Events on Kaua’i and Oahu canceled Two events in the much-anticipated Aloha Festival on Kaua’i have been canceled. One was called off to honor the thousands who died in terrorist hijackings and attacks in Washington, D.C., New York City and
Events on Kaua’i and Oahu canceled
Two events in the much-anticipated Aloha Festival on Kaua’i have been canceled.
One was called off to honor the thousands who died in terrorist hijackings and attacks in Washington, D.C., New York City and Pennsylvania Sept. 11. The other cancellation was because of scheduling conflicts.
The decision not to hold the Kaua’i events coincides with a decision by the Aloha Festivals on O’ahu, the main sponsor of events statewide, to either reschedule, postpone or cancel a handful of events on O’ahu because of the national tragedy, according to Janet Hyrne, executive director of Aloha Festivals.
“We felt it was the right decision to cancel some of the events near the Sept. 11 tragedy,” Hyrne said. “For the most part, all the (other) events are intact.”
The events that are part of Aloha Festivals, a tradition that goes back more than 50 years, are aimed at preserving and celebrating the Hawaiian culture.
On Kaua’i, the Old Koloa Town Merchants canceled the Old Koloa Town event at the Historic County Building in Lihu’e on Oct. 11. The day’s celebration would have included crafts, food and a nighttime block party, said Lei Saito, a representative for the merchants.
Instead, the merchants will make a donation to the American Red Cross to assist families of victims, Saito said.
Because of scheduling problems, Kaua’i Village canceled the seventh annual Kaua’i Village Ho’olaule’a (celebration) at Kaua’i Village Shopping Village Oct. 14, according to Wade Lord, manager of the shopping complex.
Lord said the dates for the festival were changed this year without advising Kaua’i Village. The change puts the Kaua’i Village event outside the “closing date” for Aloha Festivals on Kaua’i, he said.
Lord complained that another event on Kaua’i with the same name was to be held during the Aloha Festivals celebration.
He said nobody responded to a request to have the Kaua’i’ Royal Court present at the Kaua’i Village event. He also said promotion of the shopping center event was poor.
Other five Kaua’i events that will go on as scheduled include a lu’au, Oct. 4, Aloha Festivals Ho’olaule’a Oct. 5, the Grand Celebration Oct. 12, and the 2001 Royal Ball at the Radisson Hotel Oct. 13.
Wallace Punua, coordinator of the Aloha Festivals events on Kaua’i, said the ball, done in conjunction with Kaua’i County, will feature the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival winner Hula Halau O Ka Ua Kani Lehua, under the direction of Kumu Hula Johnny Lum Ho, Rohotu Polynesian Dancers, and the award-winning Kaua’i High School Jazz Ensemble, which will be garbed in formal ethnic attire.
Tickets can be bought at Punua Insurance in Lihu’e, Hanalei Surf Co., Larry’s Music in Kapa’a, Progressive Expressions in Koloa and Waimea Plantation Cottages.
Aloha Festivals was created in 1946 as Aloha Week, a celebration of Hawaii’s culture, music, dance and history.
The Jaycees Old-Timers of Hawai’i created a public celebration to honor Hawaii’s cosmopolitan heritage. Over the past 50 years, Aloha Festivals have encompassed 300 events on six islands spanning a two-month period.
Staff writer Lester Chang can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) and mailto:lchang@pulitzer.net
