PO‘IPU — The first-ever Ho‘okulaia hosted by the Sheraton Kaua‘i and the Kaua‘i Mokihana Festival opened up the week-long Koloa Plantation Days celebration Saturday. Billed as “A Celebration Under the Sun,” the event was a unique partnership between the Po‘ipu
PO‘IPU — The first-ever Ho‘okulaia hosted by the Sheraton Kaua‘i and the Kaua‘i Mokihana Festival opened up the week-long Koloa Plantation Days celebration Saturday.
Billed as “A Celebration Under the Sun,” the event was a unique partnership between the Po‘ipu resort and the Kaua‘i Mokihana Festival, the result being a combination of entertainment, hula, crafts, activities, and local-style food and refreshment on the grounds of the Sheraton Kaua‘i.
Edie Bandman, who normally coordinates the crafters for the hotel, pulled her retailers together as about two dozen crafters offered a variety of goods from lei to fine jewelry with a table featuring Koloa Plantation Days logowear greeting patrons to the garden lobby of the resort.
Kupuna expressed their desire to give back to the community, and a section fronting the food section was set aside for them where uniquely local cultural aspects were being presented, Aunty Jenny Keuma having a full range of implements on hand for the salt-making process, and Aunty Lena Mendonca also having a wide variety of Ni‘ihau shell jewelry where she explained the appraisal process to patrons.
Earl and Lois Stokes captured the attention of youngsters with their rainbow string and the art of story-telling using the rainbow-hued string to create string figures in the saga.
The lower section fronting the Po‘ipu Ballrooms featured more exhibitions including quilters from the upcoming Waimea Outdoor Quilt Exhibition as well as Tahitian drums and musical instruments for the upcoming Heiva Kaua‘i.
Jim Jung was one of the wood carvers doing a totem pole figurine while the Circle of Light hosted a sand painting activity station that fronted another food station featuring local-style snacks such as saimin, pronto pups, and cold drinks.The event, in addition to heralding the start of the week-long celebration, is a departure from the formerly crowded Block Party, some of the Sheraton workers saying they wanted to get away from the contemporary music and beer garden atmosphere to one where they promoted local culture in a more family atmosphere.
The Koloa Plantation Days celebration continues all week and will culminate with the cultural parade Saturday through Old Koloa Town with a ho‘olaule‘a to follow at the Annie Knudsen Park.
Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) and mailto:dfujimoto@pulitzer.net
