WAIPOULI — More than 130 attendees to the Kauai Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours Thursday learned more about one of the community businesses. Hosted by Bently Kriewald, the general manager of the Courtyard by Marriott at Coconut Beach, and
WAIPOULI — More than 130 attendees to the Kauai Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours Thursday learned more about one of the community businesses.
Hosted by Bently Kriewald, the general manager of the Courtyard by Marriott at Coconut Beach, and his staff from the Waipouli resort, Chamber members and guests were treated to some of the services available from the Courtyard.
Leilani Low, kumu hula for Hula Halau o Leilani, who operates the cultural center at the Coconut MarketPlace as well as hosting several Polynesian dance revues around the island, unleashed her dancers ranging from keiki to the exotic Tahitian vahine and fire knife dancers, treating guests to a taste of the weekly Polynesian show at the Courtyard on Wednesdays.
Kriewald, as a gesture of thanks from the resort, offered up a trip for two to Oahu with a two-night stay at the Courtyard Waikiki, a premium which was taken by Jim Mayfield at the conclusion of the event.
Other prizes offered included dinner certificates for the Voyager restaurant in the Courtyard by Marriott as well as other gift items.
Randall Francisco, president of the Kauai Chamber of Commerce, took advantage of the networking to announce the arrival of well-known Hawaii culinary chef Sam Choy to Kauai for the Rice Festival, which will be held in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the Chamber.
Among the events featured at the free community event, which will be held at the Rice Shopping Center, are a Fried Ride competition in three divisions: student, community and professional, Kauai’s Longest SPAM Musubi Contest, which will benefit the two food banks on the island, rice cooking demonstrations, food truck vending various food with rice, exhibits and entertainment.
Running from 10 a.m. through 4 p.m. with free parking available at the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall parking lot, Francisco said the event will also mark the launch of the Lihue Historic Walking Tours where people can learn about Lihue’s history and architecture from the Rice and Kress Street junction through the Kauai Museum.
Although admission is free, patrons are encouraged to bring cans of luncheon meat for donation to the food banks and contribute to a SPAM and luncheon meat pyramid build-a-thon.
The event is being sponsored by the County of Kauai, the Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association, Kauai Chapter, the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Rice Shopping Center and the Kauai Chamber.
Ron Margolis, president of the Rotary Club of Kapaa, used the networking as an opportunity to announce the Anahola Diabetes Wellness Fair, which is sponsored by Wilcox Health, an affiliate of Hawaii Pacific Health.
During the event being held Aug. 25 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., attendees to the event can receive health screenings, including blood pressure and blood sugar testing, demonstrations on cooking with sampling, physical fitness training, and browse through information available from Hoola Lahui, Kauapea Farms and more.
The event also will feature breakout sessions on topics such as “Be Sweet to Your Feet,” “The Fats of Life and Fiber,” “Sugar, Spice, and Every Kine Rice,” “Labels and Carbohydrates,” “Ask an Expert: Dr. Black,” “Laau lapaau,” and Sean Chun speaking on traditional medicinal herbs.
Registration starts at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 25.
The next Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours will be held Aug. 29 at the Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital from 5 to 7 p.m.
The event will be led by an all-day Chamber Day featuring Affordable Care Act Overview and Update from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. followed by the Business After Hours gala in partnership with the West Kauai Rotary Club.
Attendees can meet the staff of KVMH, tour the facility, learn about the services available, get free blood pressure checks and enjoy entertainment while enjoying pupu catered by the local Westside restaurants.
Door prizes will also be available. Chamber members get an early discount registration if signing up before Thursday.
Visit www.kauaichamber.org or call 245-7363 for more information on the Kauai Chamber of Commerce or any of the events.
• Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
