The finishing touches on the handcrafted shell and bead jewelry are complete, costumes with feathers, tea leaves and coconut shells have been dusted off and food is in its final preparation stages. It’s been a massive organizational effort with more
The finishing touches on the handcrafted shell and bead jewelry are complete, costumes with feathers, tea leaves and coconut shells have been dusted off and food is in its final preparation stages. It’s been a massive organizational effort with more than 250 volunteers for the 13th annual Heiva I Kauai in Kapaa.
Pat Finberg, media coordinator for the Kauai Tahitian Dance Competition on Saturday and Sunday, said the event develops the next generation of Tahitian dancers, musicians and drummers and gives parents and grandparents an opportunity to pass on their knowledge, thus perpetuating the Tahitian culture.
Solo and group Tahitian dancing and drumming, as well as cultural demonstrations, will be the central theme of the festival. Toa Huhina from Tahiti, this year’s special guest, will be performing the exciting dances of the Marquesas Islands. The group will be conducting the formal Polynesian opening ceremonies, followed by the performance of Marquesan dances.
The uniqueness of the Tahitian dancing comes from the dancers having to follow the drum beats which can change on the spot.
“Dancers have to know their dance steps to spontaneously execute the proper steps according the queue of the drum beats,” Finberg said.
Last year more than 2,700 people attended the festival. Besides dancing, drumming and music, attendees can expect to indulge in dishes, including poke bowls, pork peas and pimentos, kalua pork and cabbage, pork and chicken laulau, tofu curry, pad thai with shrimp, fish with sambal, chicken with Bali sauce, Santa Maria-style barbecue, fish tacos, tri tip sandwiches, chili, fish tacos and teriyaki chicken.
The craft offerings will be diverse and include Hawaiian-made wood carvings and jewelry, shell and beach glass jewelry, Tahitian mother of pearl, carved bone and black pearl jewelry as well as art and photography. There will be a total of 40 vendors displaying their goods.
Tahitian dance and drumming and Samoan fire knife dance workshops are scheduled for both days as well as culturally based audience participation contests, such as dancing and coconut husking.
The event is sponsored by the Hawaii Tourism Authority and the County of Kauai. Gates will open at 9 a.m. at Kapaa Beach Park, 4-1464 Kuhio Highway. Admission is $6 each day at the door. Children age 6 and under will be admitted free. Call 822-9447 to register for workshops. Info: visit www.heivaikauai.com.
