LIHUE — There will be a lot of excitement when the Kukui Grove Center welcomes the month of May on May 1.
The Kauai Na Lima Hana Noeau Cultural Artists Guild is partnering with Kukui Grove and Kula Aupuni Niihau a Kahelelani Aloha KANAKA 21st Century Charter School to present a rare, four-day series of cultural demonstrations and workshops at the shopping center May 1-4.
The program will feature master crafters who are preserving the unique cultural practices of Hawaii and Kauai sense of place.
The demonstrations and workshops will include lei making, Niihau shell earrings, coconut and lauhala weaving, feather work, wood carving, drum making, massage and healing, and konane, the ancient Hawaiian game of strategy.
On May 3, starting at 10:30 a.m., the Kanaka Charter School will help celebrate the May Day festivities with Hawaiian songs and dances at the food court stage that is near the room where most of the demonstrations and workshops will be happening.
“We are happy to be part of this May Day Celebration to engage everyone in our Kauai sense of place,” said Kumu Kaeo Bradford.
The display and free demonstrations that start on May 1 will include lei makers Kanahele ohana, Ka Pa Kanaenae O Kauai iiki Hula Halau and Evalani Lizama, and master wood carver Kamakana Bray, who converted a coconut tree that died into a tiki.
Master weavers Bradford and Evalani Lizama, and master Hawaiian saddle maker Stanley Velarosa will be joined by master Hawaiian pahu drum, and Polynesian tuere drum maker Tepairu Manea, whose family coordinates the annual Heiva i Kauai 2-day competition in Kapaa.
Bradford will be working with hulu, or feathers, and will join other Hawaiian healers like Mauli Ola Hawaii and Kaike Akama as well as Konane master John Kaohelaulii who inaugurated a konane tournament during this year’s statewide Olele Hawaii event.
There will also be workshops that require registration and fees. These include fresh flower lei making with Ka Pa Kanaenae of Kauai iiki Hula Halau , ti leaf lei making and lauhala bracelet wearing with Lizama, fresh flower haku wristlets with Ka Pa Kanaenae o Kauai iiki Hula Halau , Pupu O Niihau shell earrings with Kanahele ohana, coconut frond toy weaving with Bradford, and stamped leather keychain with Velarosa.
Healing sessions requiring registration and fee include Hawaiian lomilomi massage with Kaike Akama , Mauli Ola Hawaii, and reiki mini sessions with Bradford.
For full schedule of events, pre-registration, contact Bradford at 808-256-8839.
