Story by Rita Goldman
Every Easter weekend, the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, goes all out with its Celebration of the Arts: a celebration of all things Hawaiian. Those three days (April 10 through 12 this year) offer an exceptional exploration of Hawaiian art, culture, food, stories and more, much of it hands-on, and almost all of it free.
This year’s theme, He ‘Aina o na Anuenue (land of rainbows) is imbued with metaphor. “Each hue [can] represent an attitude, an experience, a blessing,” says Clifford Nae‘ole, the Ritz-Carlton’s cultural advisor. So it’s fitting that among the workshops, artists’ demonstrations, films and discussions by cultural practitioners, is a talk on na ho‘ailona o na anuenue: signs Hawaiians read in rainbows.
Other highlights include a look at the sacred bays of Maui’s legendary chief Pi‘ilani, a journey into cultural identity, and Hawaiian puppetry. And for kids: painting, crafts, outdoor activities (including an Easter egg hunt) and learning to count in Hawaiian.
Kumu hula Napua Grieg, Na Hoku Hanohano’s Female Vocalist of 2008, entertains at the Celebration Lu‘au on Saturday, April 11, along with her award-winning halau (troupe) Na Lei Kaumaka o Uka. Stick around for a free jam session at Celebration After Hours.
For more information on these and other activities, and for reservations to the lu‘au and Sunday’s Easter Brunch, call the Ritz-Carlton at 665-7084 or visit celebrationof thearts.org.
