after a 3 years due to Covid, the 2022 Hawaii Okinawan Festival was back! i was so excited because this is the closest i can feel to Okinawa right now.
there where thousands of people there, mostly Okinawans that live in Hawaii. you could feel the mensore spirit and the pride of being Okinawa in the air.
this surfer girl Honoka played ukulele at a Okinawan Festival in Hawaii 10 years ago. Begin was there and saw her playing so they invited her to be the opening for their concert in Okinawa. she formed a bond with Okinawa and Begin so that’s why she chose to sing their song “Sanshin no Hana.”
check out this video of Begin singing “Sanshin no Hana.” read the lyrics and the meaning of this song. i understand why my friend was crying next to me, and i know why this song is so special. i listened to it 10 times this morning and couldn’t stop thinking about my Grandpa. every time i go to karaoke in Japan with my friends, someone is singing this song. usually Kimura-san. that’s why this song reminds me of the good times we had in Okinawa. most i can’t remember, but this song i clearly remember when i went to the Begin concert in Okinawa City and almost blacked out because i was too happy. my friends had to carry me to the car after that concert. haha…
