For more than a decade, the Kaua‘i Polynesian Festival has paid tribute to the indigenous island cultures of the southern Pacific. This year’s fun continues through Sunday at Vidinha Stadium in Lihu‘e. “We’re in our 12th year,” Festival Director Kapu
For more than a decade, the Kaua‘i Polynesian Festival has paid tribute to the indigenous island cultures of the southern Pacific.
This year’s fun continues through Sunday at Vidinha Stadium in Lihu‘e.
“We’re in our 12th year,” Festival Director Kapu Kinimaka-Alquiza said. “People can expect to have a great weekend.”
Presented by the Kamanawa Foundation, the 2013 Kaua‘i Polynesian Festival kicks off at noon today and features Tahitian, Maori, Samoan and Hawaiian entertainment, Polynesian arts and crafts, solo and group dance competitions, food booths, workshops, a farmers market, Hawaiian games and much more for the entire family.
There will be about 30 arts and craft vendors and five food booths on site to choose from.
One of the most popular festival events is the “Polynesian Experience,” a hands-on cultural craft and dance activity beginning at noon today and Saturday.
Learn fire-making, spear-throwing, how to husk a coconut and weaving techniques using the fronds of the coconut and hala tree, according to the event website. Professionals will also teach participants how to dance the hula, make a ti-leaf lei and tie a pareau — or sarong — in the Polynesian style.
“The Polynesian Experience is one of the things that people should attend if they haven’t been to the festival,” Kinimaka-Alquiza said.
Additional events include a trio of performances by O‘ahu contemporary group FAB 4, Maori action and poi ball dances of Aotearoa, a Tahitian dance exhibition and fire dance competitions.
Kinimaka-Alquiza said incorporating the different Polynesian cultures into one weekend-long event was a “brainstorming idea” of a small festival committee back in 2000.
“It’s been very successful,” she said.
The Polynesian Festival runs from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. today, 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday and 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Tickets are $10 per day or $25 for a 3-day pass. Dance participants and children under age 5 are admitted for free. Workshops cost $25 each.
Tickets can be purchased online, at the door or at select island retailers, including Deli and Bread, Progressive Expressions, Scotty’s Music, Western Motors, Aloha Rainbow Screening, Larry’s Music, Hula Girl Restaurant, Eggberts and Hanalei Surf Co.
Established in 1994, the Kamanawa Foundation is a Kaua‘i-based nonprofit organization with the mission of preserving, promoting and perpetuating the native Hawaiian culture, including the language, social values, arts, crafts and music, according to its website.
For more information about the festival and a complete schedule of events check out www.kauaipolynesianfestival.org.
