Emma Rides Again At Koke‘e Fest

on October 22, 2012 at 4:33 pm

Sherri Patrick as Queen Emma. Photo courtesy Emalani Festival

Who better could have channeled the elegance of Queen Emma than the regal Sherri Patrick Oct. 13 at the 24th annual Eo e Emalani i Alaka‘i Festival sponsored by Hui o Laka and Koke’e Natural History Museum – with support from na poe hula, their families, musicians, and community volunteers. Patrick arrived on a beautiful horse at the cultural festival in Koke’e State Park at Kanaloahuluhulu Meadow fronting Koke’e Museum. The commemorative event honoring Queen Emma’s ascent into Koke’e in 1871 included daylong hula and Hawaiian music and oli, as well as a royal procession. The queen’s lady in waiting was Malia Kahaleinia Chun, her guide Harrom Hookano Kaili, and mistress of ceremonies was Aletha Puna Kaohi. Patrick says she was at first scared to ride on horseback, but recalling the spirit of the queen was her overall focus – that, and encouraging all the dancers who learned songs honoring the late queen. “It was an awesome opportunity to grow their confidence and hopefully support for Hui O Laka’s awesome work in Koke’e.” Spoken like a true leader and servant, Puni! Also making the event special was that participants were able to sample day-old and week-old poi (mahalo to the whole Makaweli Poi crew), and also share in the unpublished manuscript on kalo cultivation written by Queen Emma (thanks to Byrna Rose). To learn more about Hui O Laka, go to kokee.org …

Congratulations to Pono Tokioka and proud mom, Beth, who caddied for her son when he took eighth place in the Men’s Division (which had 55 players total) and was the highest-ranked U.S. player at the World Deaf Golf Championship in Tsu, Japan, at Tsu Country Club. Pono also won the long drive contest, smashing the ball 322 yards. Well done! …

It’s almost time for the MidWeek-sponsored 20th annual Kaua’i Slack Key Guitar Festival, which in years past has included prolific Hawaiian songwriters and ki ho ‘alu players Rev. Dennis Kamakahi, Makana and Ledward Kaapana, among others. Event coordinator and founder Milton Lau, who credits his passion for slack key guitar to his admiration of friend Gabby Pahinui, started the festival on Oahu in 1982 two years after Pahinui’s passing in homage to him. “I’ve been a musician a long time, but I always played Top ’40s stuff and that quickly got old for me,” Lau says. “I wanted something more, and (Gabby) inspired that.” So mark your calendars for Nov. 18 from noon to 6 p.m. at Kaua’i Beach Resort in Nukolii. Admission is free thanks to MidWeek‘s sponsorship, but a $10 donation is requested to benefit the Ki-ho alu Foundation, a nonprofit responsible for the statewide festival on the islands of Oahu, Maui, Hawaii and Kaua’i …

Pono Tokioka. Beth Tokioka photo

Deslynn Jacquias, owner of Kaua’i Girl Co. (think adorable local girl-style trucker hats and apparel) will unveil her newest design by graphic artist Layna Christian, a tribal design T-shirt, Saturday, Nov. 3, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Small Town Coffee in Kapa’a. To sweeten the deal, the first 50 customers will get a cupcake. Live entertainment also will be part of the mix. To learn more, go to face-book.com/kauaigirlstyle …

Maui-based husband-and-wife jazz team Phil and Angela Benoit will be on Kaua’i Nov. 17 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Kaua’i Community College Performing Arts Center. Angela was born in Paia, Maui, to a musical family, and Phil, from California and also born to a musical family, have been playing jazz for most of their lives. (Dad is jazz-great David Benoit). Phil and Gypsy Pacific also have performed with Willie Nelson at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center and at Charley’s in Paia. Tickets cost $30 and $10 for students.

Island School will host an event Monday, Oct. 29, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. that green marketing consultant Shel Horowitz calls “Making green sexy.” Tuition is $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Reserve space at HokuHouse.com or call Judah Freed at 639-7277…

Congratulations to the new Miss Kaua’i Veteran, Jackie Taylor. Taylor and others will participate in the Kaua’i Veterans Day Parade Nov. 10 in Kapa’a town. Taylor is the daughter of Richard and Kathie Taylor of Kekaha and is a senior at Waimea High School. She will receive a $1,000 scholarship along with the title and will represent the Veterans Council at selected events, and serve as ambassador to the community as well. In support of the American Legion Post 54‘s efforts, Kaua’i Veterans Museum at Kaua’i Veterans Center will be open to the public free of charge from Sunday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The public is invited to enjoya glance back into the past, and learn a little bit more of the men and women who served when summoned. Donations will be accepted. Kaua’i Veterans Center also invites vendors with lunch wagons to use its parking lot as a place of business for breakfast or lunch. Vendors can have tables and chairs with umbrellas ready for their customers’ use, and clean restrooms are available in the main facility. For more information, call Kaua’i Veterans Center at 246-1135, or email kauaivc@yahoo.com, or visit online at kauaiveteranscenter.com …

Deslynn Jacquias will unveil a new design

General Election early voting begins this week Tuesday, so pay a visit to the Elections Division of the Office of the County Clerk in the basement of the Historic County Annex located at 4386 Rice St. in Lihu’e. The annex is located next to the Historic County Building and was formerly occupied by the Department of Public Works and the Investigative Services Bureau of the Kaua’i Police Department.

Early voting is offered from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday, Oct. 23 to Nov. 3. Only properly registered voters of Kaua’i County are eligible. For additional information, call the Elections Division at 241-4800 …

Emma Rides Again At Koke‘e Fest

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