Splendor of China Expo

The Splendor of China Expo I thought was something entirely different. Like really different. With that in mind, I was here twice on Saturday, 11÷2÷2013 and 11÷3÷2013, just because I wanted to check out what it is and to kill time on the 1^st day. The second day was to take photos because I didn’t on the first day. The first impressions I thought it would be was that of a musical or a play, and not just a mass expo filled with various Chinese organizations on Oahu. It really did feel like the Great Aloha Run expo, to be honest and I’m glad that the admission WAS FREE! I don’t think I would have gone in if they charged admission. They do have concession stands within the expo for food and drink, as well as a few vendor merchants, who were selling various items. While I did not partake in the food orgy, it was very much entertaining to catch the fashion show on day 2 and took photos of that.
The Splendor of China Expo was held at the Neal Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. On Saturday, 11/​2, I was here for the AFL All Star Football Game, which was held in the arena side of the Neal Blaisdell Center, but saw that the Splendor of China was next door at the exhibition hall. I arrived an hour before, so I had time to kill, but didn’t take photos at the time. I was frustrated with myself, so I took the time to go back and see it again on Day 2. Majority of the vendors /​exhibitors were organic Chinese organizations in and around urban Honolulu. A lot of these organizations I haven’t heard about, since I just do my own thing and not really identify with my Chinese heritage since high school — only by physical features only. I’m glad to see that the Chinese community is alive and well here in Honolulu, apart from the hustle and bustle of Chinatown a couple of miles away. I saw a few exhibitors who wrote calligraphy, while others were just community groups whom were there to promote togetherness and community.
Yes, it really did feel like I was going to the Great Aloha Run Expo, but with a very much heavy Chinese theme to it. It was interesting to see a vendor selling iPhone otterbox cases. I was tempted to buy one myself, but was hesitant. Still, I saw a larger than life blow up sized Panda near the main stage. The fashion show happened at 2pm on Sunday. It was cool to see that, especially when you see random hot women and men strut around like they’re pretty bad ass for 15 minutes and the designer came out thereafter, and everyone gave applause. I didn’t stay long both days, since I had other stuff to do, but it was an experience to say to check things out and to be able to say that I have seen this. Thank god it was FREE though. I’m glad that the Mun Lun Chinese Language School is still there, molding young minds. I guess I can re-​learn Chinese again, but there’s so much other stuff out there to do.
For all it was worth, it was an hour well spent rediscovering my roots and just being reconnected with the Chinese community. While I don’t ideally identify with my heritage, it was nice to be reminded where I come from and all the years growing up and around the culture that’s so prevalent around the world. With Chinatowns in and around a lot of cities around the United States (large and small), it’s nice to know that the Chinese community is thriving. Whether its in small communities and towns or en mass, it’s here to stay and it’s pretty cool. My overall experience here at the Splendor of China was a mixed bag, but it was nice to revisit my heritage, as mentioned before. A dose of reality never hurt anyone — hard. Happy to have experienced it and probably will be back, if it continues to be void of admission fees. That’s almost always a deal maker or breaker.
Support local!
B

Went on Sunday since me being Chinese can’t pass up a free deal. There were many stalls selling all the cheap made in China stuff that you would see at the swap meet. Glad they changed it to free admission I remember paying to go in years ago. Lots of food choices so you won’t go hungry. Note to the guys who had the booth with the potstickers… it was stone hard cold, yuck! 3/​$ 1 was not worth it. Thank goodness I didn’t get a tummy ache otherwise I would be pissed.
Several booths had small portions of samples for you to try which was nice. Saw a bit of the fashion show not bad. Lots of things to take pictures of but I got lazy lol.

I like these types of events. It’s free to enter for everyone which is always a plus. They had a lot of different booths set up. Bank of Hawaii were giving out free popcorn with the option of li hing mui powder. They also had free giveaways to both Vegas & China. The photo booths were cool. You could take pictures of the Great Wall background or another background of a famous bridge in China and another picture taking display where you could wear a Panda head and snap away. They had a performance stage where they hosted a talent show.
This marks the 11^th annual of the Chinese festival. I would attend to this event again next year.