Celebrated as Ke Ali‘i Maka‘ainana (Prince of the People), Prince Jonah Kuhio was in line for succession of the Kingdom of Hawai‘i when it was overthrown in 1893. He later became a politician to the Territory of Hawai‘i and served
Celebrated as Ke Ali‘i Maka‘ainana (Prince of the People), Prince Jonah Kuhio was in line for succession of the Kingdom of Hawai‘i when it was overthrown in 1893. He later became a politician to the Territory of Hawai‘i and served as a delegate in the U.S. Congress.
Kuhio’s birthday, March 26, is celebrated as a state holiday, and the island hosts two week’s worth of events in the Po‘ipu area, where Kuhio was born. There will be hula, arts and crafts, cultural demonstrations, live music, long-distance canoe racing, taiko drumming and more.
Visit www.princekuhio.net for more details. Events are subject to change.
Today
PRINCE KUHIO RODEO — 2 p.m., CJM Stables. The American West Kaua‘i Rodeo Association hosts this exciting event. See barrel racing among open, senior and youth divisions. Rodeos and horseback riding have long been a tradition in Hawai‘i, since the early days of the plantation era. Pony rides will be available for keiki. Open to the public at no charge. For more information, call Nancy McMahon at 639-6695 or email to poipunan@me.com. Stables are located at the eastern end of the Po‘ipu area (travel 1.5 miles past the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa).
WISDOM OF THE KUPUNA — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., National Tropical Botanical Garden. Mele Brewer presents this event, where kupuna (Hawaiian elders) will discuss how ‘Olelo No’eau (Hawaiian proverbs) apply to modern day times. Open to the public at no charge. The gardens are located at 4425 Lawa‘i Road in Koloa, across from Spouting Horn. 742-2433.
Monday
PA‘AKAI — 9:30 a.m., Salt Pond Beach Park in Hanapepe. Celebrate the art and culture of Hawaiian salt making with the Kahalekomo ‘ohana. If you are touring on the Westside of the island, stop by Salt Pond Park at Puolo Point in Hanapepe (east side of the park) and visit with ‘Anake (Aunty) Janet Kahalekomo and her ‘ohana (family) as they share their history and knowledge of cultivating Kaua‘i’s red salt, a prized product among cooks and local families on Kaua‘i. Open to the public at no charge. For more information, contact Stella Burgess at stella.burgess@hyatt.com or call 240-6369.
Tuesday
A ROYAL DINNER — 5:30 to 9 p.m., Plantation Gardens Restaurant. Enjoy an array of specialty dishes at this well-known eatery or savor a multi-course menu offering traditional Native Hawaiian foods assembled in extraordinary combinations. Delight in the surroundings of this old plantation-style home surrounded by exotic orchid and cactus gardens. Wear your best Hawaiian-style clothing. Be serenaded by our local musicians. Call 742-2121 for reservations and information.
Wednesday
TALK STORY — 10 a.m., Marriott Waiohai Beach Club lobby. Talk Story about Kaua‘i’s South Shore culture, flora and history. See an opening protocol ceremony, followed by “talk story” sessions from South Shore kupuna (knowledgeable ones), who are well-versed in the Native Hawaiian culture. Hear them convey the traditional oral history and stories of Kaua‘i’s south side region. This is an opportunity to ask questions and hear answers about much of Kaua‘i’s history and cultural practices. No charge. For information call 742-4400.
Thursday
MAKAUWAHI CAVE TOUR — 9 to 11:30 a.m., Makauwahi Reserve. The richest fossil site in the Hawaiian Islands is found east of Po‘ipu at the Makauwahi Cave, an open ceiling sink hole that is a uniquely preserved archeological site. Considered a living museum, this 17-acre area serves to both interpret ancient history of Hawaiian plant, animal and human activity as well as work on the future of indigenous plants. Learn how native plants and animal species have been restored and continue to thrive. Wear walking shoes, bring water. $10. For information or reservations email makauwahi@gmail.com or call Mary Werthwine at (480) 225-5604.
Friday
CULTURAL DEMONSTRATIONS — 2 to 7 p.m., Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa lobby. Hear about many Native Hawaiian cultural and art practices, including weaving, working with kalo (taro), stone carving, Hawaiian weapons, making drums, making tapa (kapa) and the creation of kupe‘e (bracelets). Learn some of these practices through hands-on teaching sessions and ‘ukulele lessons. For more information contact Stella Burgess at stella.burgess@hyatt.com or 240-6369.
HAWAIIAN ENTERTAINMENT — 6 to 8 p.m., Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa, Seaview Terrace. From 6 to 6:30 p.m. Leilani Rivera Low (Hawaiian guitarist, singer and legendary hula dancer) will perform, followed by a torch lighting ceremony at 6:30 p.m. A Hawaiian music soloist will perform from 6:45 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday
PRINCE KUHIO CEREMONY — 10 a.m., Prince Kuhio Park on Lawa‘i Road. Observe the protocol of honoring Prince Kuhio’s birthday with the Royal Order of Kamehameha, plus bestowing ho‘okupu (gifts), hula (dance) and oli (chant). Ceremonies, song and dance reflect Native Hawaiian traditional cultural practices. Open to the public with some tent seating and lawn seating.
