Mochi Pounding

Every year Tai would stay with us for Christmas and fly out to Kauaʻi after to spend New Years with his family. The big event of his trip home is their annual mochi pounding. This past year, we decided that since we wouldn't have to pay for Hanu, that we would all make the trip. Always exciting to experience something new. And an experience it was. Always fun with the Nonakas.

Mochi rice being steamed.

Putting the steamed rice in the usu.

The mochi pounding hammers made out of hau.

The initial smashing of the rice before pounding.

Uncle Harry and Tai pounding mochi.

Uncle Allan and Uncle Clifford's turn.

The women making the balls.

Many different fillings: chocolate, peanut butter, cookie butter...

Dusting off the excess powder.

Cooling station.

Hanu making Grandpa exercise.

Grab bags!

The cousins watching a movie.