Japanese Society Welcomes Year of the Horse

By Maui Now Staff

The Japanese Cultural Society of Maui will welcome the Year of the Horse at its annual Shinnen Enkai or New Year dinner on Sunday, Jan. 19, at the Elleair Rainbow Room in Kahului.

The Shinnen Enkai begins at 5:30 p.m. with the traditional otoso or sake welcome, with no-host cocktail hour to follow. Dinner is scheduled to start at 6 p.m.

Cost for the buffet is $50 for adults, $20 for children 6 to 11 years old, and free for children ages 5 and under.

Tickets are available at the Maui Box Shop, Credit Associates in Wailuku, and Sanrio at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center until January 14.  Organizers note that tickets are limited and will not be sold at the door.

Event organizers say the Shinnen Enkai dinner will highlight the past year’s events and programs sponsored by JCS Maui, and will feature a kimono fashion show.

The organization will also install newly elected officers and board members, including the Rev. Shinkai Murakami as the new Japanese Cultural Society of Maui president.

The festivities also include a presentation of the prestigious Nihon Bunka Award to Hiroko Deleon, a former Japanese language instructor of University of Hawaiʻi, Maui College.