E_bionic

Kaze (Wind) Festival

Sunday, June 8, 2008
10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.
Kapiolani Park

ONI YOUZU
BIO KITE

ONI YOUZU

Mishima, in the city of Hagi in Yamaguchi Prefecture, is a small island that floats in the Sea of Japan. In Mishima, when a first-born son arrives, it is an age old custom for family, relatives and friends to come together at the end of that year to make a giant kite the size of six to eight tatami mats (woven straw mats).Then, on a beautiful day during the following New Year’s season, the giant kite is flown in a rice field or off the coast/beach to pray for the child to grow up big and strong.

It is said that the child’s future success (in business) is as good as how high the Oni Youzu is flown.(If the kite flies very high he will become the CEO of a company). Kites often bear pictures of a demon (oni) and therefore the name Oni Youzu was given to these kites.

BIO KITE

Free. Under the blue skies at Kapiolani Park, enjoy Bionic Kite demonstrations & exhibition.

Reference: English http://www.biokiteworld.com/main.html
Japanese http://www.geocities.jp/biokitekids/
http://www.biokite.com/

BioKite: Even small children and wheelchair bound aficionados can launch and fly a kite easily, even in a light breeze. No require any experience.

BIOKITES VS. TYPICAL KITES

BioKite Typical Kite

Shape Free form, must be symmetrical on each side. Fixed form, either triangular or square.

Flying method Lifts immediately; can fly while standing or sitting. Lift off by running against the wind, flies by wind resistnce.

Strength of wind Possible at wind velocities starting at 3.3 mph. Possible with wind velocities between 9.0-22.5 mph.

Height achieved Easy to lift to 2300 ft. Maximum 650 ft.

Thread and reel Requires very thin thread, 0.1mm nylon, for example; easy and fun "fishing" reel can be used in releasing and winding in BioKite. Need heavier thread; due to strong wind force, a reel is not possible to use.

Ascending angle High and upright Low and far

BioKite was attached by a young eagle.