Arashi “Storms” Hawaii

Sorry for the redundancy in the title, I can’t help it.

As reported,

Last Sept 19th (Hawaii, US time;Sept 20 in Japan), popular group Arashi celebrated their 15 years anniversary of debut live from Ko Olina resort in Hawaii, USA. The group have fond memories of Hawaii as they debuted in Waikiki aboard a luxury liner last Sept 1999.

A “storm” of excitement arises with the upscale resort at the background that can be reach 50 minutes by car inside of Honolulu. 150 bus units with Arashi’s logo brought fans to and from the venue that includes Japanese fans. The streets of Oahu, particularly along Kalakaua Ave., was lined with 113 Arashi flags and some fans shared that those in immigration bureau would ask them if they are in Hawaii for Arashi concert upon their arrival. A local paper reported that their arrival brought Hawaii US$20.7 million in economic revenue.

Arashi arrived via helicopter that left 15,000 audiences stunned. Ninomiya Kazunari shouted, “the storm has arrived!”, and charmed the audience in quick succession with their hit songs, which includes their debut song, “A · RA · SHI“. The group also performed with a local Hawaiian band with the setting sun as the backdrop.

Fans stirred with admiration for Arashi as they have gone a long a way, overcoming hurdles as 5-members, and now they are a group who represents Japan. Arashi’s leader, Ohno Satoshi said that even though there was sad feeling 15 yrs ago, he can no longer feel that [sad feeling] from that time. Sakurai Sho added, “With pride and affection, I was able to return with  Arashi on the Hawaiian ground”. “Thank you members, these five people are impressive,” Matsumoto Jun said with deep emotion as the rest starts crying.

(c) ありんこ @ARincoS04

A special stage was set-up for the venue that is twice the size of Tokyo Dome. Transported from Japan via sea are 16 container vans for stage equipment as well as 20 tons worth of equipment transferred by air. The stage measures 50 meters together with a 57 meters runway. 400 fireworks were used and Arashi moves in between the audience with the moving stage, a large-scale production that is no different in Japan.

Also present to cheer them on are their kouhais, Kanjani8’s Okura Tadayoshi and KAT-TUN’s Kamenashi Kazuya who watched them live.

Arashi “BLAST in HAWAII” will continue until the 20th (Hawaii, US time) and will mobilized 30,000 people.  Leaving tears and a beautiful strong impact, Arashi has created a new legend in Hawaii performances that prompted the Governor of Hawaii, Neil Abercrombie, to enact Sept 19th as “ARASHI DAY“.

via Sanspo 1 , 2 , 3 and Sponichi Annex  1 and 2

I’m still sobbing like a proud mama for Arashi’s achievement, sobbing that I wasn’t there, and sobbing that JE might not released a DVD if those fancams/fanvids/papa pics won’t be deleted, if that’s true.