43RD ANNUAL PRINCE KUHIO LONG DISTANCE CANOE RACE — 8 a.m., Kalapaki Beach, Po‘ipu Beach Park, Salt Pond Beach Park. Hosted by the Garden Island Canoe Racing Association. At 8 a.m., the Men’s Division will paddle from Kalapaki Beach to Po‘ipu Beach Park. At 10:30 a.m., the Women’s and Mixed Division teams will paddle from Po‘ipu Beach Park to Salt Ponds Park. An awards ceremony will be held at Salt Ponds Park around noon. For more information, contact Pomaikai Kane, email pkaneautoplus@yahoo.com or call 651-2996.
HAWAIIAN ENTERTAINMENT — 6 p.m., Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa, Seaview Terrace. Duo musicians Leilani Rivera Low and Haunani Kaui play and sing Hawaiian melodies. At 6:30 p.m. there will be a torch lighting ceremony, plus a keiki (children’s) hula at 7 p.m. Free.
PRINCE KUHIO CELEBRATION — 8:15 p.m., Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa, Seaview Terrace. An evening with the legendary Ledward Ka‘apana and Mike Ka‘awa. Hear the extraordinary sounds of these award-winning slack key guitarists, who are considered masters of Hawaiian music. Free. For more information contact Stella Burgess at stella.burgess@hyatt.com or call 240-6369. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Sunday, March 24
OPENING PROTOCOL — 8:30 a.m., Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa. An opening protocol ceremony followed by Taiko drumming at 9 a.m.
CRAFT FAIR/CULTURAL DEMONSTRATION — 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa. Hear about many native Hawaiian cultural and art practices, including weaving, working with kalo (taro), stone-carving, Hawaiian weapons, making drums, making tapa (kapa), creation of kupe‘e (bracelets). Learn some of these practices through hands-on teaching sessions. Participate in hula kahiko (ancient hula) lessons at 10 a.m. See crafts and local art on display during our cultural craft fair, which is followed by a silent auction to benefit Pa Hula Na Kane O Keoneloa and a charity walk. For more information, contact Stella Burgess at stella.burgess@hyatt.com or call 240-6369.
Tuesday, March 26
CONTEMPORARY HAWAIIAN MUSIC — 6 to 8 p.m., Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa. Enjoy music song and dance with special performances in tribute to Prince Kuhio in honor of his birthday. From 6 to 6:30 p.m., listen to contemporary Hawaiian music by Leilani Rivera Low, and at 6:30 p.m., watch a traditional torch lighting ceremony signaled by the blowing of the conch shell. From 7 to 8 p.m., see Leilani Rivera Low’s keiki (children’s) hula halau perform a series of contemporary and ancient dances representing the Hawaiian and Polynesian cultures in honor of Kuhio. For more information, contact Stella Burgess at stella.burgess@hyatt.com or call 240-6369.
Thursday, March 28
TALK STORY — 10 a.m., Kaua‘i Lagoons lobby, 3325 Holokawelu Way. See an opening protocol ceremony, followed by “talk story” sessions from Eastside kupuna (knowledgeable ones) who are well-versed in the native Hawaiian culture. Hear them convey the traditional oral history and stories of Kaua‘i’s central and Eastside regions. This is another opportunity to ask questions and hear answers about much of Kaua‘i’s history and cultural practices. Hawaiian cultural activities are also planned throughout the day. Free. For more information, call 632-8202.
Friday, March 29
LU‘AU — 5 p.m., Smith’s Tropical Paradise. The Smith family has been sharing the history and culture of the Wailua River Valley with visitors and kama‘aina for more than 60 years. Kumu Kaha‘i Topolinski will showcase photos and stories of Prince Kuhio and his family on the island of Kaua‘i from 5 to 6 p.m. Several of Kaua‘i’s Eastside kupuna will also be on hand to “talk story” about local history and legends. At 6 p.m., learn of the cooking style known as kalua at the imu ceremony before enjoying a bounty of island food and drinks and experiencing the songs and dances from Hawai‘i and the Pacific Rim. For more information and reservations, call 821-6895.
Saturday, March 30
ANAHOLA PRINCE KUHIO DAY — 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Anahola. Celebrate the late Jennie Loke Perreira (Aunty Loke) for her exceptional contribution and commitment to educational and cultural resources in the Anahola community. Participate in educational, health and wellness exhibits, performances, arts and crafts to honor the past and embrace the future of Prince Kuhio’s legacy. Enjoy food booths. Free. For more information email khpono@gmail.com or kahaunael002@hawaii.rr.com, or call 639-1754. Located at the end of Anahola Road (turn toward the ocean in Anahola from Highway 56).
