Chinese cultural festival in Hawaii attracts thousands

HONOLULU, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- More than 10,000 Hawaiians flocked to a festival here during the weekend for a taste of Chinese food, jewelry and art and handicraft.

Splendor of China 2013, the 11th annual cultural and trade festival, opened Saturday and drew nearly 150 vendors.

The two-day event, organized by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, was aimed at promoting Chinese cultural heritage to the local community.

"It is a good time for citizens in Hawaii to get a glimpse of what China is like," chamber President Betty Hoang Brow told Xinhua.

Kirk Caldewell, mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, said the festival is a sharing of culture, which is important to the city since many generations of Chinese have lived here.

"China is such an important part of our global community today that having a better understanding just helps foster a better and clearer communication," he said.

At the festival, Xinhua set up a gallery of 30 historical photos showing China's educational development since 1949.

The event also kicked off the 65th Narcissus Festival, a celebration with a queen pageant, which ushers in the Chinese New Year.

Since 2003, Splendor of China has become a popular annual event in Honolulu.