LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Museum is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The museum officially opened in Dec. 3, 1960, after operating as the Kaua‘i Public Library since May 24, 1924. The celebrations kicked off with the annual holiday craft
LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Museum is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
The museum officially opened in Dec. 3, 1960, after operating as the Kaua‘i Public Library since May 24, 1924.
The celebrations kicked off with the annual holiday craft fair, which has been running for 26 years. Chuck Boy Chock was going from booth to booth on Friday, doing a spirited live radio broadcast.
The fair will run only until today, so this is the last day to find many unique Christmas gifts all in one place.
The grinds offered at the fair are pretty ono, so make sure to come with an empty stomach.
The vendors will be offering Hawaiian jewelry, fine prints, clothing, Ni‘ihau-shell lei, kapa, handcrafted bags, unique T-shirts, Christmas ornaments, traditional Hawaiian crafts, baskets, candles, Hawaiian gourmet sauces, jellies and many other things.
The fair runs from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., but the anniversary celebrations will extend throughout the new year.
Chock said some events are already booked.
On April 8, 2011, soprano singer Emma Veary will grace the museum with her interpretation of classical Hawaiian songs. In September, Robert Cazimero and Nina Keali‘iwahamana will showcase their talent there.
Next Wednesday the Kaua‘i County Council will officially acknowledge the museum’s 50th anniversary, at the council chambers in Nawiliwili, at 9 a.m.
The museum is a two-building complex that tells the island’s story, including its progression of geography, natural history, ethnological and historical background.
The private, nonprofit organization is governed by a board of trustees, and receives no support from federal, state or county agencies. Financial support comes from the museum shop, admissions, membership, private donations and grants from local agencies.
The current president of the board of trustees is Hobey Goodale, whose mother, Juliet Rice Wichman, was on of the museum’s founders.
The museum is open Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
On the first Saturday of every month admission is free.
From Tuesday through Friday a free guided tour, starting at 10:30 a.m., explains in detail the history of Kaua‘i.
Go to www.kauaimuseum.org or call 245-6931 for more information.
