Kung Hei Fat Choy!
Chinese New Year
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Year of the Snake
Chinese New Year 2013 Rings in
Year of the Snake!
Chinese New Year is considered the most important festival in the Chinese calendar. This holiday celebrates the beginning of a new year according to the lunar calendar. Since the lunar calendar is based on the phases of the moon, Chinese New Year is never on the same day each year, but usually falls somewhere between January 21st and February 20th.
Chinese New Year is celebrated with family gatherings, celebration, gift-giving, fireworks, the eating of symbolic foods and the display of decorations. Traditionally it is a 15-day holiday focused on bringing good fortune, happiness, wealth and longevity for the new year. Traditionally, in the days preceding the new year, Chinese families thoroughly clean their houses in order to sweep away bad luck and make way for incoming good luck. The Chinese New Year tradition is to reconcile, forget all grudges and sincerely wish peace and happiness for everyone.
The Snake is the sixth animal of the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac. Those born in the Year of the Snake tend to be intelligent, analytical, clever and graceful. By nature, the Snake is patient and watchful, cautious but inquisitive, cunning and secretive in its hiding place; and, is most at peace in calm, cool quietude. The Snake will keep us attuned to the earth more than in previous years, as this reptile moves along the ground and through water with its soft belly, so it picks up the vibrations of the environment very easily.
Chinese New Year Events:
Maui Chinese New Year Festival at Maui Mall
Saturday, February 9, 2013 – 9:00am to 2:30pm
The Fourteenth Annual Maui Chinese New Year’s Festival, sponsored in part by the County of Maui, will be held this year on Saturday, February 9, 2013, from 9:00am to 2:30pm, at the Maui Mall in Kahului. There will be Chinese food booths, Chinese arts and crafts, local produce, calligraphy, and leather brush artistry. Mayor Alan Arakawa will open the festivities at 10:00am. Maui Martial Arts Academy Lion Dancers and firecracker blessings will follow immediately thereafter, and be repeated at approximately 1:00pm, weather permitting. Event festivities include a Keiki Chinese Costume Contest, Tai-Chi and Kung-Fu demonstrations, a Chinese cooking contest, and Chinese dancers. There will be an Art Contest with cash prizes for students in four divisions, from K-12, on the theme of the Year of the Snake. There will also be an antique and historical display, Good Luck photos, balloon fun and crafts for the kids.
Enjoy Firecrackers, Dancing Lions and Music at The Shops at Wailea
Wednesday, February 13, 2013 – starts at 6:00pm
The Shops at Wailea kicks off Chinese New Year, featuring martial arts mastery, firecrackers and the traditional “feeding of the lions” on Wednesday, Feb. 13, at 6 p.m. This cultural experience, led by the accomplished and well-known Au’s Shaolin Arts Society, will usher in “The Year of the Snake” for South Maui residents.
The Shops’ “Wailea on Wednesdays” free concert series continues under the stars each week (6:30 to 8 p.m.) in the center’s Lower Courtyard on Feb. 13 and 20 and at the East Wing on Feb. 6 and 27. The concert series is highlighted by gallery receptions, artist appearances and one-night-only shop and restaurant specials.
For the most up-to-date event information, visit TheShopsAtWailea.com.
Napili Plaza Welcomes The Year of the Snake
Thursday, February 14, 2013 – starts at 10:00am
Napili Plaza is proud to welcome Ben Sing Au and the Au’s Shaolin Arts Society to celebrate the beginning of The Year of the Snake. Come watch them as they showcase their martial arts techniques, lion dance and firecracker display on Thursday, February 14 at 10 a.m. – a perfect way to start your Valentine’s Day, too!
The tradition is to feed the lion a head of lettuce to bring prosperity to the Center. The public is encouraged to attend. Lycee, or red envelopes meant to present with a monetary gift, will be distributed to “feed” the lion for good luck.
Known as Napili’s Neighborhood Center, Napili Plaza boasts a small-town ambiance for both residents and visitors alike. Providing over two decades of joy and fun, Napili Plaza is located just minutes from Kapalua, Ka`anapali and Lahaina. For more information, call (808) 244-8735 or visit www.NapiliPlaza.com.
County of Maui Celebrates Chinese New Year
Friday, February 15, 2013 – starts at 9:00am at County Building
The County of Maui will welcome the Chinese Lunar New Year with a special event at the County Building on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013.
The Year of the Snake celebration will begin at 9:00 a.m. on the front lawn of the County Building, with martial arts exhibitions and a lion dance performance by Master Ben Seng Au and his Shaolin Martial Arts Academy. The festivities open with firecrackers, and include drums, cymbals and elaborate lion costumes.
Red “li-shi” envelopes, used to feed the lions in the hopes of bringing good luck, will be available at the front desk on the 9th floor of the County Building. They will also be available on the lawn the day of the event.
The event is free and open to the public; local preschools also will be in attendance. For more information, contact the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development at 270-7710.
Chinese New Year Celebration on Front Street in Lahaina
Friday, February 15, 2013 – 5:30 to 9:00pm
Ring in the Chinese New Year in historic Lahaina Town Friday, February 15th from 5:30-9:00pm as festivities kick off with a martial arts demonstration at the Baldwin Home Museum lawn. The traditional Lion dance will follow visiting Front Street merchants and ending with a firecracker display at the Wo Hing Museum.
All are invited to join in this annual event as Lahaina Town Action Committee and Lahaina Restoration Foundation hosts a celebration of Chinese tradition and culture. Festivities include children’s arts & crafts, Farmer’s Market, “Year of the Snake” merchandise and delicacies from Fu Lin restaurant for sale. A Lion Dance performance and fireworks display will be presented by Ben Seng Au’s “Shaolin Arts.”
The Baldwin Home Museum is located on the corner of Front and Dickenson Streets, with paid parking located on Dickenson Street behind the Baldwin Home Museum. The Wo Hing Museum is located at 858 Front Street in Lahaina Town. For more information on this event, please contact Lahaina Restoration Foundation at (808)661-3262 or visit www.lahainarestoration.org.
Makawao Town’s 21st Annual Chinese New Year’s Lion Dance Celebration
Saturday, February 16, 2013 – 10:00am to 12:00 noon
Makawao merchants invite you to come and join in this celebration. The Au’s Shaolin Arts Society will offer the Lion Dance with a Martial Arts Demonstration and plenty of fireworks to open the New Year! Saturday, February 16th at 10 a.m. on the corner of Baldwin and Makawao Avenues. After the demonstration, the lion will dance through the streets of Makawao!
Chinese New Year at Lahaina Cannery Mall
Saturday, February 16, 2013 – 2:00 to 4:00pm
Lahaina Cannery Mall kicks off Chinese New Year with a display of martial arts mastery, firecrackers and the traditional “feeding of the lions”. This free cultural experience, led by Au’s Shaolin Arts Society, will usher in “The Year of the Snake” for West Maui residents & visitors. The family-friendly event is preceded by a keiki hula performance at 1 p.m.
Chinese New Year Celebration at Queen Ka’ahumanu Center
Sunday, February 17, 2013 – 2:00pm to 5:00pm at Center Court
Lions, firecrackers and martial arts – oh my!
Au’s Shaolin Arts Society visits from Oahu to kick off “The Year of the Snake” with a traditional display of martial arts mastery, firecrackers and the colorful lion dance. Come and get “bit” for good luck in the new year.
