NAWILIWILI — Two dozen youth representing 17 different countries from around the world converged at the Niumalu pavilion, guests of the five Lions Clubs on Kaua‘i. Tuesday was the first day of their four-day stay on Kaua‘i as part of
NAWILIWILI — Two dozen youth representing 17 different countries from around the world converged at the Niumalu pavilion, guests of the five Lions Clubs on Kaua‘i.
Tuesday was the first day of their four-day stay on Kaua‘i as part of the International Youth Camp program through the Lions International.
“You need to be related to a Lion to be selected for the program,” said East Kaua‘i Lion Janice Bond, host for an early arrival, Laurel Locke of Canada.
Bond said her guest was not related to a Lion, but her sister participated in an earlier program and she was chosen. She arrived in time to help at the Kaua‘i Hospice 20th Annual Concert in the Sky, where she spent a shift volunteering at the Benefit Drawing tent.
“We’ve gone shopping, and done some things ahead of the group,” Bond said.
Two other students, Svea Konig of Germany and Bronwyn Rae of England, also arrived early, spending the weekend with a North Shore host family who said they spent time at every beach in the North Shore area, swimming with turtles and Hawaiian monk seals.
George Costa of the county’s Office of Economic Development, representing Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr., extended the island’s welcome to the visiting guests.
“Niumalu is a special place for islanders,” Costa said. “My wife grew up just a few houses from here. We are truly sharing our home with you.”
During their stay, the two dozen students and their hosts will be headquartered at the Kaua‘i Inn.
Kelvin Moniz and Roy Nishida of the East Kaua‘i Lions Club are the Kaua‘i coordinators for the event, Bond said.
Moniz said the unique three-week activity provided youth from all over to meet and learn from each other. Prior to arriving on Kaua‘i, the majority of the group did not know each other, making acquaintances and friends on the flight to Kaua‘i from O‘ahu.
“Thursday night, they’re going to be practicing bon dances at the pavilion, and Friday night, they’ll go to the Kapa‘a Jodo Mission and actually dance,” she said.
Wednesday’s itinerary is being handled through the North Shore Lions Club and includes a tour to the North Shore, allowing ample free time at the Hanalei Pier area and lunching at the Haraguchi Poi Mill.
A tour of Koke‘e and the Westside spearheaded by the West Kaua‘i Lions Club will occupy the Thursday itinerary that will end with a stop at the Salt Pond salt pans where the international group of students will try their hand at making Hawaiian salt.
The EK Lions spearheaded the Friday itinerary that included tours to the South Shore with ample time at the Po‘ipu Beach Park before heading to the bon dance in Kapa‘a.
“This program gives the young people a better understanding of Lionism with open sharing of ideas and an international sharing of cultures,” said Kaua‘i County Council Chair Kaipo Asing in presenting each of the students with a welcome certificate.
Asing expressed his interest in seeing this program continue in years to come and assured the Lions of the county’s support for a program that has far-reaching effects. That sentiment was also echoed by Costa, whose office was one of the program sponsors for this trip.
Countries represented by the visiting youth include Mongolia, Croatia, Netherlands, Canada, Israeli, Switzerland, Italy, Finland, Austria, Poland, Norway, Slovakia, Hungary, Czech Republic, Germany and England.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com
