KUKUI‘ULA — The Shops at Kukui‘ula will feature three events when it joins the annual Koloa Plantation Days festivities, a week-long celebration of plantation era lifestyle and life.
“We’re excited to celebrate Kaua‘i’s history and culture during this year’s Koloa Plantation Days,” said Stacie Chiba-Miguel, the regional manager for mall owner at Alexander & Baldwin. “We look forward to welcoming our guests to The Shops at Kukui‘ula for plantation treats, refreshments and live entertainment.”
The entertainment includes master storyteller Kathy “Tita” Collins launching the events at The Shops at Kukui‘ula on July 24 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Palm Court, where guests can enjoy refreshments while enjoying Collins’ detailed narration of life during the plantation era.
She hosts “One ‘Ohana: A Plantation Life Storytelling,” with her knowledge of English, Hawaiian and the unique Hawaiian Pidgin English that developed during the plantation era.
On July 26, the Kaua‘i Culinary Market that is held each Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. throughout the shopping center with entertainment, will feature “plantation days” foods that were brought to Kaua‘i during the sugar plantation era from diverse cultures and continue to be enjoyed today by residents and visitors.
Living Foods will offer a special chef demonstration illustrating the different flavors and cultural influences of the sugar plantation era on local food that starts at 5 p.m. at the Palm Court.
The monthly Flavors of Kukui‘ula will celebrate the Koloa Plantation Days on July 28 at its “largest family-friendly pau hana party.” The Flavors of Kukui‘ula will honor the island’s plantation heritage with culinary bites and plantation treats available, street-food style, and a wide variety of refreshments from the shopping center’s participating restaurants.
A highlight of the evening is the performance by Kaua‘i’s “premier kachi-kachi band,” Wally Rita Y Los Kauaianos, with an opening performance by singer-songwriter David Parsons.
For a full listing of the Koloa Plantation Days, including the event’s formal opening on Friday at the Koloa Village shopping center, visit www.koloaplantationdays.com. For more information on The Shops at Kukui‘ula, visit www.theshopsatkukuiula.com, or its social media pages.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
