LIHUE — Following a delay created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kauai Museum dedicated the Waimakua and Maryanne Kusaka Exhibit Center on Monday afternoon.
Benefiting from a contribution of refreshments from Keoki’s Paradise and Duke’s restaurant at Kalapaki Beach, the dedication was officiated by Kumu Sabra Kauka before a small audience that included the museum’s Board of Trustees, Senate President Ron Kouchi and recently-installed executive director Ike Cockett of the Waioli Corporation and Nuhou Corporation.
The dedication ceremony dedicated and blessed the building as well as the current Tapa exhibit, which recently attracted the attention of several hula halau that visited Kauai to participate in the hula phase of the Kauai Mokihana Festival presented by the Malie Foundation.
Kusaka said the story of the museum’s expansion dates back to 2011 when the museum faced closure, and for the first time, turned to grant funds to stay alive.
The acquisition of a $735,000 grant with the aid of Kouchi, then-Rep. Jimmy Tokioka, then-Gov. David Ige, Councilmen Mel Rapozo, Bernard Carvalho and more started the process of expanding the museum, vertically.
Palmer Hafdahl Architect did the building work along with Paulo Pretauer Construction, whose hardest task was the installation of the elevator to be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The building houses the Kauai Museum’s current exhibit, “The Art of Kapa: A Tradition Almost Lost” that feature the museum’s collection of kapa that were donated and comes from as far away as Kona on the Big Island.
Kumu Kauka, a cultural instructor at Island School, and a special resource teacher with the Department of Education, Kauai Complex Area, noted the exhibit draws attention from a number of groups because of the diversity shown and demonstrates the subtle details of kapa, including the differences in detail, design and more.
The Kauai Museum that opened in April 1954 is currently soliciting vendors for its Christmas Craft Fair, which will grace the museum’s ground and adjoining area on Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. while supplementing the splendor of the annual Lights on Rice holiday parade.
The Kauai Museum is open Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kauai and Niihau residents are waived from admission on Saturdays.
