KAPA‘A — Schar Freeman of the Kaua‘i Powwow Council was somber during the two-day event that ended Sunday at Kapa‘a Beach Park. “This may be the last powwow for a long time,” Freeman said as she watched the inter-tribal dancing
KAPA‘A — Schar Freeman of the Kaua‘i Powwow Council was somber during the two-day event that ended Sunday at Kapa‘a Beach Park.
“This may be the last powwow for a long time,” Freeman said as she watched the inter-tribal dancing dedicated to Apolonia Susana Santos take place in the arena of Kaua‘i Powwow 2004, the sixth annual event that closes off the (Hawai‘i) Powwow Trail that starts in September and finishes the second week of October on Kaua‘i.
“My heart wants to continue,” Freeman said. But, Santos has cancer, and an unsuccessful attempt at stemming her disease will force Freeman to make an emotional decision to focus her attention on Santos’ struggle with cancer.
“I pray that some one will step forward to continue this,” Freeman said while explaining that hosting a powwow takes a tremendous amount of personal commitment.
Faced with cutbacks in arts budgets, Freeman said the coordinator will be faced with creative fund-raising efforts to hold the event that is designed to bring a greater awareness of Native Americans to all peoples. Freeman said it costs the Kaua‘i Powwow Council between $29,000 and $78,000 to host the annual event, but due to the group’s distraction with Santos’ cancer struggles, the event over the weekend was one of the smaller ones held. Despite this, a number of vendors offering unique Native American crafts and artifacts were on hand, as well as Red Thunder, the drummer for this year’s event.
“We had a good crowd Saturday,” Freeman said. “There were about 800 people that passed through the gates, not counting the performers.”
Buttons Lovell, who performed the invocation, explained that the there is a “fear of the unknown among people, and once they see, then there is no longer fear.”
Powwow are great events for gaining a greater understanding of the Native Americans, and, Lovell said, “once they (people) see, then there is no fear, and people will accept the Native American for what they are.”
Kehau Kekua of Halau Palaihiwa O Kaipuwai had her people out in force, distributing their coconut sunrise smoothies among other thirst quenchers. Kekua said she led the special sunrise service Friday, and then continued with a blessing of the grounds (arena) before the event started later that morning.
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@pulitzer.net.
