KAPAA — Kaplan Bunce and the Kauai Powwow Council worked late into the night Thursday setting up tents for the 19th annual Powwow in Paradise.
The event kicked off Friday with an educational outreach where more than 200 keiki gathered at Kapaa Beach Park to learn, and though it was last minute, setup for the event came together just in time.
“We had a late night, but got all the tents up,” said Bunce, president of the Kauai Powwow Council. “There’s a lot happening.”
Throughout the weekend the public is invited to watch and take part in the festivities as tribes gather together to dance for those who can’t and to celebrate reunion and relationship.
“We have nations coming from all over Turtle Island. (That) is what we call North America,” Bunce said. “Powwow is our opportunity to dance for those who have passed on (and) for those who are too weak to dance, and pray for them.”
Though the event is a traditional powwow, Bunce pointed out historically that powwow was not a gathering of all tribes, but the modern version tends to bring nations together.
The goal is to reflect the history and culture of the powwow people, he said, and carry on the “responsibility to keep our powwow entrenched in tradition.”
While there is a thriving Native American population in Hawaii, Bunce said the Powwow in Paradise is a chance to honor those who have come before and who were stewards of the land.
“The significance of holding a powwow in Hawaii is to share Native American culture with our Hawaiian hosts and provide a time to honor people of this land who host us,” Bunce said.
The drum takes center stage at the powwow, and drumming will be nearly ever-present during the event. Bunce said during the remaining two days there will be taiko drumming, African drumming and Native American demonstrations, just to name a few.
“It’s a party, a time to celebrate and have good fun,” Bunce said. “You have your powwow family. My powwow family is from Oahu and Kauai, the Big Island, Washington, Arizona, California. All these are my family members.”
Cultural exchange, talking story and education are all part of the event.
A grand entry ceremony is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. today at Kapaa Beach Park, where the Kauai Powwow Council will honor Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. and officially start the powwow.
Festivities continue through Sunday.
The event is free, but donations are accepted.
•••
Jessica Else, staff writer, can be reached at 245-0452 or jelse@thegardenisland.com.
