PO‘IPU — Associates with the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa were among the first to sign up for classes scheduled for Friday at Ke Kumu O Hihinui, the new cultural center located in the Po‘ipu resort.
Those classes are for lei haku, one of the more popular lei styles whose interest grows during May, when the lei is highlighted and celebrated.
Another class, this one being a coconut basket weaving workshop, is scheduled for this Monday at the new cultural center that was privately blessed in the waning days of April by Sandi Quinsaat and Moani Tolentino leading the opening protocol.
“This is a place where everyone can come together to learn through ma ka hana ka ike, or hands-on experiences,” said Tolentino, the resort’s Manager of Hawaiian Culture. “But this is also a place where they become teachers, too by sharing their mana‘o, or ideas, and aloha with others.”
Designed as a place where guests, residents, and colleagues to gather, grow knowledge of, and deepen their connection to Hawaiian culture, the resort offers weekly, hands-on classes in hula, ‘ukulele, and the creation of flower lei, kukui nut bracelets, pua hulu, or feather flower, and more.
“This is such a great addition, and it is an honor to see this come to fruition so that our guests and colleagues can learn and have a better understanding of Hawaiian culture,” said Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i General Manager Dan King. “We plan to clear a space fronting the center so many of the classes like hula and ‘ukulele can take place outdoors.”
Establishing a sense of history on entering, Ke Kumu O Hihinui includes a number of Hawaiian arts and artifacts, books, and more, including a photograph of Aunty Stella Burgess, the resort’s first Manager of Hawaiian Culture.
Quinsaat, a charter member of the resort’s ‘ohana, continued Aunty Stella’s legacy of perpetuating Hawaiian culture until she retired in 2020 and turned the kuleana over to Tolentino who learned under Aunty Stella.
“We know Aunty Stella would be proud f Moani’s growth as a leader as well as how she is moving the program into the future,” Quinsaat said. “Ke Kumu O Hihinui welcomes all to visit, learn, share mana‘o and aloha.”
