LIHU‘E — There is something for everyone, said Malia Nobrega-Olivera, a board member of ‘Ahahui ‘Olelo Hawai‘i, and faculty at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa Hawai‘inuiakea School of Hawaiian Knowledge.
The first Ola Ka ‘I Kaua‘i me Ni‘ihau opens at Kukui Grove Center on Saturday starting at 10 a.m. and continuing until 2 p.m. as a free event to honor and celebrate the Hawaiian language.
The Kaua‘i showing is part of a statewide effort that will feature similar events on the other Hawaiian Islands through the month of February that is being observed to celebrate the Hawaiian language.
Melissa McFerrin Warrack, the special events coordinator for Kukui Grove, said it’s a weekend of culture and love as the shopping center celebrates not only the Hawaiian language, but Chinese New Year, and Valentines Day.
“The Chinese Lions by Tsunami Taiko make their appearance at the Ola Ka ‘I Kaua‘i me Ni‘ihau event who had built in accommodation for the Chinese New Year,” McFerrin Warrack said. “Two cultures coming together. It’s fabulous, and love.”
After arriving at the food court area where Ola Ka ‘I Kaua‘i me Ni‘ihau will be set up, the lion will explore the other areas of the shopping center, including past the Kaua‘i Ocean Discovery feature Hawaiian language books for keiki that involve ocean discovery, a special Honua Design pop-up that has a variety of fashion available to celebrate Valentine’s Day, and the opening of the Kaua‘i Quilt Show and its satellite Pop Up Boutique.
Ola Ka ‘I Kaua‘i me Ni‘ihau is a collaborative effort involving Kukui Grove, Kanaeokana, Kamehameha Schools, KS Kaiaulu, Hawai‘inuiakea School of Hawaiian Knowledge, the Kaua‘i Community College, Kawaikini New Century Public Charter School, Punana Leo o Kaua‘i, Island School and the Kaua‘i Council of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs.
“Enjoy cultural performances by Punana Leo o Kaua‘i, Kula Kaiapuni ‘o Kawaikini, Po Haku Mele, Island School, KANAKA Ni‘ihau School, the Elsie Wilcox Elementary School, and Na Hoku Hanohano award-winning group, Kupaoa,” Nobrega-Olivera said.
“You can also explore more than 20 local vendor booths that will be sharing information about their programs, hands-on activities, and locally-made items like Ni‘ihau shell lei and earrings. And, of course, you don’t want to miss out and witness the very first live Hawaiian language speech competition.”
Additionally, the wood carver working on creating a tiki from the dead coconut tree in-place fronting the Times Supermarket entrance will have a display booth, McFerrin Warrack said.
“Let’s celebrate our language, our culture, and our community at Ola Ka ‘I Kaua‘i me Ni‘ihau,” Nobrega-Olivera said. “E ola mau ka ‘olelo Hawai‘i!”
