Koloa Plantation Days, following a two-year rest because of the COVID-19 pandemic, returns to an in-person event, “Gather Together Again,” this week on Kaua‘i’s south side.
The historic St. Raphael Church mustered its parishioners Saturday to host a coffee hour for participants of the Historic Hapa Trail Walk, one of the first events to kick off the week-long festivities remembering and celebrating the lifestyles during the days when sugar reigned supreme.
“Koloa Plantation Days has a lot of history and culture,” said Katie Beer, who arrived at St. Raphael Church for the walk. “I’ve been to a lot of festivals that don’t have as much historical and cultural events as Koloa. I’m easing into retirement so I’m definitely planning on viewing Kaneiolouma at the Manokalanipo with Hui Malama o Kaneiolouma Monday morning. That event takes place in the day, and I could never do it because I had to work.”
The St. Raphael Church group, re-living the old day’s style of hospitality, opened their doors with coffee, water and pastries for the more than hundred people who registered to walk along the historic trail that connected Koloa town with Po‘ipu and the South Shore, led by Jeri DiPietro.
“I’ll be here the entire week,” said Stacie Chiba-Miguel, the Alexander &Baldwin regional manager. “My kids are going back to school, and The Shops are Kukui‘ula is hosting storytelling with Kathy “Tita” Collins Monday at the Palm Court starting at 5:30 p.m. The Eating House is going to resume chef demos starting Wednesday at the pop-up farmers’ market ahead of the Flavors of Kukui‘ula that celebrates the food we had during plantation days. That event with Wally Rita’s kachi-kachi band is on Friday night starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Palm Court.”
Other events taking place Monday include the opening of the Plantation Museum for a week-long stay at the Po‘ipu Shopping Village, a new venue from previous Koloa Plantation Days celebrations. With the help of the Kaua‘i Historical Society, the museum will feature plantation days’ life through the lenses of the late Carol Ann Davis, including the final days of the Koloa Sugar mill. Local authors are also expected to visit the museum to sign copies of their respective books being sold by the historical society.
Tuesday events include the Plantation Days Craft Fair at the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort &Spa starting from 9 a.m. and continuing until 2 p.m.
The Polynesian revue and fire dancer opens up the nighttime excitement at the Po‘ipu Shopping Village from 7:30 p.m.
For more information on the Koloa Plantation Days, check the special tabloid that was released with the Friday edition of The Garden Island newspaper, or visit koloaplantationdays.com.
•••
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
