PO‘IPU — Phyllis Kunimura, Koloa Plantation Days Board President, was pleased people were talking Monday night at The Shops at Kukui‘ula. “Last year, people came and mostly viewed the photographs and left,” Kunimura said. “This year, with the addition of
PO‘IPU — Phyllis Kunimura, Koloa Plantation Days Board President, was pleased people were talking Monday night at The Shops at Kukui‘ula.
“Last year, people came and mostly viewed the photographs and left,” Kunimura said. “This year, with the addition of the different artifacts loaned by various people in the community, people are having their memories of plantation life sparked and are talking with each other. It’s such a warm feeling to see that.”
Melissa McFerrin, the event coordinator of Koloa Plantation Days, said the effort to bring together all of the different artifacts, including a wooden washing machine and a kerosene stove, were spearheaded by Stacie Chiba, The Shops at Kukui‘ula’s assistant real estate manager, and Arryl Kaneshiro of Grove Farm Company, Inc.
“It’s refreshing to have all these young people get involved,” McFerrin said. “This is how tradition is perpetuated. We need to get more of the younger people involved and helping.”
Chiba said the display of photographs and artifacts of the plantation era will be available for public viewing through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. On Wednesdays, the hours will be extended until 6 p.m. due to the Gourmet Community Market, which takes place from 4 to 6 p.m., and for the occasion of Koloa Plantation Days, will be featuring plantation treats.
McFerrin said people interested in the “Look Back Through the Sugar Era” event Thursday should call 245-3678, ext. 222 and be placed on a wait list because the event is already at more than 90 attendees.
“There is a lot more to this event than we first thought,” said Aileen Kageyama, who along with her husband, Niles, teaches the Koloa Elementary School ‘Ukulele Band. “This year, Niles and I made a pledge to try and visit as many of the events throughout the 10-day celebration. We have people from the Mainland telling us they would love to be here for this event, so we thought we’d better get to know it better.”
Tuesday, Jonel Tafiti joined 18 crafters at the KPD Craft Fair at The Point at Po‘ipu. Judy Webb, who coordinated the recent Garden Island Artisan Fair in Po‘ipu, said despite the windy conditions, which were punctuated with a passing shower bout, things at the craft fair were good.
“A lot of these vendors will be on hand Saturday during the celebration in the park following the parade,” Webb said.
“We just filled our 70th berth, so it will be a huge craft fair at the Anne Knudsen Park.”
Webb said she’s also coordinating the next Garden Island Artisan Fair, which will be held Aug. 11 in Po‘ipu from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Among those vending, Tepairu Manea, a drum crafter, was explaining the craft of creating Tahitian drums to shoppers.
“It’s a work of art,” Manea, who will also be featured at the upcoming Heiva I Kaua‘i on Aug. 4 and 5 at the Kapa‘a Beach Park, said. “I take my time and don’t really rush the pieces. I sign my name so I make sure it’s good.”
Dena Peoples of California was busy vending KPD shirts, created by Greta Hendrickson in her garage, at the craft fair.
“I’ve been coming here for 20 years,” Peoples said. “I had something to do Monday, or I would have been at The Shops at Kukui‘ula, too.”
The table was manned by Marilyn Galbreath and her daughter Kim of Southern California, who were volunteering for the second year.
“It’s amazing how people come here to vacation and end up volunteering,” McFerrin said.
Visit www.koloaplantationdays.com, or call 652-3217 for more information.
