LIHUE — A lion dance and the traditional setting off of firecrackers will be part of the Chinese New Year celebration Saturday at the Aqua Kauai Beach Resort. The event is being put on by the Kauai Historical Society with
LIHUE — A lion dance and the traditional setting off of firecrackers will be part of the Chinese New Year celebration Saturday at the Aqua Kauai Beach Resort.
The event is being put on by the Kauai Historical Society with the Kauai Chinese Heritage Society. The evening centers around the seven-course Chinese dinner buffet. There will also be entertainment and cultural displays.
Chris Faye, curator at the Kauai Museum, said the Kauai Historical Society and the Kauai Chinese Heritage Society will probably have people from Oahu perform the lion dance.
“They probably will bring their own lion, so ours will probably be on display for people to admire and present good luck offerings,” Faye said. “Then, he goes back into his storage lair for another year.”
The green lion on display at the Kauai Museum symbolizes friendship, Faye said.
Lion dancers come from martial arts schools to perform the custom of cai qung, or plucking of the greens, a quest by the lion to pluck the auspicious greens attached to red envelopes containing money.
Sometimes, the prize would be hung 15 to 20 feet above the ground and the lion would dance and approach the red envelope and greens like a curious cat.
Eventually, the lion would“eat” the greens, spitting out the leaves, but keeping the envelope. The lion dance is believed to bring good luck and fortune to the one who sets out the greens.
The event from 5:30 to 9 p.m. is part of a multi-cultural celebration, which commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Kauai Historial Society.
Tickets are $65 per person and are available at www.kauaihistoricalsociety.org or by calling 245-3373.
