LIHU‘E — Jeff Haigh of California said it’s early, but he’s completed his Year of the Tiger sand sculpture at Kalapaki Beach.
“Appears as if you missed the Christmas and New Year sculptures,” Haigh said in his email announcing the completion of his Chinese New Year creation. “This is the last chance to see the Chinese New Year Tiger sculpture. It’s a big hit so far.”
Haigh has been coming to Kaua‘i for several years, crafting a Christmas sculpture to coincide with Santa’s arrival at Kalapaki Beach, and a New Year sculpture that visitors always flock to for photos with the “Hauoli Makahiki Hou” creation.
With the arrival of COVID-19, the Santa arrival in Nawiliwili disappeared, and Haigh’s efforts at creating a Chinese New Year piece were stymied by numerous unsupervised feet that demolished his pile of sand before he could start.
Chinese New Year, or the Lunar New Year, arrives on Feb. 1, starting as the Year of the Tiger, according to online sources. Celebrations start on the eve of Chinese New Year and end with the Lantern Festival on Feb. 15.
On Kaua‘i, The Shops at Kukui‘ula will celebrate the Year of the Tiger Chinese New Year Celebration on Feb. 4, starting at 6:30 p.m. with the lighting of the firecrackers and the traditional lion dance emerging from the smoke and din.
Due to the ongoing pandemic, this event is a drive-in function, with just limited space available.
Registration for people interested in attending the festivities is on Eventbrite starting Friday morning.
“You are highly encouraged to register early,” said Stacie Chiba-Miguel, the A&B regional manager. “During last year’s event, everything was sold out within minutes. You definitely need to register early.”
During the festivities, people have an opportunity to ask for good luck in the coming year by offering lai see, or money in red envelopes, to the Chinese lion as it makes its way among the crowd, or parked cars as will be the case this year. The music that accompanies the lion will be expanded following the lion’s tour by members of Tsunami Taiko, who will perform for the public.
“That is COVID-19-permitting,” said Chiba-Miguel.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
