LIHU‘E — A morning concert with coffee, featuring Robert Cazimero and Kuana Torres Kahele, is a nice way to greet Saturday morning.
Cazimero and Kahele will be performing in a mini-stage setup at the Halau Ka Lei Mokihana O Leina‘ala pop-up that opened Friday in the former location of Pier 1 in the Kukui Marketplace. The $25 donation for the morning concert from 9 to 10 a.m. will benefit the halau led by Kumu Hula Leina‘ala Pavao Jardin.
“Mahalo. Mahalo. Mahalo to the Kukui Grove Center for allowing us to have this pop-up,” said the Kumu Hula. “We’re going to be here, Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.”
In addition to the mini concert, the pop-up will feature designs from Manuheali‘i, a Native Hawaiian family fashion brand that was founded in Kailua, O‘ahu.
“Normally, they are only available on O‘ahu,” Kumu Leina‘ala said. “This is the first time they’re brought their fashion to Kaua‘i.”
Anxious shoppers peered in through the windows, anxious to shop through the unique Kaua‘i offerings that also included jewelry created by Kuana Torres Kahele, who was busy crafting a lei haku while eyes peered through the closed doors.
“In addition to be here, Kuana will be leading workshops on lei making on Facebook,” Leina‘ala said. “This is bigger than just here.”
Kahele’s crew busily unpacked their offering along with performers from the halau.
“This is so good that Kukui Grove allowed them to use all this space,” said an anxious shopper waiting for the pop-up opening.
In addition to the retail offerings, Halau Ka Lei Mokihana O Leina‘ala also established a silent auction table featuring numerous contributions from local businesses, as well as pop up vendors and a selfie station that was appropriately holiday-themed.
“We also have the Mokihana Giving Tree for anyone who would want to help our performers with the journey to the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival,” the kumu said. “People can pick an item, and when we go to the Big Island, we’ll be taking that ornament with us.”
Kumu Hula Leina‘ala and the Halau Ka Lei Mokihana O Leina‘ala had a fantastic journey to the Merrie Monarch festival in 2022 when the Kalaheo-based halau swept all the major awards at the international hula competition.
The pop-up will be open Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kukui Marketplace, close to the Target store.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
