KOLOA — The “Koloa: Hawaiian Sense of Place Cultural Practitioners” gathering that was previously announced as “to be determined” will take place on Friday at the Koloa Neighborhood Center from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., ending at the time the Koloa Plantation Days Festival and Paniolo Backyard BarBQue starts across the street at Koloa Village shopping center.
Ka‘eo Bradford is coordinating the cultural workshops that feature leimaking, hula, lomilomi massage, wood carving and more. There is no charge for admission. Fees will be assessed for supplies of the various workshops being offered.
On tap to appear and lead workshops are master wood carver Kenneth Bray and Tepairu Manea, a pahu and Tahitian drummaker, as well as the president of the Heiva I Kaua‘i competitive and exhibition Tahitian dance event that will take place Aug. 5 and 6 at Kapa‘a Beach Park.
Bradford, a kumu hula, will lead a workshop in royal feather crafts, and Kaleo Jake Kaohelauli‘i and his ‘ohana will be available to talk about Ni‘ihau shells.
Ka‘ike Akama, a lomilomi practitioner, and John Kaohelauli‘i, a konane game whiz, will be available to teach people more.
The Hawaiian cultural activities will lead to the formal Aha Awa ceremony that opens the Koloa Plantation Days. Kumu Hula Leina‘ala Pavao Jardin will lead the formalities with anticipated participation by Ke‘ao NeSmith, Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami, Arryl Kaneshiro of the Koloa Plantation Days Committee, and other guests of honor participating.
Once the formal ceremonies are done, the party starts with music by the Kaua‘i Kollab, and a beer garden hosted by Friendly Waves in the Koloa Village. Line dancing lessons will be offered by the Kaua‘i Line Dance Group from 6:30 p.m. on the Weliweli Road side of the Koloa Village courtyard, and dancing will close the place at 8:30 p.m.
The Village Market, including Noe Creation, Kopelani Kaua‘i, Koloa Farm, Cozy Bowls, ‘Aina Organics, La Miren Spice, Pele Jele, I love you from here to Kaua‘i, Ceramics by Morgan and Kristen fish eye art will be open from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Info: www.koloaplantationdays.com.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
