Government certificates, a gift basket of community-provided goodies, and a day of cultural presentations greeted the dozen kupuna being honored on Saturday during Na Kupuna O Kauai Legacy of Aloha From Mauka to Makai at the Lydgate Park Main Pavilion.
Presented by the group Na Kupuna O Kauai Legacy of Aloha From Mauka to Makai, this year’s field of honorees included kupuna Beverly A. Muraoka, Beverly Kauanui, Teipairu Manea, Alison Ebata, Herman Paleka, Kenneth K. Bray, Lee Ridley, Aletha K. Kaohi, Elaine Hironaka, Ray Nitta, Sherlin Belemina and Donna Lei Kirkpatrick.
Starting with a opening oli from Kumu Puna Dawson and New Hope Kauai Pastor Matt Higa, the process of honoring so many kupuna stretched into a day-long presentation of cultural dances, mele and well wishes from family and friends.
A “flower shower” with more than 1,000 flowers and Pride of India leaves covered the park and beachgoers, including members of the Friends of Lydgate and Kamalani Playground busy with its weekly Saturday cleanups.
The Mauka to Makai ceremonies served as a break for entertainer Haunami Kaui of Tropical Groove whose weekend tour started with the kupuna luncheon on Thursday hosted by the Salvation Army, Hanapepe Corps, and ended on Saturday night with the presentation at the Help Feed Kauai Free Music Festival at the Anahola Marketplace.
The youth and keiki taiko drummers from Tsunami Taiko with Joanne Parongao effectively broke up the string of hula performances from groups including Halau Hula Na Lei Kupuna O Kauai with Kumu Hula Susan Painiu Floyd and Hoopaa Fern Merle Jones, Hui Hula O Kehaulani Halau with Kumu Hula Aunty Bev Kauanui, and Kumu Lei Hiilani and Halau Ka Lei Kukui Hiilani.
Japanese dance was offered by the Kauai Shinbuyo Kai, and Nancy Pigao and the Lihue Senior Center dancers offered the Filipino dance program between the vendor tents offering a variety of cultural craft workshops, health services and retail items.
Council Chair Mel Rapozo and Councilmembers Kipukai Kualii and Fern Holland doubled as representatives for Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami in presenting certificates from the Mayor’s Office and the Kauai County Council.
Throughout the day, monitors inside the main pavilion kept an eye on the battery of clipboards soliciting nominations for next year’s Na Kupuna O Kauai Legacy of Aloha From Mauka to Makai.
Source: The Garden Island