Koloa Plantation Days 2010
Nine days may not be enough time to complete all the activities slated for Koloa Plantation Days 2010. This huge festival from July 17 to 25 in the Koloa-Poipu area of Kauai will celebrate its historic plantation era where Hawaii’s first sugar plantation was built in 1835.
Over twenty events will honor the plantation heritage, the many ethnic groups that came to work on sugar plantations, and the Hawaiians who welcomed them. You will experience a diverse range activities, cultures, sports, live music, and local foods, as well as the opportunity to explore the area’s unique flora, fauna, geology, and archaeology.
Festival activities include:
- Historic Hapa Trail Walk
- Sunset Ho‘olaulea
- Paddle Fest
- Makawehi Sand Dune Walk
- Historic Video Night & Sugar Exhibit
- Koloa Plantation Days Craft Fair
- Ethnic Cooking Demo & Tasting
- Polynesian Revue & Fire Dancer
- Maha‘ulepu Coastal Hike
- Walk Through the Sugar Era at Old Kōloa Mill
- Old Koloa Town Historical Walk
- Annual Historic Parade & Park Celebration
- “Sweet Memories” Annual Parade followed by Festival
- TriKaua‘i Triathlon & Fun Run/Walk
- Plantation Days Rodeo
More details of each event on our Kauai Events Calendar.
Photo by Tim De La Vega.
Moir Gardens
The Moir Gardens (Pā‘ū a Laka) are botanical gardens in Poipu for all lovers of orchids. Hector Moir and his wife, Alexandra, received a gift of land from her father in the 1930′s. After clearing the land, the only vegetation around for miles was sugar cane, a few trees, and an abundance of lava rock. They built an elegant lava rock home. Ancient Hawaiians farmed in this rocky, arid area, channeling stream water in ditches (‘auwai). Remnant ‘auwai remain in the garden. In the 1930′s water for hobby gardening was scarce, so Mrs. Moir switched from tropical plants that required frequent watering to orchids, bromeliads, and succulents. She and their son, Eric, planted and watered the garden that you see today, featuring water lily lava rock ponds, koi, and a variety of orchid and cactus species. By 1948 the private gardens were reportedly identified as “one of the ten best cactus and succulent gardens in the world.” They opened to the public in 1954.
Today Moir Gardens is on the grounds of the Kiahuna Plantation in Poipu and open daily without charge. It is part of the Koloa Heritage Trail (Ka Ala Hele Waiwai Ho’olina o Koloa), and the inscription on the brass plaque reads: Pā‘ū a Laka (Moir Gardens). What began as a hobby garden by the Kōloa Plantation manager’s wife became celebrated as one of the world’s best of its kind. Numerous cactus planted in the 1930s thrived in the arid, rocky soil here. Many escaped to surrounding areas to become naturalized over time.
Pā‘ū a Laka means “skirt of the goddess Laka” in Hawaiian. It honors both Laka, the Hawaiian goddess of hula, and Kuka’ohi’aalaka, the rain god. Today, the area is called Kiahuna Plantation Resort, referring both to a nearby ancient temple, and to the sugar plantation era. Hector Moir was the last manager of Koloa Plantation before it changed hands in 1948.
Koloa Heritage Trail
The Koloa Heritage Trail (Ka Ala Hele Waiwai Ho’olina o Koloa) includes fourteen stops along a ten mile walk or ride with lava rock monuments and brass plaques describing the significance of each location. This adventure will lead you through five million years of exploration highlighting the natural history, archaeology, culture, people, and history of the Koloa District of Kauai.
The trail includes:
- Spouting Horn Park
- Prince Kuhio Birthplace and Park
- Hanaka`ape Bay and Koloa Landing
- Moir Gardens (Pā‘ū a Laka)
- Kihahouna Heiau
- Poipu Beach Park
- Keoneloa Bay
- Makawehi and Pa`a Dunes
- Pu`uwanawana Volcanic Cone
- Hapa Road
- Koloa Jodo Mission
- Sugar Monument
- Yamamoto Store and Koloa Hotel
- Koloa Missionary Church
Hawaiiana Festival
The Hawaiiana Festival is established to teach and perpetuate Native Hawaiian cultural practices and values. Located at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa in Poipu, numerous activities are available to involve visitors and residents in learning about different aspects of the Native Hawaiian culture, including wood carving, lauhala weaving, tapa-making, feather arts, poi pounding, the art of kakau (tattoo), stone carving, lei making, music, and dance. Many of these activities invite attendees to participate as part of a hands-on learning experience. We encourage you to enjoy, learn and experience the wealth of activities honoring Hawaii’s indigenous culture.
October 1
9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Intimate Craft Fair, where Kaua`i artisans share their knowledge
6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Grand Hyatt Kaua`i Lu`au (Call 808-240-6456 for reservations.)
October 2
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Crafters, Entertainment, Cultural Demonstrations, “Talk Story” sessions
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Artisans share their culture through their craft
La`au lapa`au – herbal remedies and uses
Pohaku Carving – display and demonstration
HueWai Carving – display and demonstrations
Kakau – Traditional Tatoo
Lau Hala – from the tree to bracelet, create your own bracelet
1:00 pm
Lomi demonstration
11:00 am, 2:00 pm, and 4:00 pm
“Ho’omana’o I Nā Wā I Huliau”(film of ancient Native Hawaiian images and stories) by Shane Tegarden with Sam Kaai and introduction by Kumu Charles Ka`upu
10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Hawaiian buffet lunch, featuring a diverse array of traditional Hawaiian lu`au foods and delicacies
October 3
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Crafters, Demonstrations, Workshops, and Entertainment
Learn to create your own carving implement
Kapa – the journey of kapa-making (material pounded and shaped from bark)
La`au Lapa`au – herbal remedies and uses
Pohaku (stone) carving – display and demonstration
Hue Wai (gourd) carving – display and demonstration
Kakau (traditional tatoo) demonstration•
Lau Hala (a frond used for weaving) – from tree to bracelet, create your own bracelet
7:00 pm
An Evening Under the Stars – a mixture of kahiko (dance) by the Kane of Ke-one-loa, and film of ancient Native Hawaiian images and stories “Ho’omana’o I Nā Wā I Huliau”.
