Maui Obon Festival

One of the reasons I am grateful to be back in Hawaii is that we are with/nearby our family. Another reason I love being back is that we are closer to our cultural roots! Aaron is Hawaiian-Chinese-Irish, possibly with a little Maori (New Zealand) and I am full Okinawan.
My parents are learning so much about our heritage it is really inspiring. We now have a new family tradition. We are trying to make it back to Maui each year in August to celebrate the Okinawan Obon Festival. My parents are involved with the music for the festival - they are learning how to play the sanshin, which is similar to the Japanese shamisen and often likened to a banjo, but it is a traditional Okinawan instrument. Here are some of my favorite pictures from when we went to the festival this year. My parents completely spoiled the kids. My dad made it really special for them by setting up a wading pool, tent and surprised them with lights in the tree house. They loved playing in the sand, with their googles and flashlights, picking and eating their own mangoes. : )

Here is a slideshow with highlights from our trip. Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa Maui (as the kids call them)!