KOLOA — “Holomua” is the theme of the 2025 Koloa Plantation Days experience, and is found on the commemorative wear that was available for a donation at the Historic Sugar Exhibit on Sunday at the Koloa Village Shopping Complex.
“You have to give them the code to the bathrooms, if they ask,” said Ramona Kincaid of the Kauai Historical Society, who monitored the exhibit that triggered memories of the plantation era. That is the aloha in holomua as the historic exhibit and sales of Kauai Historical Society books have moved from their previous locations at The Shops at Kukuiula to Dark Horse Roasters, and this year, to the Marketplace at Koloa Village.
“Holomua,” according to online sources, including the University of Hawaii, is interpreted as “moving forward toward success” and embodies the concept of advancement, improvement, and forward motion. During the Opening Ceremonies that was held at Koloa Village on Saturday, the many hands of the tenant shops, including Porky’s Aloha in a Bun, and the Flip Flop Shops meshed to provide shelter for guests from the passing showers that were just a teaser for overnight rains that closed the Hanalei Bridge, several popular hiking trails, and generated flash flood warnings on Sunday.
Koloa Plantation Days Vice President Keola Kaiminaauao said, “We remember the many people, the work they all achieved, and the many ethnic groups that worked together for the success of sugar and pineapple in Hawaii.”
People participating in the first three days of this year’s 10-day Koloa Plantation Days were immersed in holomua as organizers of the Koloa Pop Warner football fundraising Cast-Off Celebration realized their shoreline fishing tournament is a change from bass fishing in the Waita Reservoir.
Holomua entered the contest itself as a new category for Invasives, extending the fishers’ concern to conservation and protection against invasive species.
People flocked to the Sense of Place cultural workshops, that was only added to the Koloa Plantation Days lineup recently. Under the guidance of Kumu Kaeo Bradford, the cultural workshops educated people on a range of subjects, including fine art kahili making and the woodworker Kumu Kenneth Bray’s investigation into the use of mahogany for the first time, after receiving several logs from an acquaintance. The response to the cultural, hands-on workshop forced a second session, this Friday, with classes at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Koloa Neighborhood Center.
More changes are in the works, especially for this weekend’s Park celebration featuring headliner Henry Kapono and the historic parade.
The Park Celebration, featuring craft vendors, food sales, keiki activities, historic exhibits, and entertainment, starts at 2 p.m. at Anne Knudsen Park. There is an admission fee.
The historic parade is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. from the Koloa Public &School Library parking lot and the parking lots of neighboring businesses and roads. Marty Kuala, who, along with her husband, owned and operated the Progressive Expression surf shop, will be the parade’s grand marshal.
Attendees can find a full schedule of classes and registration information on the Koloa Plantation Days workshop website at koloaplantationdays.com.
Source: The Garden Island
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