Nagaoka Fireworks Show over Waikiki Beach on 3-4-12 at 8:30pm

[alwysonvac]

The Nagaoka Fireworks from Niigata, Japan will be displayed at the 17th Annual Honolulu Festival to be held March 2-4, 2011.

From the 17th Annual Honolulu Festival-Special Interview
Part 1 - http://www.honolulufestival.com/eng/reports2011/nagaoka01.php
Part 2 - http://www.honolulufestival.com/eng/reports2011/nagaoka02.php

"These fireworks are displayed annually in Nagaoka with the sole purpose of preserving world peace. The Nagaoka Fireworks to be displayed at the Honolulu Festival have a very special meaning. History connects Honolulu and Nagaoka in an unfortunate way. Both cities were tragically afflicted during World War II. The good news is that the two communities were able to turn tragedy into a positive experience.
We are grateful to be able to bring to fruition a project that we have been working for over two years, a display of these special fireworks in Honolulu. All of this is due to the efforts of many special people led. We are happy to have an opportunity to interview Mr. Kazuo Nizawa, vice chairman of the Executive Committee for Developing a Bridge of Friendship between Japan and USA. "

"...The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival is well known for the spectacular "Sanjaku-dama." The diameter of the shell is about one meter (39 inches) and it is shot 600 meters into the sky. I think that the Nagaoka sanjaku-dama is the largest single firework in Japan. But it's not just the mere size that is spectacular but the techniques that are used to create and to shoot up this firework. We have wonderful fireworks specialists that live and work in Nagaoka. And they in turn pass on their trade to their apprentices. This trade is a special tradition of Nagaoka. We are very proud."

"...On the day of the fireworks, we will be shooting from three barges about 300 meters off Waikiki Beach. First, we will shoot shakudama that are 30 centimeters in diameter, three times. This will be done in loving memory of all the people of Honolulu and Nagaoka who lost their lives in past wars. Normally, the largest fireworks shot in Japan at various festivals are about 15 centimeters in diameter. Ours will be double that size. So you can imagine that our fireworks will be grand and magnificent.

This will be continued with 4 displays of Starmine fireworks. I have had the opportunity to view most of the popular firework festivals throughout Japan. The unique feature of the Nagaoka Fireworks is that the fireworks go up in very short interval, there really isn't any wasted time between each shot. We will be using shakudama in the display fireworks portion too. We will be bringing over 100 shakudama from Japan for the Honolulu Festival. "

 

[artringwald]

The Nagaoka Fireworks from Niigata, Japan will be displayed at the 17th Annual Honolulu Festival to be held March 2-4, 2011.

I think you meant March 2-4, 2012. Thanks for the heads up. We were in Waikiki last year for the tsunami, and we'll be there this year for the fireworks. I think I'll like the fireworks better.