Celebrate Micronesia Festival
Pacific Voices helped to open this year’s festival. Gif courtesy of the KKV Communications Team.
Each year, folks from the community gather at the Bishop Museum to experience the Celebrate Micronesia Festival. This year’s celebration was filled with vibrant colors, lively performances, retail vendors, informative booths, cultural activities, and a sense of community. Hoʻoulu ʻĀina, NieiRek, Seams Wonderful and Youth Services Program Pacific Voices helped to mark the third year of KKVʻs participation in the festival.
Pearl Sheck, Public Housing Coordinator, helps out at the Seams Wonderful booth. Photo courtesy of the KKV Communications Team.
Maria Oh, Seams Wonderful Program Coordinator, said members made 50 products to display at the festival. The variety of merchandise included handmade clothes, bags and accessories. Oh says it’s a long process to create a garment, but the participants are always proud of their products. At the end of the day, the program made more than $390.
Hoʻoulu ʻĀina shared their presence with waʻa (canoe) alongside the navigational organization Kānehūnāmoku Voyaging Academy. The waʻa were on display as examples of hand carved and fully operational sailing vessels. Kānehūnāmoku supplemented teachings of the waʻa with an interactive station about grandmaster navigator, Papa Mau Piailug.
NieiRek, KKV’s women of vision, featured their special embroidered skirts with a fashion show. Paulina Perman, Pacific Voices Community Coordinator, hosted the fashion show while announcing each woman’s specific color and design.
Eō Papa Mau! Beautiful waʻa sisters, Chichemeni Eoreni (back) & Ellen Eoreni (front), greet festival-goers as examples of a thriving culture. Photo courtesy of the KKV Communications Team.
May-Lynn Phillip poses with her Papa Mau bag. Photo courtesy of the KKV Communications Team.
Pacific Voices performed their powerful chants to open the festival and welcome festival-goers. The opening performance was then followed by an upbeat stick dance. The group had been rehearsing for the big day for over a month. “I’m so proud of Pacific Voices for opening the space,” says Perman. “We were prompt and timely. We held the spirit to open up the space, making sure the event was excellent and harmonious throughout.” Perman explained how the youth went above and beyond to fulfill their goals, making her proud. She was especially proud of the students for representing Kalihi well. “It’s so important for the little ones to be a part of their culture and carry it forward.”
