Kaʻū News Briefs Dec. 22, 2024

Kaʻū Taro Festival offered presentations on learning to plant taro and opportunities to take plants
and taro roots home to grow. OKK photo by Linda Davis

FIRST KĀNIWALA O KAʻŪ, THE KAʻŪ TARO FESTIVAL, drew growers from around the island to show it and Kaʻū residents to grow it. Organizers of the event held on Dec. 14, with Herkes Kaʻū District Gym as the main showroom, said they plan to make it an annual event. Its major sponsor is 'O Ka'ū Kākou and the organizer is Tim DeLozier, who chairs its scholarship committee.  He said all money raised from Kaʻū Taro Festival will fund its 2025 Scholarships for Kaʻū students in secondary and career training.

    DeLozier reported that more than $8,000 was raised for scholarships. In addition about $10,500 was taken in by food, arts, crafts and other vendors. To give additional contributions to the scholarship fund, see www.okaukakou.org/kau-taro-festival.

Several kinds of taro, some good for luau leaf, others for making poi
and other dishes, found new homes with those who attended 
Kaniwala Kalo O Kaʻū, the Taro Festival. OKK photo by Linda Davis

   During the festival, Ti Chun emceed. Auntie Paulette Ke and her 'ohana conducted an opening protocol. An Ali'i     County Council member Michelle Galimba inducted Kaʻū youth Ioane Naboa, Alazae Forcum, Lexi Manilla-Louis and Arabella Ortega to become Honorary Festival Ambassadors. They later rode in the  Pāhala Town Lighted Christmas Parade.

    Pāhala Hongwanji Taiko performed and its Youth Taiko Drummers presented their premiere performance.

    Rep. Jeanne Kapela presented a certificate of appreciation to OKK Pres. Wayne Kawachi from the state Senate and House of Representatives. It praises OKK for all of its community work and says this about the meaning of taro and kalo:

    "Throughout the history of Hawai'i, kalo has been a staple food for the people of Hawai'i and has served as a symbol of the deep connection between people and the land."

    It says, by organizing the Taro Festival, OKK "brings the community together to celebrate the cultural, economic, and historical significance of kalo, while using this event as a platform to raise funds and awareness for initiatives that directly benefit the people of Kaʻū."

    The commendation says, "The Legislature of the State of Hawai'i hereby recognizes and congratulates 'O Ka'ū Kākou for organizing Kāniwala Kalo O Kaʻū, applauds its commitment to community service an cultural preservation, and extends to the organization a heartfelt mahalo for its dedication to improving the lives of the people of Ka'ū."

Ioane Naboa, Alazae Forcum, Lexi Manilla-Louis and Arabella Ortega, the Youth

Ali'i Court for Kaʻū Taro Festival. OKK photo by Linda Davis

    The event also featured the hula of Na'a'ali'i, under the direction of Ulu Makuakane. South Hawai'i Symphony performed. Keoki Sereno sang and played 'ukulele as did Pahala Seniors.
     Taro farmers provided sales, displays and education. Artists and artisans honored taro in many forms from taro themed teddy bears, stained glass, jewelry, tiki and night lights, pottery and paintings to prints, fabrics, quilts, bags, woodworks and clothing to cuisine. Taro foods ranged from poi balls and kulolo and kalo mochi to taro smoothies and taro chips to kalo hummus and freeze dried pa'i'ai. 

Na 'A'ali'i, led by Ulu Makuakane danced for the first Kāniwala Kalo O Kaʻū, Kaʻū Taro Festival.
OKK photo by Linda Davis

Ulu Makuakane, who founded Na A'ali'i.
OKK photo by Linda Davis

    Sponsors included: OKK, Kaʻū Coffee Mill; Olson Trust; 'Ohana Foods in Hilo and Nāʻālehu; Mizuno Superette; CU Hawai'i Federal Credit Union; Luana Hospitality Group with Huggo's, On the Rocks, Lava Lava Beach Club and Kai Eats Drinks; Kaʻū Auto Repair; Punalu'u Bakeshop; Malama Kaʻū Foundation; Gone Fishing, Inc.; Hawai'i Energy; Backyard Monkey LLC Tree & Yard Service and The Club at Discovery Harbour.
    For more, see http://www.okaukakou.org/kau-taro-festival or call Tim DeLozier at 808-582-2342.

Aunty Paulette Ke and her 'ohana give the blessing for opening of the first Kaʻū Taro Festival. OKK photo by Linda Davis

Kaʻū Taro Festival organizer Tim DeLozier, a member of sponsoring organization OKK. Photo by Julia Neal

Members of Pāhala Hongwanji Taiko group, both youth and adults, performed
for the Kaʻū Taro Festival. OKK photo by Linda Davis

State Rep. Jeanne Kapela gives a commendation to OKK Pres.
Wayne Kawatchi. OKK photo by Linda Davis

Ti Chun emcee Taro Festival. OKK photo by Linda Davis

Much art about taro filled the Kaʻū Taro
Fest showroom. OKK photo by Linda Davis

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com

OKK's Market in Nāʻālehu will be Monday this week and next week
due to the holidays.