Clik here to view.
Guests examine the catch during Friday’s traditional hukilau at the Kahala Hotel and Resort. (Star-Advertiser photo by Michelle Ramos)
BY MICHELLE RAMOS / mramos@staradvertiser.com
The Kahala Hotel and Resort staged a traditional Hawaiian hukilau for guests on Friday in celebration of the Kahala’s 50th Golden Jubilee.
According to the Polynesian Cultural Center, hukilau is comprised of the Hawaiian words “huki,” or “to pull,” and “lau,” or “leaf.”
From the PCC website:
In the old days the village fishermen would watch for large schools of fish swimming fairly close to shore. They would then take their fishing nets, trimmed with pandanas leaves as floats, in little row boats out to sea. When they were about 200 yards away from the shore they would drop the nets encircling the school of fish. The villagers would then come down to the beach to help pull the fish filled nets to shore. All those who had helped to pull the heavy nets in, were rewarded with a portion of the catch.
During Friday’s event, Hawaiian Electric Company employees and several children from a local at-risk program helped retrieve fish from nets on the beach. Guests also enjoyed an extensive buffet and live entertainment.
The hotel plans to host additional events throughout the year to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
