Japanese royals touch down in Hawaii

[Coventina]

Source: AFP

HONOLULU, Hawaii (AFP) — Hundreds of flag-waving well-wishers thronged a famous Hawaiian park as Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko arrived on the final leg of their North American tour.

The Japanese royals delighted crowds who turned out for their appearance at Waikiki's Kapiolani Park, shortly after their arrival here from Canada, the last stop of their 15-day trip.

Spectators -- Japanese nationals, tourists and local residents -- waved paper Japanese flags and cheered as the royal motorcade rolled into the park.

The 75-year-old emperor and 74-year-old empress waved to the crowd and spoke with guests for about 30 minutes before departing.



Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5i3G3c-X6mPLfOYtt9AqFjSDCRnvw

[AsahinaKimi]

1. Sweet!

Hawaii has a large Japanese American community. Some 200,000 residents, about 16 percent, are of Japanese ancestry, according to the US Census Bureau.

Knew it was large, but didn't know the numbers. Thanks for posting this. I wish we had more residents here but many have moved down to places like San Jose and Los Angeles. I often wonder if they had ever visited my city, since we have the largest Nihonmachi, ~Japantown in the USA?

[amandabeech]

2. That's quite a hat on Empress Michiko!

I wonder how Queen Elizabeth would look in that.

QE has some interesting hats, but I think that EM has her beat!

[Aristus]

3. The famously long-lived Japanese have had only three emperors in the last century.

That's a durable monarchy...

[KamaAina]

4. I figure at some point they'll wind up screwing up my commute

just like when Bush** used to come here. Hopefully they won't get a motorcycle cop killed like he did. :eyes: