Sue Irvine, of Hilo, left, swings a mallet to pound sweet steamed rice into mochi as Brad Kurokawa wets his hands between turning the hot rice dough. Kurokawa has to be quick and in sync with Irvine so his hand isn't turning the dough when the mallet hits it. (Photos and video by Baron Sekiya/Hawaii247.com)
The crowd gathers to watch the 11th Annual mochi pounding event held by the Wailea Community Association in Hakalau. Rice steams in wooden boxes, right, in preparation of more mochi making.
Wailea Village’s 11th annual mochi-tsuki celebration in making traditional rice cakes the “old-fashioned” way. The old-timers shared their stories of plantation era times and everyone took their turn at pounding the glutinous sticky rice for good luck.
Aloha Baron,
Mahalo for taking the time to videotape and capture this tradition at Akiko’s Bed and Breakfast. Everyone was having a good time and embracing the Spirit of Aloha and the blessing of Good Luck that embrace the blessing of pounding the sticky rice.
May Ke Akua shower you and your family with the best of the New Year. Hau`oli Makahiki Hou
Me ke aloha pumehana
Cindi