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Why we recommend staying in a Kauai vacation rental for Prince Kuhio Day celebration?  Kauai offers a full week of fun Hawaiian culture festivities in honor of Prince Kuhio.  Now’s the time to secure your accommodations in Kauai.  Poipu vacation rentals are ideal for celebrating this wonderful event.  You can choose from many of the Poipu condo resorts and hotels, or perhaps stay in a more private Poipu home rental.  If you opt for a hotel accommodation the Grand Hyatt, Kauai Marriott, or Sheraton Poipu are great choices.  However, I recommend you stay in a privately owned Poipu rental.

Prince Kuhio Day is celebrated in Hawaii annually on March 26 as an official holiday to mark the birth of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaʻole. It is one of only two holidays in the United States dedicated to royalty, the other being Hawaii’s King Kamehameha Day June 11.

Born on March 26, 1871 Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole and was raised in Koloa on the island of Kauai. He studied for four years at St. Matthew’s College in California, the royal Agricultural College in England, and then eventually graduated from a business school also in England. In 1919 Kuhio introduced in Congress the first-ever Hawaii Statehood Act, but it would be another 40 years before seeing fruition. He was elected as Hawaii’s congressional delegate for 10 consecutive terms. While a delegate of Congress, he won passage of the Hawaiian Homes Act, creating the Hawaiian Homes Commission and setting aside 200,000 acres of land for Hawaiian homesteaders.

Prince Kuhio, who was known for dedicating his life to the future of the Native Hawaiian people, will be celebrated during nine days of events between March 19th and 27th on Kauai. Festivies for the Prince Kuhio Celebration include Hawaiian music, dance, cultural practices, food, history, and sports competition. There will be a lu’au, Hawaiian music performances, ukulele workshops, and hula lessons. There will be historical lessons about salt-making, native flora and fauna, Hawaiian proverbs, feather arts, and lei making. Sports competitions will include the Prince Kuhio long-distance canoe race and the Prince Kuhio amateur boxing championships.

The Prince Kuhio Celebration on Kauai is nine days of festivities, March 19 thru 27, honoring the birthday and birthplace of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole.

Saturday, March 19
Prince Kuhio Long Distance Canoe Race
Kalapaki Beach to Hanama`ulu & Po`ipu.
8:00 am Women / Mix Event: Kalapaki Beach to Hanama`ulu, return to Kalapaki
10:00 am Men’s Event: Kalapaki to Poipu Beach.
1:00 pm Awards at Poipu Beach Park.
Call Pomai Kane, 808-651-2996, for information

Sunday, March 20
1:00 to 3:00 pm
Wisdom of the Kupuna from the ‘Olelo No`eau (Hawaiian proverbs). Hear the wisdom of the kupuna (Hawaiian elders, knowledgeable ones) about how ‘Olelo No’eau (Hawaiian proverbs) apply to modern day times.
At the National Tropical Botanical Garden on Lawai Road. 808-742-2433

5:30 to 9:00 pm
Ukulele Lessons, (beginners)
Learn basic chords and simple ukulele strumming techniques on this instrument made popular by Hawaiian musicians. Space is limited for these half-hour classes. Registration is required. Children 5 -12 years need a parent to be there. Open to the public, no charge.
At Grand Hyatt Kaua`i Resort and Spa. Call 808-240-6369 to register.

Monday, March 21
9:00 to 11:30 am
Pa`akai (the art and culture of Hawaiian salt making)
If you are touring on the west side of the island stop by Salt Pond Park at Pu`olo Point (east) side of the park in Hanapepe and visit with `Anake (Aunty) Janet Kahalekomo and her `ohana (family) as they share their history and knowledge of salt cultivation on Kaua`i. At Salt Pond Park, Hanapepe.

6:00 to 9:00 pm
E Kanikapila Kakou “Hula and Harmony”
Jeff Peterson and Chino Montero — two of the best guitar players in the state team for an evening of slack key. Chino Montero was the former lead guitarist for the Hawaiian band Palolo. He has performed and recorded with the best of Hawaii’s artists. Peterson has contributed to two Grammy Award-winning recordings and has been honored with three Na Hōkū Hanohano Awards in Hawai`i. His latest solo CD, Maui on My Mind, was recognized as the Slack Key Album of the Year in 2010. Contact: Garden Island Arts Council, Carol Yotsuda, giac@hawaiilink.net.
At Kauai Beach Resort, Nukolii (next to Wailua Golf Course).

Tuesday, March 22
5:30 to 8:45 pm
A Royal Dinner and Hawaiian Fashion Contest
In celebration of Prince Kuhio, a special Hawaiian dinner including lau lau with fish, pork, beef, kalo and luau leaf plus rice, poi, jicama and tomato salad then topped off with haupia and sweet potato pie will be prepared at this popular and historic restaurant. A “special” cocktail will also be offered for the evening as well as the restaurant’s extraordinary dinner selections. A roving Hawaiian duo will be on hand from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. to entertain you with classic Hawaiian music. Guests are invited to dress in their finest Hawaiian attire. Judging will be conducted with a “secret” panel of judges throughout the evening. Call Mona Gonzaldo, 808-742-2121 for reservations.
At Plantation Gardens restaurant, Koloa

Wednesday, March 23
10:00 to 11:00 am
“Talk Story,”about area culture, flora, and history
Join Troy Lazaro and the Wai`ohai mea ho`okipa (employees) as they share flora and fauna and the rich history of Kaukahoku. Listen and learn as they tell the stories under the Kamani tree of the area’s history, culture and of the Kihaouna Heiau (sacred temple/area). Open to the public. For information call Troy Lazaro, 742-4400.
At Marriott’s Wai`ohai Beach Club, Koloa

