LIHUE — Gates to the 12th annual Kauai Polynesian Festival open at 11:30 a.m. today and Sunday at Vidinha Stadium soccer fields. Hosted by the Kamanawa Foundation, the event features Tahitian, Maori, Samoan entertainment along with Polynesian arts and crafts,
LIHUE — Gates to the 12th annual Kauai Polynesian Festival open at 11:30 a.m. today and Sunday at Vidinha Stadium soccer fields.
Hosted by the Kamanawa Foundation, the event features Tahitian, Maori, Samoan entertainment along with Polynesian arts and crafts, solo and group dance competitions, food booths and a Polynesian farmer’s market featuring several Pacific Island crafters.
The Polynesian Experience allows visitors to enjoy a taste of Polynesia with hands-on activity including a session with Maori poi balls, a spear hurling activity where the object is to spear a coconut placed on a wooden pole high above the ground.
More passive activities include creating coconut frond weavings, or a ti leaf lei punctuated with aromatic plumeria.
A vendor fashion show is scheduled for each day of the festival, which wraps up Sunday evening.
Dance competition lineup includes Tahitian group Otea, Aparima and Ahupurotu on Saturday night. Also on tap is the fire knife competition for age groups from junior (6-12 years old) through senior (18 years and older).
Sunday competition include Tahitian solo and couples dance competition.
Admission is $10 per person for anyone over 5 years old or a $25 pass for all three days of the festival.
