Welcome to Waianae

Celebrate the tastes
and talents of the Leeward
Coast for eight weeks

By Kekoa Catherine Enomoto
Star-Bulletin

Why wonderful Waianae over the next eight weeks?

The second annual "Ua Mau Na Po'e O Wai'anae" (Steadfast People of Wai'anae) cultural festival features successive weekends of fishing; storytelling; lua (martial arts); a celebration of the late Waianae celebrities Rell Sunn and Israel Kamakawiwo'ole; youth art; and four stages of entertainment plus gourmet tasting of Waianae produce.

All events are free and each weekend features a festival with entertainment, foods, arts, crafts, interactive displays and exhibits:

Ho'olaulea: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Kaupuni Park, Kaupuni Street, Waianae. Headliners are Haunani Apoliona, Jerry Santos, Tenderoni, Noelani Cypriano and Lehua Dance Company.

Cultural village: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. June 20, Nanakuli Beach Park. Opening ceremonies include Pa Ku'i A Lua martial artists, followed later in the day by a fashion show.

Makaha ho'olaulea: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 11, 'Ohikilolo Ranch, Makua. Headliners are Tenderoni and former Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau member Mel Amina performing and talking story. Memorial hookupu (gifts) at 12:45 p.m. for Sunn, and at 3 p.m. for Kamakawiwo'ole.

Taste of Wai'anae block party: noon to 10 p.m. August 8, Waianae Mall. Headliners are O'Brian Eselu, Hapa, Ho'opi'i Brothers, Kapena, the Krush and Na Leo Pilimehana. Also, sample Waianae produce prepared by chefs from Ritz-Carlton Kapalua and Royal Lahaina Resort.

Also this weekend: The largest fishing tourney in the state -- 'Ahi Fever on Saturday and Sunday -- offers free boat rides. The public can view fish weigh-ins 4 to 6 p.m. both days, with awards at 5 p.m. Sunday.

And, kumu hula John Lake launches six nights of storytelling with a two-part series on hula kii (puppet hula) Sunday and Tuesday.

Nightly programs feature arts, crafts and foods from 5 p.m., entertainment at 6 p.m. and stories 7 to 8:30 p.m. Other storytellers are Gordon Freitas, Glen Grant, Jeff Greer and Emil Wolfgramm.

More events include a three-Saturday "Community Building -- Wai'anae Style" University of Hawaii class, starting Saturday ("PLAN399/N5023," 2 credits, $255, call 956-7866); three-hour cultural experience June 27 at Ka'ala Learning Center, Waianae (register at this Saturday's hoolaulea); and youth art exhibit, noon to 6 p.m. July 13 through Aug. 8, Waianae Mall.

For information on all activities, call 696-1217.