Polynesians settled the Hawaiian islands around 700. Europeans found the place in the seventeen- and eighteen-hundreds, and starting around the mid-nineteen century, thousands of Asians, primarily from Japan and China, came to Hawaii.
Each culture brought their homeland religions with them, and though a US state, Hawaii is where the proverbial "east" meets "west." Here, Chinese New Year's is just like January 1st, so if you're around town from the middle of January through early February, you're bound to be surprised that it's New Year's all over again.
Year of the Rooster
The Western calendar is based on the sun, while the Asian yearly cycle is based on the moon (lunar new year), which is why, while both New Year's fall close to each other, they are usually off by a few weeks. It's the same thing that causes Easters to wander each year as a "moveable feast."
The Western year 2003 was the Year of the Goat, and started on Feb 1. The year of the Monkey starts 9 February 2005, and in the Asian calendar it's the year 4702.
New Year's in Hawaii
In Hawaii there are two New Year's every year. The Western one, on January 1st, and the Asian one about two or three weeks later. Each is celebrated in their own way and both are great times with fireworks, family celebrations, and public events all around the islands.
In Honolulu there's a Night in Chinatown Festival with food, arts and crafts, song and dance, souveniers, ceremonies and demonstrations of all kinds throughout the area. Just check out Maunakea Street (Beretania to King sts.), Bethel (Smith to River sts.), and Hotel Street (Smith and River).
Honolulu Dragon Dance
Honolulu's Chinatown is the center of celebrations with the traditional Chinese Lion/Dragon Dance, which is a blessing to show joy and happiness for the coming New Year. They help chase away evil and symbolize wealth, luck, and long life.
The dance is done by teams of dancers carrying their paper lion or dragon over their heads as they dance down the street, warding off the "nien." Once, a real lion scared the nien away, but the next year he was away guarding the emperor, so the people improvised this lion dancee and scared away the bad spirits for another year.
The New Year's Parade kicks off on Hotel Street at the State Capitol and winds on over to River Street, and is a great chance to experience Hawaii's Chinese and Asian heritage.
Fireworks
The Chinese invented gunpowder and fireworks around AD 1000, and they've been used ever since to ward off evil spirits. Naturally, everyone wants a good start on New Year's, so everyone and his brother will be lighting firecrackers to help you have a really terrific and lucky new year.
Lately, Hawaii has been trying to get a handle on fireworks. Fire Departments and doctors would like to keep them off the street, but all politicans have been able to do is make a permit system that works out to a $25 permit for each 5000 crackers.
In any case, be prepared for lots of fireworks.
12 Years: Chinese Zodiac
It's the year of the monkey because the Asian or Chinese calendar has a 12 year zodiac cycle with each year dominated by the character of a certain animal, and your birth year has great cultural significance because it's thought that the animal of your birth year hides in your heart.
The cycle started with Emperor Huang Ti in 2600 BC, and the 12 year cycle is:
Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Ram/Goat/Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig/Boar.
Because 2004 is the year of the monkey, the year is expected to be as selfish and vain, and as inventive and charming as a monkey. And don't expect the 2004 monkey to leave much for the Rooster in 2005: It's not in his character.
You can find out where in the Chinese zodiac your birth year is by just checking here. Years from 24 to 99 are 1900's. The others are 2000's.
Rat 24 36 48 60 72 84 96 :: Ox 25 37 49 61 73 85 97 :: Tiger 26 38 50 62 74 86 98 :: Rabbit 27 39 51 63 75 87 99 :: Dragon 28 40 52 64 76 88 00 :: Snake 29 41 53 65 77 89 01 :: Horse 30 42 54 66 78 90 02 :: Sheep 31 43 55 67 79 91 03 :: Monkey 32 44 56 68 80 92 04 :: Rooster 33 45 57 69 81 93 05 :: Dog 34 46 58 70 82 94 06 :: Boar 35 47 59 71 83 95 07
Hmm, I guess that means that I'll always see life through these rose-colored glasses of mine.
