The first question you may have is what is Koinobori?
As you may know, Kauai is wonderfully multicultural & the Japanese culture is very prominent in the islands. Koinobori means “carp streamer” in Japanese. They are those beautiful koi carp shaped kits you sometimes see at Japanese events. For Koinobori, they are flown to celebrate Children’s Day, a national holiday. (We wish we had a special holiday in the US just to celebrate our blessed children, but for now we can all participate in Koinobori.)
So why this fish? The koi carp is a powerful swimmer, as well as being beautiful, so it’s a symbol of children growing to be healthy & strong.
Children’s Day is May 5, the last day of the Japanese Golden Week. In Japan, landscapes across the country are decorated with the carp streamers. Here on Kauai we are extending the celebration. From April 16-May 28 there will be an outdoor display of 400 of the colorful windsocks flying throughout the Kapaia Valley.
If you would like to know more about this free event, you can contact the Kapaia Foundation at 639-3606 or kapaiafoundation@gmail.com
