Locals, keiki, kupuna and visitors came to the Kahuku Unit of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in Ka‘u last Saturday to listen to Hawaiian music, enjoy hula, try Hawaiian crafts and practices, and learn about native plants and animals.
Locals, keiki, kupuna and visitors came to the Kahuku Unit of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in Ka‘u last Saturday to listen to Hawaiian music, enjoy hula, try Hawaiian crafts and practices, and learn about native plants and animals.
Good weather brought sunshine, welcome cloud cover at times and a light breeze that kept everyone cool during Saturday’s festival, which started at 10 a.m. and ended at 3 p.m.
In attendance were 985 people, many of whom made lauhala bracelets, or twisted a lei from ti leaves, played Hawaiian games, and enjoyed ono kine grindz on the festival grounds with their loved ones.
“Kahuku is a place of tranquil natural beauty and rich history that most visitors and even locals don’t know about,” said Park Superintendent Rhonda Loh. “It was heartwarming to see old friends and new faces. Mahalo to everyone who spent their day with us, and especially to our park staff, volunteers and partners who worked hard to make the cultural festival happen.”
Performers included Debbie Ryder’s Halau o Leionalani, Keaiwa, Kenneth Makuakane, the Kipapa Sisters, Russell Mauga and Da Kahuku Mauka Boyz, and LoriLei’s Hula Studio for their outstanding performances.
Ka‘u Multicultural Society, Momi Subiono ‘Aha Puhala o Puna, 4 Scoops of Aloha, and the Hawaiian Civic Club, Birds Not Mosquitoes and UH Manoa/J.B. Friday also helped with the festival.
The Friends of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and to the Hawaii Pacific Parks Assocation co-sponsored the festival.
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