LIHU‘E — The first monthly paina was sold out, Friday, but there were still a lot of people who visited the Kaua‘i Museum. La‘amea Almeida, the Kaua‘i Museum education and docent coordinator, said they reached their cap, Wednesday and have
LIHU‘E — The first monthly paina was sold out, Friday, but there were still a lot of people who visited the Kaua‘i Museum.
La‘amea Almeida, the Kaua‘i Museum education and docent coordinator, said they reached their cap, Wednesday and have still been getting phone calls.
“I ask if they want to place the reservations for the February paina,” said Melisa Mari, the media coordinator. “The February paina will be held on Feb. 1 from 11:30 a.m., although details on who will be entertaining is still forthcoming.”
Friday marked the first of what will be a monthly paina where lunchtime patrons will be treated to lunch by Mark’s Place and Contemporary Flavors with entertainment being provided by local entertainers. All of this is available for a nominal fee for a lunch break.
Fred Aki took the lead on Hawaiian vocals with strong backing from Albert Genovia and Kealoha Cristobal, the group getting former Kaua‘i mayor Maryanne Kusaka to do several hula numbers, one being accompanied by a rendition of “Waikiki” by Kaua‘i Museum director Jane Gray.
“We called, but they said seats were all gone,” said a pair of lunchtime quilters who took advantage of the weekly Friday appearance by Master Quilter Florence Muraoka to work on their individual projects. “We wanted to do the paina, but I guess we can listen while we work.”
New vendor Keoni Pierson, making his initial appearance at the Kaua‘i Museum, Thursday, returned Friday and was met with guests eager to create a Hawaiian jewelry piece.
“Dickie Chang, the paina coordinator, said I needed to be here,” Pierson said. “I was over at another resort, but came back at Dickie’s recommendation.”
The appearance of the vendors only added to the excitement as museum curator Chris Faye wrapped up the Filipino exhibit in anticipation of the Filipina Fiesta, Saturday.
“The Kabulisan Dancers said they will have a living mannequin,” Faye said. “They are supposed to be in different tribal costumes and greet guests when doors open at 10 a.m.”
The Filipino Fiesta is part of the museum’s monthly ‘Ohana Day, celebrated on the first Saturday of the month.
“We’ll have the Filipino exhibit up until the latter part of the month,” Faye said. “Then, it will be replaced by the Chinese exhibit in honor of Chinese New Year which falls on Feb. 10.”
Almeida said in addition to this weekend’s full schedule, Kumu Kamealoha Smith, founder of Ke Kaiaulu O Anahola, will be joined by Charlie Pereira, master throw net maker, and the Kaua‘i Native Plant Society, Jan. 12.
“Kamealoha Smith had keiki tracking the moon and stars for more than a year, creating a moon and tide calendar,” Almeida said. “The calendars will be available for purchase as well.”
Following the Kaulana Mahina event, Almeida said Kahu Elithe Kahn, a Kapa‘a High School graduate and former Miss Kaua‘i, will be hosting a “Ha Breathwork” workshop based on her book on January 19 from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
There is an admission fee for Kahn’s event with limited seating.
Call 245-6931 to register for both the February paina, or the Kahn workshop.
Visit www.kauaimuseum.org for more information on the Kaua‘i Museum which is located at 4428 Rice Street in Lihu‘e. The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
