Kathleen Sato — perhaps before they married.
(B&W photos ©Peter T. Brown estate)

Peter Brown (1955-1981) did jump through hoops, but not the usual hoops… I took this photo with his camera, turning the tables.

Signage in “ura” Nakano. The “ura” parts of the major centers (Shinjuku, Shibuya, Harajuku, etc) can be some of the most interesting.

Then I drove Jessica to her hotel in Shibuya and Dustin and Takako back to Wakabayashi, Setagaya.

I think they used this intersection in “Fast & Furious — Tokyo Drift.” Obviously, not going to race in this part of town. There would be more than a few traffic fatalities.

Hachiko intersection. Very interesting on weekends.

This party bus was empty. Kinda sad on a Saturday night!

Honolulu…

Posted on 11.29.15 under Estria, Honolulu, Waikiki

Ever-changing Kakaako. The construction in Honolulu is overwhelming. All fueled by fake money from the stock markets both domestic and foreign.

But on a nice day, it all looks wonderful, regardless.

Even a cloudy day…

There is a block or two of token “urbanism.” Estria has something to do with this, I think.

Kalakaua Ave is four lanes of one-way traffic through the heart of Waikiki, which is several square miles of boutiques. And a beach, I suppose…

It’s been a while since I’ve spent more than a day or two in Honolulu and while it certainly is beautiful, the traffic is not. At all…

The sign lies. There is no parking!

Harajuku @ the Honolulu Museum

Posted on 11.21.15 under Cross World Connections, Harajuku, Junko Wong, Lolita, Minori, Pierre Grill, Rendez-vous Recording

Cross World Connections coordinated the production of this exhibition about Harajuku fashion that runs from Nov. 20, 2015 to April 3, 2016.

Before we left the hotel, we shot this photo to test the fashion.

Minori was a focal point of this exhibition. She is a shironuri (painted white) fashion performance artist.

Minori does a face painting demonstration. This took about 3 hours to complete. She was was very focused and concentrated.

Sara Oka (far left) and some of the participating Japanese designers.

Believe it or not, there’s a Lolita movement in Honolulu.

And even a girl with a Blythe. She’s a designer at the museum!

The lovely, Maya Uemoto, Shuzo’s daughter.

Minori’s almost finished.

Junko with the Tokyo Boppers.

It was a nice time!

Later that night, went up to the Signature on top of Ala Moana Hotel. The piano player played passionately, eyes closed, with abandon.

At the end of his stint, he asked us: “What is the occasion?” in French-accented English. “Are you Pierre,” I asked. And indeed it was Pierre Grill who I first recorded with when his studio was a room in a small Makiki apartment way back when.

The last time I saw him, his daughter had just been born, 32 years ago…

Then we were joined by the lovely Kazemaru.

And, goodnight…

Haruno takes 2nd place at Hula O Na Keiki!

Posted on 11.21.15 under Hālau Kekuaokalāʻauʻalaʻiliahi, Halau Napualikolokelani, Haunani Paredes, hula, Kyleigh Marie Hokuao Manual-Sagon, Nā Kumu ʻIliahi

Haruno Terayama of Napualiko Lokelani, under the direction of Junko Wong, took 2nd place in hula, oli (Hawaiian chant) and best auana costume and adornments and a $500 scholarship at the Hula O Na Keiki held at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel (the most Hawaiian of all hotels) on November 14.

The drive from Wailuku to the west side is scenic and pleasant — when it’s not rush hour. There’s only one road until you reach the Lahaina Bypass.

Surprisingly, it’s still not that widely used, but you can be sure that will change.

There was a rainbow when I got to the Kaanapali Beach Hotel on Friday afternoon after picking up leis at Hawaiian Air Cargo. The Napualiko team was already there, having spent the night in preparation for day one which started with Haruno’s interview with the judges.

Haruno danced a great kahiko — I thought it was the best, but I’m no judge.

The overall winner was a Maui girl, Kyleigh Marie Hokuao Manual-Sagon from Hālau Kekuaokalāʻauʻalaʻiliahi, under the direction of Nā Kumu ʻIliahi & Haunani Paredes.

The beautiful Haunani Paredes chanting.

Day two is Auana, the modern hula with live music. Ahumanu is led by Liz Morales on guitar.

Haruno in her auana dress, based on a dress in a 1939 issue of Vogue.

The competition team.

Haruno accepts her awards. It was a great night for her. Hālau Kekuaokalāʻauʻalaʻiliahi is one of the best and hottest halaus in Hawaii, now. Their dancers have won all of the major competitions. Finishing 2nd to them is a great honor!

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