Hilo Meishoin is hosting its first annual Koinobori Festival from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday to celebrate Children’s Day.
The social hall and parking area will be full of crafts, activities and games for children, as well as kimono dressing for attendees, with photo booths.
Hilo Meishoin’s Sunday School class, Boy Scout group, preschool and Odorikai organization will have booths offering a variety of goods during the event.
Bishop Kosen Ishikawa on Kauai started the tradition for this specific matsuri, or festival, before the COVID-19 pandemic, and it was initiated last year as a statewide Jodo shu project.
About 300 Koinobori, which were given to Jodo shu temples across the state, will be flying above Hilo Meishoin during the festival and on display through the entire month of May.
Koinobori are flown to celebrate Children’s Day, a national holiday in Japan that is traditionally known as Boys Day, on May 5 every year.
Koi are a spirited fish always swimming upstream against strong currents, which represents the strength and energy to overcome difficulties in life to attain higher goals.
The public and temple members are encouraged to sponsor one of the hundreds of koi with the hope that their children and grandchildren will grow strong, be healthy and complete their academic studies. Koi can also be sponsored in memory of a loved one.
Members are invited to support this temple project by bringing their families and friends to the community event.
“It is our hope that our Jodo shu temples can be a wonderful gathering place in the community, which gives strength, peace, and hope to all people,” said member Leonard Chow.