Japanese Cultural Society to Hold New Year’s Dinner, Awards Presentation

Photo courtesy Japanese Cultural Society of Maui.

The Japanese Cultural Society of Maui will hold its annual Shinnen Enkai new year’s dinner on Saturday, Jan. 30, in the Elleair Rainbow Ballroom at the Maui Beach Hotel.

Students under the direction of Yaeko Yamamoto (known professionally as Matsudai Mitsuyae) will perform, along with Maui Taiko, and Japanese karaoke singers James Yanagida and Yumi Takedatsu.

Jan Matsushita, Lynn Araki-Regan and Yaeko Yamamoto will receive JCS’s prestigious Nihon Bunka Awards at the event.

The Shinnen Enkai will begin at 5:30 p.m. with the traditional otoso (sake welcome) with a no-host cocktail hour to follow.

The buffet dinner, scheduled for 6 p.m., is $50 for adults, $20 for children (6 to 11 years old) and free for children ages 5 and under.

Tickets are available through the Maui Box Shop and Credit Associates in Wailuku, and Sanrio at Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center until Friday, Jan. 22.

Tickets are limited and will not be sold at the door.

For more information, call Kay Fukumoto at 283-9999.