By Dennis Oda, Star-Bulletin
Tom Cummings, holding a Polynesian octopus lure,
will tell fish stories at the Waianae fest.
A celebration
of culture on the
Waianae Coast
Nanakuli's pride shows
By Kimberly Fu
in weeklong festival
Star-BulletinWhat started out as an event to celebrate a community and its culture turned into an opportunity to help community members get back on their feet. Nearly 14 months in the making, the Nanakuli Cultural Village, part of the Waianae Coast Community Cultural Festival, is ready to take wing. Festival officials said they hope the event will fly very high.
"We saw this (event) as an opportunity for community members to showcase their talents," said Mervina Cash-Kaeo, co-chair of the Festival Planning Committee. "It's amazing how assets you never knew you had just float to the surface."
Such is the case with Fred Pa'aluhi, 19, an aspiring fashion designer participating in the retail end of the festival. Pa'aluhi and Kehaulani Tehotu, 36, who has been selling her creations at craft fairs for five years, will hold a fashion show of their designs.
"I hope this festival gives (us) recognition," he said. "I hope to make new friends ... to eventually open a business." Pa'aluhi and Tehotu's combined collection includes items such as clothing for adults and children, accessories such as handbags and Tehotu's FIMO earrings.
Cash-Kaeo said the goal of the Nanakuli part of the festival is not only to educate people about the uniqueness of Nanakuli, but also to bring about economic change in the community.
"A lot of residents are on federal assistance, and that assistance is up for another cut," Cash-Kaeo said.
Resident participation in the festival supplements their incomes and tests the market for their crafts. If crafters receive a good response, they know they can make a living at it, she said.
Nanakuli residents participating in the festival received a crash course on starting and running an arts and crafts business, Cash-Kaeo said. Topics such as finances, pricing, eco-tourism and more were covered.
As a result, many vendors at the Nanakuli Cultural Village will offer activities such as walking/hiking tours, demonstrations, workshops and more. Nanakuli Ranch will offer horseback riding, a rare treat it does not offer year-round.
Entertainment is also a special part of the Nanakuli portion of the festival, with a wealth of "backyard bands" performing with a vengeance.
"We tried to get a lot of community entertainers to perform," said Black Ho'ohuli, co-chair of the Festival Planning Committee. "We have a lot of big acts, too."
Cash-Kaeo said many residents felt uncomfortable asking for payment in return for a bit of their knowledge. Thus, they decided to offer a host of freebies, including demonstrations on lauhala weaving and lomilomi, ukulele and hula lessons.
"They're just sharing their knowledge," Cash-Kaeo said.
The village serves as the hub of the festival because it is the only event that runs for its duration. A bus will shuttle visitors between all locations at two-hour intervals on each day of the festival.
The first trip starts at Nanakuli Homestead Saturday at 9:30 a.m., continues on to Nanakuli Beach Park, moves through Waianae and Makaha then returns to Nanakuli Homestead. Total travel time is about 90 minutes.
The village will be open Saturday through June 21 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily at Nanakuli Beach Park.
Wai'anae Coast
Community Cultural FestivalFeaturing: Hula, music, arts, crafts and foods, plus interpretive tours and displays
