LIHU‘E — It’s on! The 4th annual Kaua‘i Kau Wela Summer Festival officially kicked off Thursday at Kamokila Hawaiian Village by Wailua River, and today it moves to Kukui Grove Center in Lihu‘e. And it’s all free. This festival, masterminded
LIHU‘E — It’s on! The 4th annual Kaua‘i Kau Wela Summer Festival officially kicked off Thursday at Kamokila Hawaiian Village by Wailua River, and today it moves to Kukui Grove Center in Lihu‘e. And it’s all free.
This festival, masterminded by recording artist Ilima Rivera, will be the largest ever this year, and will bring a few new surprises.
“We will have a ‘ukulele contest and a Tahitian group dance competition,” said Rivera, who is the daughter of Kaua‘i Living Treasure and world renowned singer-songwriter Larry Rivera.
The winner of the ‘ukulele contest, to run Sunday at noon, gets to take home a ‘ukulele personally handcrafted by Raymond Rapozo of Island Ukulele, Ilima Rivera said.
The Tahitian dance competition will feature groups of three to 10 dancers of any age. The competition is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m., right after the ‘ukulele contest.
“We did our first vehicle parade last year, but due to construction on the road, there will be no vehicle parade this year,” Rivera said.
Sometimes, however, unexpected situations have a positive outcome. Rivera said the event will still hold a parade, but it will be a “walking parade.”
“We are inviting all hotel staff and employees to join us,” said Rivera.
The parade will commence at 11 a.m. Saturday, and there will be awards for best aloha spirit and best costume representing the aloha spirit. Even the keiki will get some of the awards, which will include tiki carvings on coconut wood, some 2 feet tall, Rivera said.
From today through Sunday, several crafters will be set up at Kukui Grove Center.
Some of the entertainment today will include Ilima’s uncle, 89-year-old Ernie Menehune, a Hawaiian entertainer and comedian. Menehune is also known as the Polynesian King of Entertainment, a title given to him by the mayor of Tucson, Ariz., where Menehune currently resides.
Rivera will also perform with her father tonight at 7 p.m., together with the Hau‘oli Dancers.
Throughout the weekend, several other performers will entertain at the festival, including Tahitian drum master Tepairu Manea, Kaua‘i Kau Wela drummers, Tahitian groups Ori Uvira and Tamatea Nui O Kaua‘i, and hula groups.
Kai‘ulani Edens-Huff will be the event’s master of ceremony.
The event was first launched in 2009 and every year it grows a little. In 2009 it ran for two days, and last year it grew to four days.
Call Rivera at 822-5929 for more information.
