Festivals and Events

Poipu Beach is the center of cultural activity for the South Shore of Kauai, and plays host to many community events. Here you’ll find information on upcoming festivals, demonstrations, workshops, craft fairs, live music, entertainment and special events — all celebrating the Hawaiian culture and the Aloha Spirit.


NATIVE HAWAIIAN EVENTS PLANNED FOR OCTOBER 30TH THROUGH NOVEMBER 1ST AT THE GRAND HYATT KAUA`I RESORT AND SPA


Native Hawaiian health and cultural practices bring interactive educational experiences for residents and visitors through the Hawaiiana Festival, the Malama Ola Festival and the “Is Hawaiian Culture Alive and Well” conference, slated for the last week of October, 2008.


Hawaiiana Festival A trio of events established to teach and perpetuate
Native Hawaiian cultural practices and values is
slated for October 30th, 31st, and November 1st at the Grand Hyatt Kaua`i Resort and Spa in Po`ipu, Kaua`i. Encompassing the 16th annual Hawaiiana Festival, the 2nd annual Malama Ola Festival and the 3rd annual “Is Hawaiian Culture Alive and Well” conference, numerous activities are designed to involve visitors and residents in learning about different aspects of the Native Hawaiian culture.


Hawaiiana FestivalThe Hawaiiana Festival, surrounds teaching and demonstrations about a variety of Native Hawaiian cultural practices such as wood carving, lauhala weaving, tapa-making, feather arts, poi pounding, the art of kakau (tattoo), stone carving, lei making, music, and dance. Many of these activities invite attendees to participate as part of a hands on learning experience. Hawaiian food and entertainment is also planned during this festival including a lu`au.


Hawaiiana FestivalOn the same dates, a focus on Hawaiian healing practices will be presented in a series of health and wellness activities grouped together under the title, the Malama Ola Festival (to take care of life), taking place at the Grand Hyatt’s Anara Spa. Malama Ola provides opportunities for residents and visitors to partake in classes such as hula aerobics, Hawaiian martial arts, yoga, and lomi lomi massage. Also on the Malama Ola event list will be teaching and demonstrations of nose flute therapy, crystal use in healing, La`au lapa`au (uses of Hawaiian medicinal plants), the importance of mana (spirit) in health, the concepts of ho`oponopo (to make things right), and the healing fundamentals of ha (breath).


Hawaiiana FestivalOn Friday, October 31st the Hawai`i Hotel and Lodging Association - Kaua`i Chapter will present an all day conference offering a series of panel discussions titled “Is Hawaiian Culture Alive and Well”. Experts in Native Hawaiian cultural issues will discuss topics such as the connection of Kane to Hawaiian language and hula, issues surrounding Hawaiian ancestors and burials, marketing the Native Hawaiian culture, and the role of homosexuality in the Hawaiian culture.

All events are open to the public with most activities free of charge. There is a registration fee for the conference on Friday, October 31st. The Hawaiiana and Malama Ola Festivals are partially sponsored by the Hawai`i Tourism Authority and Kaua`i County. Friday’s conference is organized by the Kaua`i Chapter of the Hawai`i Hotel and Lodging Association. Other contributors to the events include the Po`ipu Beach Foundation and various businesses on Kaua`i’s south shore. For more information, contact Stella Burgess, sburgess@hyatt.com, 808-240-6369.


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