New Years Celebration by Macario

People have steamed and pounded sticky rice to form rice cakes called mochi for centuries, and the Japanese New Year's tradition continues into the 21st century in the tiny Big Island village of Wailea.

The annual New Year's event at Wailea is all about community, honoring elders, and respecting and remembering tradition. In addition to mochi pounding, there is Taiko drumming, an award for exceptional community service, Japanese calligraphy and chicken hekka.

Akiko, of Akiko's Buddhist Bed and Breakfast in Wailea, is one of the many faces of mochi pounding there. She put together a mochi pounding in Wailea 11 years ago, when neighborhood kupuna (elders), came and lent their bamboo steamers, their usu (traditional mortar), their yards and their knowledge of the old ways.

Twenty three people participated that year. More than a decade later, the event has been covered nationally and crowds fill the usually sleepy street.

Tradition carries on.

Macario resides on the Big Island's Hamakua coast. For three decades he has photographed subjects ranging from architecture to fine art, portraits and culinary arts. One specialty is photographing Hawai‘i and its people. His work appears in magazines and books, on websites, in museums and galleries and in private collections.

For more information on Akiko's Bed and Breakfast, as well as for information on retreats, upcoming art exhibits, and other activities, visit www.alternative-hawaii.com/akiko.