LIHUE — March 3 is traditionally celebrated as Girls Day, based on Japanese customs and traditions.
March 2 is recognized as the birthday of Dr. Suess, well-known author.
The combination of both observances brought out droves of people to Kukui Grove Center, where Read Across America, an event celebrating Dr. Suess’ birthday, put books and literacy in the limelight, sharing the stage with a tribute to girls and their future health and happiness.
“Bella has her dictionary,” said Sarah Salamey, the mother of a Alakai O Kauai Public Charter School third-grade student Bella Salamey. “Dictionaries are not just for looking up words anymore. There are so many different aspects to a dictionary.”
The dictionaries were made possible through a program of the Rotary Club of Poipu Beach, which distributes dictionaries to third-grade students within their club boundaries.
Donna Olivas Kaohi of the Kauai Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, was promoting the Little Free Library program they initiated during a recent service project.
“We need to find homes in the neighborhood were these libraries can be placed,” Olivas Kaohi said. “Casey Paul recently built one for his house. We can probably help him with titles to put in the library.”
Paul, who moved to Kauai from Seattle, said these libraries are everywhere in Washington. He simply built one so people in his neighborhood could take advantage of it.
Other RSVP volunteers helped with keiki activities as well as the book sale by USBorne Books in the central food court area, where kupuna from Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital and Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital were enjoying the variety of Japanese entertainment put on by the Kauai Japanese Cultural Society and volunteers from the Kauai High School Japanese Club and Kapaa High School Japanese Club.
“The kupuna really enjoy the entertainment,” said Elsie Bayot, the KVMH recreation director. “We came for the first time last year, and the residents had so much fun we’re back again.”
Entertainment ranged from traditional Japanese dance to more contemporary skits put on by the younger Japanese club students.
“This is a little bit of everything,” said Melissa McFerrin-Warrack, KGC special-events manager. “Everything is connected, and we’re just making sure all the dots are connected.”
Elyse Litvack of Kumu’s Cupboard, a nonprofit resource center for Kauai educators, took advanntage of the collection of people to remind people of the Mokihana Club Scholarship Benefit Concert and Silent Auction coming up Saturday, March 9, where proceeds benefit scholarships for Kauai Community College nursing students and high school seniors looking to pursue musical studies following high school.
“Last year, the Mokihana Club was able to present $20,000 in scholarships,” Litvack said. “This year, we hope to be able to present more. There is a deadline of (Friday) March 15 for students to have their applications filed with the Mokihana Club.”
McFerrin-Warrack said the excitement continues with Malasada Tuesday tomorrow, a day before Ash Wednesday.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
