Kapaka-Arboleda to be celebrated

ANAHOLA — The late LaFrance Keahikuni Kapaka-Arboleda will be celebrated during the Second Anahola Prince Kuhio Day celebration, Mar. 31 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Anahola Beach Park.

Sponsored by the County of Kaua‘i and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Ka Hale Pono will be hosting the event honoring Kapaka-Arboleda, an individual whom Ka Hale Pono described as truly exemplifying the qualities of Prince Kuhio.

“She was a leader, a wonderful steward, a promoter of education, a strong advocate for her Native Hawaiian ‘ohana and a caring mentor,” Ka Hale Pono’s announcement states. “Her legacy lives in all those she touched — her people, the communities, her state — as did Prince Kuhio.”

Ka Hale Pono recently was awarded a $7,000 ‘Ahahui Community Event Grant from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs in support of the Anahola Prince Kuhio Day Celebration.

OHA’s support of this event will allow the Anahola community to continue to share the vision, stewardship, and benefits of Prince Jonah Kalaniana‘ole and will impact the growth of a healthy Hawaiian community, the release states.

During the first Anahola Prince Kuhio Day celebration, 24 Anahola residents who volunteered their time and resources to take care of Anahola Beach Park were honored, the culimination of an effort by community groups and organizations on the island who worked together to clean, beautify and maintain the park.

The first celebration was significant in terms of rising from the ashes with the loss of three ‘opio to suicide and working together as a Hawaiian community to plan, share and celebrate life with residents and visitors, the release states.

Contact khpono@gmail.com for more information.

• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.