WAILUA — The sound of conch shells speaking through the corridor of the Wailua River drew the people to the water’s edge Sunday. Resonating off the cliffs and mountains on both sides of the river, the waa kaulua, or special
WAILUA — The sound of conch shells speaking through the corridor of the Wailua River drew the people to the water’s edge Sunday.
Resonating off the cliffs and mountains on both sides of the river, the waa kaulua, or special double-hulled canoe, made its way to the landing at the Kamokila Hawaiian Village bearing Punohu the Warrior and Ilima (Rivera) the chanter.
“I’ll be 83 this year, and Ilima, my daughter who is the founder and director of Kauai Kau Wela Summer Festival, has done a fabulous job with this presentation which is celebrating its fifth year,” said Larry Rivera, who earlier kept the audience entertained with a medley of compositions. “Wailua is our home and I’m proud of what Ilima has done.”
Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. greeted guests of the 5th annual Kauai Kau Wela Summer Festival, a celebration of the Hawaiian culture centering around the place of Wailua, which held significance in ancient Hawaii.
“This celebration is about perpetuating the Hawaiian culture while speaking of the significance of Wailua,” Carvalho said, ahead of presenting the koa bowl to Kealalani Contrades, who was announced by Ilima as the recipient of the Aloha Spirt award.
Ilima said the protocol of the arrival of the waa kaulua was changed from opening the three-day celebration to closing the festivities.
“This is a time of peace and relaxation,” Ilima said. “People can enjoy the food, kick back, and just enjoy the tranquility and surroundings of the Kamokila Hawaiian Village. I am dedicating this year’s event to my late kumu hula Kuulei Punua who recently passed.”
Opening Friday at the Kukui Grove Center, the Kauai Kau Wela Summer Festival worked through two days of exhibition and competition in fashion, Tahitian Pareo, hula kahiko, hula auana and Tahitian skirt.
All of this unfolded under the watchful eyes of the Punana Leo o Kauai keiki royal court and a selection of vendors offering a variety of merchandise, including event T-shirts and Larry Rivera CDs.
Contrades also topped the Tahitian Pareo Female category in the 7-9 age group as well as the Tahitian Skirt Female category, taking top honors over Mahina Rowe in the Tahitian Pareo and Lily Wolf in the Tahitian Skirt.
Tahra-Lee Kaui swept both categories in the 10-16 age group, taking top honors over Jaedyn Keawe-Caspillo in both classes. She took the category en route to being named All Around Dancer for the three-day event.
Kawailehua Hamberg topped the Kahiko Traditional Female category in the 10-16 age group over Kaui while Keawe-Caspillo topped the Auana Modern Hula category over Kaui.
Hamberg was declared the Best in Hawaiian Attire and Kaui topped the Best Tahitian Attire. Wailana Dasalia of Tamatea Nui O Kauai earned the Aloha Spirit award for the Marching Parade, which opened the Saturday competition.
Visit www.villagekauai.com for more information.
