LIHU‘E — “They love to dance,” said Kaui Tanaka of the mayor’s office, Tuesday.
With the melodic tunes of the Lihu‘e Senior ‘Ukulele Band providing the setting with its offering of Hawaiian music, both traditional and contemporary, couples from the 15-member visiting contingent of Friendship Force from Zutphen, Netherlands, would blossom into dance as the musicians played.
“It’s the ‘Holland hula,’” one member of the Lihu‘e ‘ukulele band shouted out.
The impromptu dance broke out while Friendship Force representatives from Kaua‘i and Holland were waiting on Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr., who had a Friendship Force International Day proclamation celebrating the visit of the group.
“They had other stops planned for their trip, but the Icelandic volcano changed everything so now, they are here and will visit Maui before going home,” said Bonnie Tiffany, the president of the Kaua‘i Friendship Force club.
During the visiting group’s week-long stay, members are staying with Kaua‘i Friendship Force members in homes from Hanalei to Kalaheo.
Friendship Force clubs are found in more than 350 communities on six continents, led by volunteers who promote global understanding and goodwill among people, states the Friendship Force International Day proclamation.
The original concept of Friendship Force International was that clubs throughout the world would exchange home-hosted visits and members who traveled with the program became known as goodwill ambassadors for their county.
Jon de Bant, president of the visiting Friendship Force Club from Zutphen, did not hesitate in pulling out a plastic bag containing Dutch klompen, or wooden clogs, which were presented to Carvalho on his arrival.
“I think I’ll keep them in my office, and maybe one day, I’ll get small enough to fit them,” Carvalho said after unsuccessfully trying to fit into the clogs.
The Friendship Force International program affords ambassadors and hosts alike an opportunity to extend the hand of friendship and connect with people from different countries on a personal level — sharing their home, meals and everyday experiences that provide an opportunity for mutual respect and appreciation of the world’s diverse cultures, the proclamation states.
“Welcome to our island,” Carvalho said. “While here, I hope you will enjoy our scenery and food. And you will discover what makes our island so special — our people.”
Tanaka was thrilled with the arrival of the Zutphen visitors, noting that their stay coincides with the unique Hawaiian cultural tradition of May Day, both at the Kaua‘i Museum Lei Day Contest and at the Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club’s day-long celebration.
Friendship Force International was chartered in 1984, and hosts one to two international exchanges each year.
“We’re always looking to expand,” Tiffany said, noting the Kaua‘i Friendship Force membership numbers about 30.
The vision of Friendship Force International is that each individual will make a contribution to global goodwill, overcome differences among people and nations by connecting the world, one friend at a time, and create a world of friends that becomes a world of peace, the proclamation states.
Carvalho then lead the charge by borrowing an ‘ukulele from the band and leading the international group in “You Are My Sunshine.”
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