Music strengthens sister city bond with Whitby

LIHU‘E — Music served to close the bond between the sister city relationship of Kaua‘i and its Whitby, England sister city, Friday.

Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. called on the talents of county staff and employees to offer a kanikapila style musical offering in exchange for the performance offered by world champion bagpipe player Jori Chisholm.

Dave Walker said Chisholm and his ‘ohana were here to participate in both the Friday afternoon offering of Celtic music at Hofgaard Park in Waimea and the annual Burns Supper hosted by the Rotary Club of West Kaua‘i, Saturday at the Waimea Plantation Gardens.

The sister city relationship with Whitby, England was forged in 1987 because of the link centering around Whitby being the home port of Capt. James Cook.

Willie Cummings and his wife were joined by Paul Togioka, award-winning slack key guitar artist, in offering the Hawaiian kanikapila while Jade Waialeale and Debbie Ponce did the honors with hula, including one performed by Waialeale when Carvalho rendered a tune about the tradewinds.

Joining the mayor’s office, Kaua‘i County Council Chair Jay Furfaro also joined in hosting the visiting sister city guests.

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