LIHUE – The flowers are lush. There are red and pink ginger, heliconia, plumeria and vervain. And they fill the 1,200-square-foot area to be dedicated at noon Friday at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa, to Stella Burgess, a
LIHUE – The flowers are lush.
There are red and pink ginger, heliconia, plumeria and vervain. And they fill the 1,200-square-foot area to be dedicated at noon Friday at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa, to Stella Burgess, a longtime South Shore resident, community leader and former director of Hawaiian culture at the Poipu resort, who died in February.
“Many of them were Aunty Stella’s favorites,” said Diann Hartman, director of public relations for the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa. “Before she left us, she was starting to transform the area adding indigenous Hawaiian plants to the garden.”
The tranquility garden will be dedicated during “The Collective Spirit of the Hawaiian Culture.” It will start with an Awa ceremony at 7 a.m. and end at 3 p.m. The event will include a tour of the Kaneiolouma Complex, a panel discussion and hands on instruction about native products. The deadline to register is Monday.
The Hawaii Tourism and Lodging Association is putting on the cultural event as part of the annual Na Lima Hana three day festival at the resort, Oct. 16-18. Tickets cost $45 for members and $60 for nonmembers.
“The Na Lima Hana festival is one of the many festivals Aunty Stella started along with Prince Kuhio days,” Hartman said. “We are honoring her with the tranquility garden for the good work she did to perpetuate the Hawaiian culture.”
During the Na Lima Hana festival, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about lei making, weaving with endemic plants, medicinal plants, salt-making, drum-making, lomilomi (traditional massage), lau hala weaving, kapa (tapa) making, carving, ancient chants, hula kahiko, the uses of kalo (taro) and stone carving.
There will also be Hawaiian food and entertainment.
Info: www.nalimahana.net
