Saturday Briefing

By Conchita Malaqui, Ethan Chang, and Gay Shinbara

Chinese New Year is celebrated around the world and even more so, here in Hawaii.  Its purpose is to honor Heaven and Earth, family ancestors and gods, and to bring good luck for the coming year. This year, there will be a variety of events happening at the Outrigger Reef, Wyndham Waikiki Beach Walk, Embassy Suites® - Waikiki Beach Walk®, Waikiki Beach Walk®, and the Outrigger Waikiki, to welcome Year of the Tiger.

Celebrating the Chinese New Year last year with a traditional Lion Dance at Waikiki Beach Walk

One of the most recognizable dances to celebrate Chinese New Year is the Lion Dance. There are many ancient legends in Chinese folklore that recount the origins of the Lion Dance. One popular tale comes from Southern China’s Kwangtung province: “A savage beast would appear once a year to terrorize a small village. A visiting monk, having witnessed the terror, instructed the villagers to build a ‘monster’ to scare off the menace. They fashioned a large head from bamboo, covered in bright paper, and a body was sewn together from long pieces of cloth. They also filled bamboo shoots with gunpowder. When the New Year arrived, the beast returned to terrorize the villagers but was greeted by the ‘monster’ manned by two of their best martial artists. These ‘dancers’ started scuffling about, bringing the bamboo and paper construction to life, while the villagers banged on pots and pans and threw their homemade firecrackers. The frightened beast scurried away, never to return again. Hence a creature was constructed each New Year’s Eve, as a way of bidding farewell to the old year and to welcome in the new. Over time, it became an animal that is believed to bring good fortune and blessings, while chasing away bad luck.”

Mark your calendars for these exciting Chinese New Year celebrations:

Outrigger Reef, February 13
3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Andy Chan from Island Jewelry is sponsoring an exciting Pole Jumping “Jong” Lion Dance and Lion Blessing by the Chinese Lion Dance Association.

Waikiki Beach Walk® and Wyndham Vacation Ownership
5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The Lung Kong Physical Culture Club Lion will perform a traditional Lion Dance beginning at the Wyndham Waikiki Beach Walk Lobby, traversing through the shops, and restaurants at Waikiki Beach Walk, to the Embassy Suites - Waikiki Beach Walk Lobby, and then to the Grand Lanai for a final Lion Blessing.

Embassy Suites® - Waikiki Beach Walk, February 13
8 p.m.
Moonlight Movie - Enjoy a free showing of the sweet romantic-comedy “The Proposal” poolside on Saturday, February 13, 2010, at 8 p.m. Guests may watch this popular motion picture under the stars from inside the heated swimming pool on floating rafts or while enjoying cocktails and snacks on one of the resort’s chaise lounges. The movie (titles and show times subject to change) will be shown on a screen of grand proportion, 10 feet by 14 feet in size, on the resort’s Grand Lanai. Limited space is available, so be sure to arrive early to secure a spot.

Outrigger Waikiki, February 20
9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
The Kong’s Siu Lum Pai Kung Fu Association will be conducting their annual Lion Dance celebration throughout the lobby and entrance to property. A food tasting, featuring traditional Chinese delicacies, will be one of the highlights of the event. Guests will learn the art of making Chinese Lanterns and children’s toys from members of the ‘ohana.