PO‘IPU — Representatives from the visitor industry had an opportunity to create their own Hawaiian culture experience, Friday. The Hawai‘i Hotel and Lodging Association — Kaua‘i Chapter and the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa opened the doors to the
PO‘IPU — Representatives from the visitor industry had an opportunity to create their own Hawaiian culture experience, Friday.
The Hawai‘i Hotel and Lodging Association — Kaua‘i Chapter and the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa opened the doors to the 5th Annual Conference Is the Hawaiian Culture Alive and Well? with a breakfast featuring Kaua‘i-grown taro prepared by the Grand Hyatt’s culinary staff.
Nine Kaua‘i Hawaiiana artists worked with conference attendees in “talking story” about their respective crafts while their knowledgeable hands guided hands hungry to learn in fashioning new items, the process giving the learner the experience.
The morning was interrupted by the arrival of the Aloha Festivals Royal Court, the protocol of the court’s appearance pleasing guests who were in proximity of the processional through the resort’s lobby to the central area where attendees and crafters could experience a Hawaiiana buffet.
‘Aneke Janet Kahalekomo had the aid of her granddaughter, Brandee Kahalekomo, in working with conference attendees in creating baskets used in the making of Hawaiian salt.
“I really wanted to bring the panels we created at ‘Ele‘ele School, but we needed those at the school where they will have its craft fair,” said the elder Kahalekomo, the kupuna at ‘Ele‘ele School. “So, people will just have to make do with postcard replicas.”
Keone Nunes was on hand with the history of Kakau, ‘ohana geneology, as it relates to the Hawaiian way of life, and Anthony Natividad worked with people on the production of Ihu hano ‘ohe, or the nose flute.
Leina‘ala Kai and Ku‘ulei Beckland worked with people on weaving lauhala, the craft and resulting wristband proving to be most satisfying to a Travel Industry Management intern from the Mainland serving at the Sheraton Kaua‘i.
Gordon Kai worked with aho, or sennit cord, for the creation of a necklace and Verna Takashima worked with kapa and the imprinting on pieces of kapa.
Kumu Hula Charles Kaupu shared the experience of learning an ‘oli and Solomon Apio allowed conference goers to create their own niho ‘oki, or shark’s tooth knife.
Kahalekomo said the seminars might be over, but the crafters will have their things on display at the Grand Hyatt.
Inside: See Island Kokua on C8 for more photos of this event.
