Colorado Halau spreading aloha on Kauai

Visiting members of the Pacific Pride & Island Hearts halau from Colorado Springs, Colo. are on a goodwill visit to Kauai.

The halau is headed up by kumu hula Eileen Quinto, and will be on island until July 2 performing at various locations.

For many of the halau members, who range in age from two to 26, the dream of visiting Hawaii became a reality through the efforts of Rod Lau, director of sales at the Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club.

According to Rich Wong, the halau’s director, visiting the Hawaiian Islands has been a long-time dream of the halau’s performers so they could visit the place where the dance they have been practicing for seven years originated.

Lau secured the help of Simon Jongert, the resort’s general manager, and solicited the support of the many associates in the hotel who provided assistance with accommodations and suggestions of a possible itinerary of performances for the week-long stay here.

Jongert said the opportunity to help these students visit Kauai while broadening their horizons about the dance and culture of Hawaii from the source is what visit is all about.

While here, the halau is scheduled to perform for the Kauai Senior Lihue Center this morning at 10 a.m., the Kapaa Senior Center on Thursday at 10 a.m., at the Ching Young Village center stage in Hanalei on Saturday at 6 p.m., and at Kukui Grove Center Friday at 7 p.m., and again on Sunday at 1 p.m.

The group is to dance on the grounds of the Kauai Marriott, at the Kalapaki Grill, on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday afternoons starting at 3 p.m.

Pacific Pride & Island Hearts is a non-profit organization that promotes unity among cultures through dance, music, and public education activities.

Back at home, they are also spreading the aloha spirit. The mayor of Colorado Springs signed a proclamation declaring May 1 as Lei Day.

The halau has also performed in Denver and Wyoming.