Taro Festival Part Three

Martha Stewart Does Not Have A Monopoly On A “Good Thing”

I had been in a hurry to get to the festival that morning. I quickly had a cup of coffee and off I drove. If this was a true festival I knew there would be lots of food to buy so I wasn’t going to waste time eating breakfast.

The very first thing that they offered were, free samples of Poi. Of course. What would a Taro Festival be without poi? I picked up a sample and was tempted to just stay there and eat each one but not wanting to look like a glutton I moved on.

Poi Samples

As I started to move through the crowd I noticed a tent full of plants. I can’t help but check out plants where ever I go. I love gardening but lately with taking care of the new puppy all my plants are suffering as I have not even been able to water them. But I could not help myself so I went over to the tent to see what their offerings were.

Indigenous plant of Hawaii

It was filled with indigenous plants of Hawaii. I was delighted. I have been reading about the state trying to encourage planting Hawaiian plants as they are much better for the environment and grow well, of course, in our weather conditions. I’ve slowly been adding them to the garden but they can be quite expensive so I have not bought to many of them.

But here at this festival they were quite reasonable. So I picked up a few stocks of sugar cane. This is quite a weedy looking plant when full grown but I thought it would look nice as  a nice tall grass if I can find the right spot in the garden. Of course my garden is so overgrown there never is the right spot. But none the less I was optimistic.

Sugar Cane

I also picked up a Hilieʻe or Hawaiian White Plumbago commonly know as White Lead-wort. I was ecstatic when the plant seller offered me a free Hawaiian Ginger plant too. So this was turning out to be a great morning. I asked her to hold on to the plants until I was finished walking around. She secured them in the back of her tent and off I went. Here is a site to go to if you would like to see what the White Plumbago looks like Native Plants Hawaii – Viewing Plant : Plumbago zeylanica.

Of course their were the loose flowers being sold. The orchids are always my favorite to photograph.Red Ginger and Yellow Heliconia (I think)

Heliconia

A variety of Orchids

I just thought these eggplant were colorful so I took a photo of them

After taking in all the flowers I found a food booth. I chose the fresh Ono (fish) otherwise known as Wahoo. The fish was fried in a cornmeal batter. It was accompanied by a very good salad with homemade Pesto dressing.

These were the choice of Lunch plates. I chose the fried fish w/ brown rice ( in the middle)

After I picked up my plate lunch I went and sat under the entertainment tent. Usually I don’t like to go where ever music is playing in a public place. It seems that  the groups always compensate for whatever they are lacking in talent by turning up the speakers to loud.

But this group, called Kupaʻaina, were such a pleasant, well blending  and entertaining group. They sang many of the old Hawaiian songs that I enjoy. It was a wonderful way to enjoy a meal.

Kupaʻaina My lunch time entertainment

I had been at the festival for almost four hours. Reluctently I had to start to head home. My daughter had given me the morning off from taking care of the puppy. But as they say all good things must come to an end. I picked up my plants and started to head back to the car.

Yes, I must say that  my morning had definitely  been a good thing.

 

Haleiwa Taro Festival Part 2

 

Konane

One  thing about going to a festival such as this one is you find very nicely crafted items. When ever my friends visit the islands I always recommend that they by local. Many things that you see in the stores are made in the Hawaiian style but are made in other countries, mainly China. When you go to open markets or festivals there are local made items maed by local people. The above game is a very nice example. I’ve never played it but I was told it was like checkers. Though looking at it, I would say it is a lot more complicated.

I’ve included a link here that tells you all about the game, what was used and how to play it in case you decide to pick one up from a local craftsman.

http://www.k12.hi.us/~gkaapuni/konane.htm

 

Right next to the  game are Hawaiian instruments.  The Uli Uli is like a rattle.It is used when dancing the Hula.  It is either made from a coconut shell or a gourd. The inside of the gourd is filled with small seeds or pebbles. The top might be decorated with a circular piece of Kapa (Hawaiian cloth made from the bark of a tree) and feathers that will move in the breeze.(Left) Pu Ohe (Far Right with holes) Ohe Hano Ihu

The Pu Ohe is a bamboo trumpet. It has a deep sound  somewhat like a conch shell. In ancient Hawaii it could have been used to call one another in the deep cliffs of a ahupuaa (one of many divided districts on the islands.) Today you will hear it when chants are being performed.

Demonstrating the Bamboo trumpet (and she didn’t charge to take her photo)

The Ohe Hano Ihu is more commonly known as a nose flute. This instrument is played just as the name implies, by blowing into it with one side of your nose.

Felted Hula Dolls by Wee Wonders

(shizen@hawaiiantel.net)

There is even a selection of items for the more traditional shoppers. These dolls are hand felted from 100% wool. I do felting myself so I can tell you that these are very well made and there was quite a variety of dolls to choose from. I’ve included the  email in case anyone would want to inquire about these.

Bantam Chicken

Yes they even had bantam chickens for sale. The one above who was sitting in her own personal chair happened to be the owners pet so she was not for sale. But isn’t she just so cute.

There were many, many other things for sale. I will cover a few of them in my third part of my visit to the festival. If you would like to see all of the offerings you will have to try and get to one of the many events that go on throughout the island.