The countdown continues.... The excitement. The enchantment. The anxiousness of the dancers as they practice and get ready to put on a show for all. The costumes. The accessories. The practices as they perfect their routines. The culture. The mana. The pride as they bring you dances from the Polynesian Islands.
Audience, be prepared to journey into lands that will leave you filled with love and happiness. Get your tickets here.
The dancers, families, and friends of Kaleinani o ke Kukui have provided fabulous ono dishes from their homes and put together this wonderful cookbook, "A Taste of Kaleinani". From Hawaiian to Indonesian, recipes for shoyu chicken, kelaguin, adobo, and beer in da okole chicken can be found inside. Cookbooks are $10 each and will be sold at the Lu`au or you can purchase them online here. Recipes range from pupus, to main dishes, side dishes, desserts and drinks. Over 250 recipes. What a bargain!
Our goal is to promote Hawaiian language in our community, an endeavor that builds understanding of our Hawaiian culture and history Who: Teachers are Laʻakea Byrne and Waialoha Marquoit. Curriculum is that of Tuti Kanahele.
What: Using the Silent Method, we will teach beginning ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language). This is the style of teaching used to assist parents whose children attend the immersion programs so that they can continue speaking Hawaiian at home.
When: Monday thru Friday, March 16 - March 20. 7pm to 9pm each night.
Where: Beaverton, OR Cost: $100 per person, includes materials
To sign up, call or email Waialoha at 503-718-7050 or waialoha@kekukuifoundation.com. Class is limited to 12 people... first-come, first-served
With the arrival of Spring brings Ke Kukui's annual May Day is Lei Day Festival. We'll be bringing the scent of fresh flowers and a reminder to all that summer is just around the corner. Hula performances from Washington and Oregon halau, Hawaiian and locals favorite foods, Hawaiian music, as well as arts and crafts vendors from around the Pacific Northwest makes this spring event a hit.
To be a vendor please contact: elsie@kekukuifoundation.com
Mary Louise "Aunty Mary Lou" Kaleonahenahe Wentworth Peck Kekuewa died on November 18, 2008. She was 82.
Aunty Mary Lou was widely known as a foremost expert in the art of Hawaiian featherwork. While her knowledge and artistry were highly respected, she herself was deeply loved. She willingly taught anyone who wanted to learn and filled their lessons with stories of her life and lessons for theirs. She and her daughter Aunty Paulette taught at two of our workshops in Vancouver and we are so honored to have had them come and share their craft. "We do this for Hawaiians," she would say. "This is the beauty of our Hawaiian people. This is something that makes us proud. We pray when we start, we pray when we're finished. You don't just throw this stuff together."
By Katharine Byerly
It was a Wednesday in the middle of November that Deva came to class and told us that our Feather Lady, Aunty Mary Lou Kekuewa had passed away. And a voice from the back of the room asked if that was the lady with the beautiful white hair, and everyone in the room over twenty-five nodded yes. She was an Aloha Week Queen for one year, and regal always. Meticulous in her work, that was how she taught us too. A terror with her scissors, if it wasn't right out came the snips and she would take an hours work apart in minutes. That was her discipline. If feathers are the jewels of Hawaiian royalty let's not be shabby in our workmanship. And while we worked, she told us stories.
The last time I saw her at Merrie Monarch she told me she was part Japanese, part Scotch-Irish, part Portuguese and for all I can remember part Eskimo – but her punch line was – so of course she was 100% Hawaiian! Then impressed that my husband was an engineer, she assured him he would be great at feather work. Why miss an opportunity to recruit? You see how her strong mana lingers? I have been so blessed to know both her and her daughter Paulette Kahalepuna. I had a little note from Paulette after the funeral. She told me not to worry, “Mom’s still in control”.
On the night of July 24th, be sure to be at Esther Short Park in downtown Vancouver for the Hapa Haole Hula Competition. Previously put on by Pa`i Foundation in both Las Vegas and Honolulu - this year it is coming to the 'Couv. Hapa Haole music was an instrumental part of Hawaiian musical history during the 1920s to 50s Territorial Era. Area groups and soloists of all ages and genders will be competing.
For more information about the event or to compete in the Hapa Haole Hula Competition, please email us at: info@kekukuifoundation.com.
This years Ho`ike and Hawaiian Festival will be 11am to 7pm on Saturday the 25th of July at Esther Short Park in Downtown Vancouver. The evening prior, on Friday we'll be hosting the exciting Hapa Haole Hula Competition.
Over 8,000 visitors have swayed to the rhythm as hula dancers, Portland, Taiko, Native Tribal dancers, and Polynesian singers filled the park with the heartbeat of their cultures. With over 40 arts and crafts vendors, 15 food vendors, and kids activities, this now two-day long outdoor festival is considered the third largest annual event at Esther Short Park. Nominated Outstanding Event by the Clark County Tourism Commission, two years in a row. This is a free event.
To be a vendor, please contact Elsie at: elsie@kekukuifoundation.com. Mahalo.
Ke Kukui Founation is always looking for groups and businesses to partner with and help bring the Aloha to the Pacific Northwest. If you would like to volunteer, donate, become a sponsor or vendor - let us know. We are only successful because of the hard work and generosity of our many volunteers and sponsors. Mahalo to all who kokua (help). Email us at: info@kekukuifoundation.com
Advertise your business at one of our upcoming events. Ad specs and prices for events can be downloaded here.