4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
“Taste of the Islands”
Come and enjoy the musical renditions of Jonathon Rivera and Pali Carbonel. Pa Hula Na Kane o Keoneloa (male hula halau), from the South Shore will present a culinary tasting of island treats at 5:00 p.m. near the Kaua`i Culinary Market. Treats include Chinese almond cookies, Portuguese malasadas, banana/sweet potato lumpia, home made sugar cookie ice cream sandwiches and chocolate chip cookies. There will be lei-making, weaving demonstrations, items for sale and a “talk story” session on pa`akai (salt-making). A sunset ceremony is planned to include chants and torch-lighting. The Kauai Culinary Market provides products grown on island farms such as fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers and Kaua’i produced spices and preserves.
At Kukuiula Village

Thursday, March 24
4:30 – 5:30 pm
Hula Kahiko (ancient dance)
The Story of Hula – chants and kinolau (plants) as they relate to hula kahiko (ancient). Hula kahiko is not only the dance, kahiko entails chants, gathering plants (kinolau), and the creation of lei. Please join us as we share our culture through chants that are significant for gathering, learn a hula kahiko, and the creation of our kupe`e (bracelets). For information call 808-240-6369.

6:00 – 8:30 pm
Lu’au in Celebration of Prince Kuhio’s birthday
E Komo Mai! As part of the Prince Kuhio Celebration, please join us for the Grand Hyatt Kaua`i Lu`au. For this occasion and with respect to our ali`i (Hawaiian royalty), the lu`au will open with special Hawaiian chants, song and dance by Sandra Quinsaat and Paul Kekai Kapu, including the sweet mele (music) for the `ohe ihu hano (nose flute). Hawaiian and local foods will be served and you will be entertained with an evening of Polynesian culture. For reservations, please call the concierge, (808) 240-6456.
At the Grand Hyatt Kaua`i Resort and Spa

Friday, March 25
5:00 pm Doors Open; fights begin at 6:00 pm
First Annual Prince Kuhio/PAL Hawai`i State Amateur Boxing Championships
Watch some of Hawaii’s finest amateur youth boxers compete in this championship event. Tickets are $5.00 in advance or $8.00 at the door. Call Mark Ozaki at 808-652-6999 for ticket locations.
At Kauai Veterans Memorial Convention Hall, Lihue

6:00 – 9:30 pm
Evening of Hawaiian Entertainment
Come enjoy hearing some outstanding Hawaiian musicians for an evening of song and instrumentals.
6:00 – 8:00 pm – Torch lighting, Hawaiian soloist and Hawaiian dance.
8:00 – 9:00 pm – Hear the extraordinary sounds of Ledward Ka`apana and Mike Ka`awa, award-winning slack key guitarists and considered legendary masters of Hawaiian music.
9:00 pm – Hear the unique voice of Kamakakehau Fernandez, an award winning falsetto entertainer. Kamakakehau brings a Hawaiian operatic style to his music.
At the Grand Hyatt Kaua`i Resort and Spa

Saturday, March 26
10:00 – 11:30 am
Prince Kuhio Commemorative Ceremonies
As part of the Prince Kuhio Celebration and in honor of his birthday, come observe the Native Hawaiian protocol of honoring ali`i (royalty) through giving ho`okupu (offerings, gifts) and through dance and singing. Join us on the day of Prince Kuhio’s birth near the location where he was born to celebrate his achievements and his importance to the people of Hawaii. Open to the public at no charge.
At Prince Kuhio Park on Lawai Road

9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Cultural Demonstrations, Entertainment, and Craft Fair
Numerous activities and Hawaiian cultural demonstrations. Presentations and lectures are given by some of Hawai`i’s most prestigious weavers, carvers, feather arts, healing arts, lei makers, nose flute carvers and kapa-makers. Call 240-6369 for more information.
At the Grand Hyatt Kaua`i Resort and Spa 1571 Po`ipu Road, Pa`a, Koloa at Seaview Terrace, `Ilima & Stevensons Foyer, Atrium
9:00 am – Taiko Drummers, by Tsuami Taiko, Atrium
Let the drums set the tone, let our young people share their rhythmic sounds of the drums with you.
9:30 am – Hawaiian Contemporary Music by Haunani Kaui & Elaine Watson
11:30 am – Contemporary Hawaiian Duo by Charles Iona
1:30 pm – Contemporary Hawaiian Duo by Kekai Chock
10:00 to 3:00 pm – Take part in a series of hands-on demonstrations and lectures about Hawaii’s unique cultural customs, arts and crafts. Ho`oulana i ka lau niu (coconut frond weaving) demonstrations by Aunty Janet Kahalekomom & Ohana. The coconut was not only a source of food, but the trunk of the tree was used in making pahu (drum). Bowls, fans and carrying baskets were also made from its leaves. Items will be on sale. Na Mea Hulu (feather work) demonstration and teaching by Mele. Learn how feathers were used to fashion decor and ornamentation. Create your own feather bracelet (fee). Ho`okuina le pua (flower lei-making) demonstration and teaching. Learn how to string a lei out of flowers (no charge).
5:30 pm – Taiko Drummers
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm – Torchlighting, musicians and keiki (children’s) hula
8:00 pm – Na Kane O Keoneloa

Sunday, March 27
11:00 pm Doors open. Matches begin at noon.
First Annual Prince Kuhio/PAL Hawai`i State Amateur Boxing Championships
Watch some of Hawaii’s finest amateur youth boxers compete in this championship event. Tickest are $5.00 in advance or $8.00 at the door. Call Marc at 808-652-6999 for ticket locations.
At Kauai Veterans Memorial Convention Hall, Lihue