LIHU‘E — The tsunami was totally unexpected, and the tears that resulted at Holomua 2010 were also totally unexpected. Todd Brooks of Kalaheo, who helped organize the Holomua 2010 event paying tribute to the trucking industry on Kaua‘i, helped secure
LIHU‘E — The tsunami was totally unexpected, and the tears that resulted at Holomua 2010 were also totally unexpected.
Todd Brooks of Kalaheo, who helped organize the Holomua 2010 event paying tribute to the trucking industry on Kaua‘i, helped secure a contribution from Jerrie Louis of J&R Equipment to compensate for the lack of people due to the tsunami warning that kept people secure in their homes.
“People couldn’t help it,” Louis said. “But hopefully, this will help make up for the people who didn’t come.”
Louis’ contribution of $1,500 to organizers from the Punana Leo o Kaua‘i generated tears of gratitude as the staff came over to personally thank the operator who had a long stick crane on display, its bucket extending well beyond the cab of the Kenworth transport.
“They’re the only contractor besides the state and county to have one of these,” Brooks said.
Leina‘ala Rivera, kumu kako‘o, or assistant teacher, at Punana Leo, said the idea for Holomua 2010 came from the Punana Leo on Maui which hosted a similar event which proved successful.
Brooks, upon hearing of the plans, jumped into the mix with his experience of organizing the first truck and big-rig show at Vidinha Stadium.
Lei Rapozo said despite the trepidation of a tsunami, the event was a success.
“Punana Leo o Kaua‘i wanted to highlight the beautiful cars, trucks and motorcycles of the trucking industry and the automobile enthusiasts who are excited to share their vehicles, many one-of-a-kind, with the public,” Rapozo said in an e-mail.
Rivera said the show is part of the Punana Leo vision of community, family and the perpetuation of the Hawaiian language.
In 1896, the Hawaiian language was banned in all public and private schools in Hawai‘i, favoring English as the medium for learning, states a release from Punana Leo. Teachers and students were both persecuted and harshly punished for their use of the Hawaiian language in or around all schools.
This changed in 1983 when a group of teachers challenged the old laws and successfully overturned the laws, effectively abolishing the ban on Hawaiian-language education in Hawai‘i schools.
Following the opening of the first Punana Leo preschool in Kekaha in 1984, the Punana Leo preschools provide a “language nest” in which the Hawaiian language and culture preservation are key factors in the education of keiki.
“Punana Leo” means “language nest” in Hawaiian.
“Hawaiian language is spoken at this event,” Rivera said. “For those non-Hawaiian speaking, they get a sheet with key words on it so they can follow along when the keiki announce winners of the lucky numbers in Hawaiian.”
Premiums for the drawings came from throughout the community, Rivera said.
Harvey Maeda, who recently coordinated a Back to the ‘50s show at the Aston Kaua‘i Beach at Maka‘iwa, roused some of the Kaua‘i Classic Cars membership for the show, one member talking about the tsunami that wiped out a Wainiha bridge when he was in elementary school.
Also on hand, Harold and Paula Rosa, winners of last week’s motorcycle show in Waimea, brought out a contingent of motorcycle riders.
Timmy Lopez, along with his family, said it was a good thing the drag races were cancelled, enabling him to bring along not only a big rig, but his dragster as well, describing the trip from the Westside through Hanapepe and Kalaheo.
The County of Kaua‘i Department of Public Works, despite being busy with the tsunami warning, had a crew and its new automated trash pickup truck as well as a Peterbilt low boy and a big bucket out in support of Punana Leo.
“There would have been a lot more people displaying, but with the roads shut down, they just couldn’t get here,” Brooks said. “If there was no tsunami, this parking lot would be filled.”
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
