Belated Happy Chinese New Year – apparently depending on the calendar that you follow it is currently the year 4710, 4709, or 4649. (It is also referred to as the Lunar New Year.) This year, Chinese New Year was actually on the 23rd of January, but the celebrations here on Maui were delayed until the weekend of the 28th.
Steven and I headed up to Makawao to feed the dancing lions red envelopes with money inside.
Dancing Lion in search of red envelopes
Why, you ask? Well, for good luck and prosperity for the coming year of course.
There were other lion dances and festivities around the island, but Makawao is close to home and I truly love that little town. As usual, on our now weekly outings, we bumped into friends that we haven’t connected with in sometime; and we really enjoyed the festivities. It was a fun day! (Yes, I am having fun!)
Maybe I’ve lived in Hawaii too long, but I’m assuming some of you on the mainland also went to Chinese New Year celebrations. Yes/No?
Chinese New Year has always been big here on the islands. It is the most important of the Chinese holidays and the celebrations last for 15 days, culminating with the Lantern Festival where “sky lanterns” are lit—also in hopes of good fortune and prosperity, and sent floating up into the night sky.
This year is said to be extremely auspicious because it is the year of the dragon. So what exactly does that mean? Well, I am not an expert on Chinese astrology so check out this site, it’ll give you an idea of what to expect in the year of the dragon, http://2012dragon.com/ And this site will give you information about the personalities of those born in the year of the dragon, as well as the other 12 signs. http://www.usbridalguide.com/special/chinesehoroscopes/Dragon.htm
I also want to mention that if you live on Maui or are planning on visiting, make sure you stop by BAKED ON MAUI. They are one of the best bakery/restaurants you’ll find on island.
Baked on Maui - Trish & Kayla
The owner Trish is an amazing baker!!! They are located at 375 West Kuiaha Rd, in Haiku. They are open from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; accept on Sundays they close at 3:00. For more info call them at (808)575.7836, or click here, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Baked-on-Maui/129933167088460
Okay, now that I’ve made that plug…and by the way, it is a very sincere plug, back to Chinese New Year; if you want more info, here are a couple of sites you can check out.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year http://www.infoplease.com/spot/chinesenewyear1.html
For a site with great photos of the New Year celebration in Beijing, click here, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2090516/Happy-Chinese-New-Year-2012-Millions-welcome-Year-Of-The-Dragon.html
And last but not least, for more info on the town of Makawao click on, http://www.makawaotowncenter.com/
See you next week!