LIHUE — Charlie Perreira does his fishnet nearly every weekend at the Kauai Museum. Saturday was no exception, but for Perreira, there was a little more pride as the Kauai Museum celebrated its Portuguese Cultural Day and Exhibit, showcasing the
LIHUE — Charlie Perreira does his fishnet nearly every weekend at the Kauai Museum.
Saturday was no exception, but for Perreira, there was a little more pride as the Kauai Museum celebrated its Portuguese Cultural Day and Exhibit, showcasing the Portuguese culture in Hawaii.
“One hundred percent,” Perreira boasted about himself. “From Madeira!”
A steady stream of people flowed through the gates to the museum’s courtyard, pulled in by the aroma of cooking malasada wafting on the brisk tradewinds and the colorful flags of Portugal.
“It’s important to appreciate our Portuguese heritage,” said Darlene Yamase who was accompanying her mother, Catherine Costa, through the line of vendors offering items created with roots in the Portuguese culture.
Nadine Horner said her mother, Alice Arruda, moved the oven from the museum back to her home.
“She’s going to teach my son how to make bread,” Horner said. “This is how we keep the heritage alive. My son is the next generation.”
Different food stations offered malasada, Portuguese soup, and even a Hawaiian bowl, a demonstration of how the different cultures melded together to form today’s lifestyle and island culture.
Kauai Museum is offering a Portuguese genealogy and historic exhibit through the end of the month.
Lyah Kama Drake, the Kauai Museum education outreach director, said the next event will feature the Japanese culture and people in August.
