PO‘IPU— A week of Hawaiian culture and entertainment marks the birth of Prince Jonah Kuhio. Sabra Kauka, a Hawaiian Studies instructor and cultural practitioner, was on hand Sunday at the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i’s Anara Spa to kick off the celebration
PO‘IPU— A week of Hawaiian culture and entertainment marks the birth of Prince Jonah Kuhio.
Sabra Kauka, a Hawaiian Studies instructor and cultural practitioner, was on hand Sunday at the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i’s Anara Spa to kick off the celebration with a demonstration on making kapa, or Hawaiian cloth.
She engaged her audience in the actual process as hands grasped large opihi shells and scraped off the outer layer of a wauke branch while she lectured on the history and process of the cloth.
Other activities planned for the week-long celebration include discussions with local residents such as Troy Lazaro of the Marriott Waiohai Beach Club who will discuss the flora and fauna as well as the history of Kau-kahoku and of the Kihaouna Heiau, at 10 a.m. Wednesday.
The public is invited to attend at no charge or a nominal fee due to the sponsorship of the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority and Kaua‘i County.
Lanakila Williard will host a discussion of genealogy at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i.
Lopaka Naka‘ahiki Bukoski will host a discussion and demonstration on kahiko, noting that kahiko is not only the dance, but entails chants and the gathering of plants (kinolau) and the creation of lei. Guests will be involved in the creation of a kupe‘e, or bracelet, as Bukoski shares the Hawaiian culture through chant at the Anara Spa.
Bukoski will end the week with a discussion of lomilomi at 1 p.m. Friday at the Anara Spa.
Lomilomi is a combination of mana, or energy, ha, or breath, pule, or prayer, and pu‘uwai, or heart, and the connection of all of these in one direction — healing. In his discussion, Bukoski will speak of this technique as well as its correlation with ho‘oponopono.
Also on Friday, Momi Dubiano, who teaches ethnobotany in the schools and communities of South Kona, will discuss Hawaiian plants and its medicinal and spiritual uses. This discussion starts at 2:30 p.m. at the Anara Spa.
The evening starts with fashions by Nake‘u Awai, who has been creating fashion and fashion shows with a flair for more than 30 years following his graduation from Kamehameha Schools and the University of Washington.
Following the show, local entertainers Leilani Bond, Ledward Ka‘apana, Mike Ka‘awa and Kaukahi will take the stage.
Saturday opens with protocol and makana as the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i celebrates the birth of Prince Jonah Kuhio. This will be followed by a day-long celebration of entertainment, crafters and cultural demonstrations.
At 10 a.m., the Royal Order of Kamehameha hosts the annual protocol of honoring Prince Kuhio through the offering of ho‘okupu at Prince Kuhio Park on Lawa‘i Road.
Many of these events have limited space available and are subject to change. For more information, call Stella Burgess, director of Hawaiian culture and community relations at the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i, at (808) 240-6369, or visit princekuhio.wetpaint.com.
