WAIMEA — The big Waimea Light Parade gets even bigger with the launch of the West Kauai Moolelo Festival on Saturday in Waimea town.
Presented by the Historic Waimea Theatre and Cultural Arts Center and the collaborative efforts of Hawaii workforce development nonprofit ClimbHI, the inaugural West Kauai Moolelo Festival will be honoring the life and legacy of Kauai storyteller, historian and community leader Aletha Goodwin Kaohi, who was instrumental in starting the Waimea Light Parade.
The WK Moolelo Festival starts the evening’s celebration with a showing of the short film “Aletha” on a large outdoor screen.
“Aletha,” which debuted at the 2024 Hawaii International Film Festival, highlights Kaohi and the lessons learned from her 93 years of life in Waimea.
“The festival serves as a place for local storytelling in West Kauai, helping perpetuate Hawaiian culture, and the rich history of Kauai that Aletha held so dear,” said Julie Morikawa, president of ClimbHI, and the producer of “Aletha.”
The WK Moolelo Festival marks the start of an evening that continues with entertainment by award-winning musician and Hawaiian cultural practitioner Kuuipo Kumukahi who also will double as the mistress of ceremony.
Kaohi — being represented by her family — will also be the grand marshall of the decorated light parade that ends at the Hofgaard Park across from the First Hawaiian Bank, Waimea Branch, where food and craft vendors will be available.
The Waimea Bridge is scheduled to shut down from 5 to 9:30 p.m., coinciding with the start of the West Kauai Moolelo Festival, and reopening following the Waimea Light Parade.
For more information, visit www.waimealightparade.com.
