Akiko’s Mochi Pounding. Courtesy image from Akiko’s B & B.
Akiko’s Bed & Breakfast will hold its 20th Annual Traditional Mochi (rice cake) Pounding for Good Luck in celebration of the new year on Saturday, Dec. 30, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The popular public event will be held at Akiko’s Buddhist Bed & Breakfast located at mile marker 15 on Highway 19.
Last year, more than 600 people attended the event to pound mochi. The event originally began as a small neighborhood gathering of 23 people. Now a tradition, the event offers locals and visitors alike a chance to make rice cakes the traditional way. All attendees will take turns at pounding the glutinous sticky rice.
The fire will be built starting at 6:30 a.m. to steam the rice. Hearty local style lunches will be available for $5. The event will also include crafts, calligraphy, New Year’s kadomatsu (bamboo arrangement), fortune telling, I Ching readings, massage, prayers and blessing. There will also be live entertainment with rhythm and blues by Lito Archangel and Jerry Mirels; jazz by Leonard Kubo and Louanne Gurney; and Okinawan taiko drumming at noon.
This comments section is a public community forum for the purpose of free expression. Although Big Island Now encourages respectful communication only, some content may be considered offensive. Please view at your own discretion. View Comments
