‘Imiloa Astronomy Center, in partnership with Lonoa Honua and Ohana Waa, is hosting the ‘Ikuwa Festival this weekend.
This two-day festival “celebrates the interconnectedness of individuals, communities and the natural resources and landscapes we call home,” according to a press release.
“We are thrilled to be able to host this festival at our ‘Imiloa facility with our partner organizations,” ‘Imiloa Executive Director Ka‘iu Kimura said in the press release.
“We’ve traditionally held our Wayfinding Festival during October, and this ‘Ikuwa Festival is an expansion of that. We’ll have similar activities and presentations with additional engagement opportunities to further weave the ‘web’ of relationships from ma uka to ma kai that are represented on the canoe.”
Participants can expect to re-engage the local community creatively and enhance “island consciousness” — what it means to live and think like an island community, and recognize what impact people have on this aina.
This ‘Ikuwa season allows attendees to grow interconnected awareness with others, with place, with plants, trees, birds, ocean, fish, water, sky and stars, according to the release.
‘Ikuwa Festival is a free-admission event for the public and will feature informational and hands-on activity booths, local vendors and food.
Additionally, the festival will showcase wa‘a, host Makahiki games, oli competitions, live presentations and entertainment, and more.
Programs will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday at ‘Imiloa, located at 600 ‘Imiloa Place in Hilo.
‘Ikuwa Festival is made possible with the support of the Ama OluKai Foundation.
Donations for the ‘Ikuwa Festival can be accepted at ‘Imiloa’s Front Desk.
For inquiries from the public, please contact info.imiloa@hawaii.edu.
Face masks will not be required at this event.
Close contact individuals are asked to mask indoor and outdoor, and individuals exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms are asked to stay home.