TGIFRIDAY | MAY 31, 2013 | 9
E8B8C>AB :0<008=0 B>0: 8= 2D;CDA4 DARIN MORIKI TGI FRIDAY
Kuilen Asuncion of Kapaa, left, and Matt Victorino of Kapaa.
Hinahea Muli of Kapaa, left, and Matilda Fifita of Kapaa.
Mayumi Baptiste and Sofia Baptiste of Hanapepe, plus Sophie Morris and Ashley Diaz of Kalaheo.
The diverse island-nation cultures of Polynesia took center stage last weekend at Vidinha Stadium soccer fields, where residents and visitors were treated to several days of entertainment, crafts and workshops. The festival, now in its 12th year, featured Tahitian, Maori, Samoan and Hawaiian entertainment that included several rounds of solo and group dance competitions that were spread out through the three-day event. As a part of the experience, attendees also immersed themselves in traditional Polynesian arts and craft workshops held May Friday and Saturday afternoon, where they learned weaving techniques using coconut and hala tree fronds, husked coconuts, danced the hula and made ti-leaf leis. In addition to traditional and modern Polynesian performances from several island hula halaus, the Oahu-based Hawaiian Contemporary group FAB4 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; consisting of four Hawaii Stars winners â&#x20AC;&#x201D; made three appearances throughout the festival. The Kamanawa Foundation, a Kauai-based nonprofit organization, spearheaded this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s festival efforts and received support from 23 sponsors.