Don’t miss the special Portuguese “Soup-er Bowl” from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 7, at Gilbert Carvalho Park in Hilo.
Don’t miss the special Portuguese “Soup-er Bowl” from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 7, at Gilbert Carvalho Park in Hilo.
For the 22nd year, the Hawaii Island Portuguese Chamber of Commerce will treat the community to freshly made Portuguese bean soup made in the park’s kitchen and milk bread from the park’s stone oven.
The event also will launch the fundraising campaign to build a Portuguese Cultural and Educational Center in Hilo at the corner of Ponahawai and Komohana streets overlooking Hilo Bay. The land was donated by Frank DeLuz III, original and current HIPCC board member and former president.
“The center will tell the story of the golden age of Portugal during its 14th and 15th century explorations to share the rich history the Portuguese immigrants brought with them as they left their homes never to return,” said Marlene Hapai, HIPCC president.
Hapai said the center story will culminate with the assimilation of the Portuguese into Hawaii’s culture, sharing its music, food, dance and contributing to the paniolo tradition, founding many of Hawaii’s small towns and producing many community leaders.
“It also will feature the use of technology to facilitate family reunions between those who have never met and cannot afford travel to do so,” she said.
Hapai recently submitted a grant to help cover costs, but much support is needed. HIPCC formed a nonprofit in 2002 for this purpose.
This year’s event once again will feature Portuguese music presented by the Hawaii County Band. All will be treated to the singing of Portuguese songs and get to participate in Portuguese folk dancing.
Learn how to play the Portuguese card game Bishca, compliments of the Portuguese Cultural Club of Hamakua, sit down at the Portuguese language table and learn a few words, or research your Portuguese ancestry through the ship manifests and logs that brought the original Portuguese to Hawaii.
And, of course, come to buy and eat the delicious food the Portuguese are known for, including fresh malasadas (doughnuts), pao doce (sweetbread), cebolas (pickled onions), homemade Portuguese linguica (sausage) and Portuguese hot dogs.
Special Dennis Aguiar Portuguese Day in the Park T-shirts and totes also will be sold.
Portuguese singing and dancing will begin at 10 a.m. and the Hawaii County Band plays at 11.
At noon, Portuguese bean sopa (soup) and bread baked in the forno (stone oven) will be served to all compliments of HIPCC as its way of sharing the Portuguese culture with the community they so love.
As their motto goes: “Somos todos Portugueses!” “We are all Portuguese!”