PO‘IPU — “This is their time,” said Aunty Janet Kahalekomo Friday at the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa. “We have taught them and taught them, and now, it is their time to teach.” Kahalekomo, who led the “Pa‘akai,” or
PO‘IPU — “This is their time,” said Aunty Janet Kahalekomo Friday at the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa. “We have taught them and taught them, and now, it is their time to teach.”
Kahalekomo, who led the “Pa‘akai,” or art and culture of Hawaiian salt making at the Salt Pond salt pans Monday, had three generations of her ‘ohana, or family, helping Friday with demonstrations and discussions on kalo, or taro, and its products, including a great grandchild, Kyrah Sahut, creating poi for guests.
Other Kahalekomo family members were spread out leading lei making presentations and a discussion on niu, or coconut, a popular activity being the creation of coconut frond fish.
The Hawaiian cultural demonstrations and hands-on learning sessions are a part of the ongoing two-week Prince Kuhio celebration, Kuhio’s birthday being celebrated with protocol ceremonies through his birth date of March 26.
“Aunty Stella Burgess, the resident Hawaiiana kumu at the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i, brings us over twice a year,” said Ku‘uipo Kalahiki-Morales of Kona on the Big Island, a weaver. “Usually, it’s Prince Kuhio and in October when Aunty Stella calls, and we come.”
Joining her was Cindy Whitehawk who led a discussion on Ni‘ihau ipu, a gourd used in hula.
“I used to have pictures to illustrate what happens when you pick the gourd too young,” Whitehawk said. “But now, I actually have a sample where people can see how it collapses on itself if you pick it too young.”
Nestled among the finished ipu of varying sizes and designs, Whitehawk said the gourds are living things and unlike conventional ways of decorating the ipu where the dyes and paints are applied to the gourd, her method has the gourd absorbing the dye, just as other living things absorb things.
The cultural demonstrations will be joined by a craft fair and entertainment Sunday in the area surrounding the Seaview Terrace at the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i.
A protocol ceremony honoring Kuhio will open the day starting at 8:30 a.m. followed by taiko drumming making the transition from the formal protocol to the informative cultural demonstrations, craft fair and slate of entertainment.
Weaving, working with kalo, stone carving, Hawaiian weaponry, drum making, making tapa, or kapa, creating kupe‘e, or bracelets are among the topics of demonstrations while participants are also able to participate in hula kahiko, or ancient hula, lessons starting at 10 a.m.
A wide variety of crafts and local art will go on display during the cultural craft fair, which will feature a silent auction to benefit Pa Hula Na Kane O Keoneloa and the annual Hawai‘i Lodging and Tourism Association charity walk.
Visit www.princekuhio.net for a full schedule and locations of Prince Kuhio celebration events. Call (808) 240-6369 for more information on the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i events.
The Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i is located at 1571 Po‘ipu Road.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
