Hui o Laka volunteer Danelle Ka‘auwai works with Kauluwehi Andrade, 6, while Mei Mei Andrade, 6, described as the youngest basket-weaver, works with mom Haawina Andrade in making baskets from banana poka vines Sunday during the 28th annual Banana Poka Round Up at the historic Civilian Conservation Corps Camp in Kokee.
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Dennis Fujimoto / The Garden Island
A rumpled banana poka blossom tries to hide within a wreath at one of the displays at the 28th annual Banana Poka Round Up Sunday sponsored by Hui o Laka at the historic Civilian Conservation Corps Camp in Kokee.
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Dennis Fujimoto / The Garden Island
Elizabeth Anne of Colorado tries her hand at creating a basket from banana poka vines Sunday during the 28th annual Banana Poka Round Up at the historic Civilian Conservation Camp in Kokee.
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Wendy Kaneakua reaches for a big vine while creating her basket from banana poka vines Sunday during the 28th annual Banana Poka Round Up at the historic Civilian Conservation Corps Camp at Kokee.
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Dennis Fujimoto / The Garden Island
Crowing contest hopefuls seek shelter from the rain under the eaves of a cabin at the historic Civilian Conservation Corps Camp Sunday during the 28th annual Banana Poka Round Up sponsored by Hui o Laka.
Dennis Fujimoto The Garden Island
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The gentle rain that blanketed the Kanaloahuluhulu Meadow and the historic Civilian Conservation Corps Camp did not deter visitors to Kokee Sunday as a steady stream of cars made their way up the hill through the misty drizzle during the long Memorial Day weekend.
The gentle rain that blanketed the Kanaloahuluhulu Meadow and the historic Civilian Conservation Corps Camp did not deter visitors to Kokee Sunday as a steady stream of cars made their way up the hill through the misty drizzle during the long Memorial Day weekend.
“We like rain,” said Russell the Rooster of The Storybook Theater. “It makes the worms come out.”
Russell the Rooster led the annual crowing contest for keiki, and those young at heart during the 28 annual Banana Poka Round Up sponsored by Hui o Laka, the County of Kauai and the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
“This is one of the most active parts of the festival,” said Mike Teruya, a photographer who does a lot of the bird photography in the area. “But you have to get in close to catch the action.”
As the video cameras operated by Dr. Rob Zelkovsky rolled, sounds of crowing feathered fowl penetrated the misty air and tickled the ears of those who huddled beneath the canopy housing informational displays, Hawaiian music, a silent auction, keiki games, crafters with products relating to friendly environment, and the basket-making station.
“These are getting harder to find,” Laurie Ho of the Kauai County Farm Bureau said of the banana poka vines being used. “We were lucky to find some close by. We even had some with flowers and fruit.”
The banana poka, an invasive species that at one time threatened the forest at Kokee, is at the heart of the festival where patrons create baskets using the woody vines. Patrons could also create hand-decorated walking sticks using branches of another invasive, the strawberry guava.
Other exhibits from the different state park agencies and environmental groups were also available.
