WAIMEA TOWN CELEBRATION 2023

from For Kauai February 2023

by For Kauai

Humpback Whale Season

CELEBRATING OUR HISTORY & WESTSIDE COMMUNITY

FEBRUARY 18 - 25, 2023

CELEBRATING OUR HISTORY & WESTSIDE COMMUNITY

FEBRUARY 18 - 25, 2023

AN 8-DAY FESTIVAL OF CONCERTS, COMPETITIONS AND CULTURAL EVENTS BEGINNING PRESIDENT’S DAY WEEKEND! FEB 18 - 26, 2023

46TH ANNUAL CELEBRATION

Kaua’i’s largest and longest-running festival held in the plantation town of Waimea...a place to discover the real Kaua’i.

Take a step back into old Hawai’i, where the town takes care of its people and everyone contributes something towards the fun!

BIGGEST & BEST KAUA’I CONCERTS

Waimea Town Celebration really knows how to put on a show with an impressive list of bands and local entertainers! Our 2-day finale ho’olaule’a is like a huge block party featuring Hawaiian music, entertainment, arts and crafts, island cuisine and a beer garden.

Celebration Of Hawaiian Culture

Our local westside community spends 8 days annually celebrating our cultural heritage. The opening weekend of Waimea Town Celebration features the Kaumuali’i Lu’au that honors Kauai’s favorite King with hula and music by award winning kumu hula Troy Hinano Lazaro.

Diverse Blend Of Events

From 2k, 5k, 10k runs and long distance canoe races to storytelling and rodeos, there’s something for everyone! Our values of commUNITY and aloha are generously poured into each of our events. Be a spectator or join in on the fun. All are welcome. ICE

2023 OPENING WEEKEND EVENTS

02.18.23 - SATURDAY 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM

KAUA’I COCKTAILS & CUISINE AT THE HISTORIC WAIMEA THEATER

Spend the evening immersed in our opening night’s theme for 2023: MARDI GRAS! Walk into a Carnival celebration reminiscent of a street festival with cajun flair. Come dressed the part and enter our costume contest for CASH prize, enjoy our take of the King Cake and sample cocktails popular in New Orleans.

$60* General Admission / $80* VIP 6:00 pm entry (*Must be 21+ to enter.)

02.19.23 - SUNDAY 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

KING KAUMUALI’I LU’AU AT THE HISTORIC WAIMEA THEATER

A cultural presentation of beautiful songs and dance by Kumu Hula Troy Lazaro & Halau Ka Pa Hula o Hinano in honor of Kaua’i’s favorite King Kaumuali’i. Doors open at 4:30 pm.

$30 General Admission includes a special meal.

02.20.23 - MONDAY 9:15 AM - 6:00 PM

WAIMEA FILM FESTIVAL - HIFF HANA HOU AT THE HISTORIC WAIMEA THEATER

Asian Pacific films including an encore of award-winning films & sleepers from the Hawaii International Film Festival 42. The complete lineup will be posted on www.WaimeaTheater.com.

$10 tickets sold at the Box Office and $30 All Day Pass includes special meal and can be purchased online.

WEEKDAY CELEBRATIONS

MUSIC IN THE PARK & ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT CONTESTS

Join us for lunch in the center of Waimea Town at Hofgaard Park for LIVE music & enter our daily All-You-Can-Eat contests to win CASH prizes. FREE ENTRY, Family Friendly, Craft Vendors

02.21.23 TUESDAY 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

TIMES’ SPAM MUSUBI EATING CONTEST

LIVE MUSIC BY FRANK CRUZ & CRUZ CONTROL

02.22.23 WEDNESDAY 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

REDONDO’S RED HOT DOG

EATING CONTEST

LIVE MUSIC BY KAHALAU

LEOIKI

02.23.23 THURSDAY 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

KAUAI KIMCHEE’S KIMCHEE

EATING CONTEST

LIVE MUSIC BY NICK CASTILLO

02.22.23 - WEDNESDAY 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

TALES & TREATS AT THE HISTORIC WAIMEA THEATER

Kanaka Maoli Storyteller MOSES GOODS and members of the Honolulu Theatre for Youth Ensemble spent 2022 working in the salt beds of Hanapepe to create this special new production: “THE PA’AKAI WE BRING.” The play follows a family with multiple generations of Kaua’i salt farmers and mixes in ancient stories, hula and original songs. It is served with aloha and FREE treats from Gina’s Anykine Grinds Cafe and Super Duper II Icecream.

$10 General Admission

02.23.23 - THURSDAY 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

AMBASSADOR OF ALOHA & MUSIC CONCERT AT THE HISTORIC WAIMEA THEATER

The Neil Diamond cover band CHERRY CHERRY returns to Kaua’i to celebrate and honor our Ambassador of Aloha 2023 JIMMY OKADA who will be presented with the Malama Award for his service to our westside community.

$20 General Admission

02.23.23 TO 02.25.23 - THURSDAY TO SATURDAY

KAUA’I PANIOLO SHOWDOWN 2023 AT FRIENDSHIP DO’S RANCH, WAIMEA ARENA

Come and see Hawai’i’s best battle it out. All events are open to the public.

$10 Admission Fee only on Saturday for persons 2 years and older

Thu 7:00 pm - World’s Best Muley Roping

Fri 8:30 am - Team Roping Qualifying Slack

Fri 7:00 pm - Barrel Racing Qualifying Slack

Sat 10:00 am - Po’o Waiu, Roping, Barrels, Double Mugging & MORE www.aquaengineers.com

• Cesspool and septic pumping and inspections.

• Licensed Operators for Individual Wastewater Systems including Aerobic Treatment Unit Startups.

• Sewer Line Inspection & Cleaning.

• Wastewater & Water Facility Operations & Maintenance.

Aqua Engineers is available to assist you with all of your cesspool or septic system needs.

02.25.23 - SATURDAY 7:00 AM START (5:30-6:30 AM CHECK-IN)

2K, 5K & 10K NA HEIHEI A OLA FUN RUN AT WAIMEA PLANTATION COTTAGES

The WTC Fun Run attracts a mixed field of keiki to kupuna. Cost is $30/ Adults, $25/Students (17 years and younger). Register online or on Friday night at the Ho’olaule’a (in front of the Beer Garden) from 4:30 pm to 10:00 pm. $40/ Late Registration.

ARUGABLY THE BEST ANNUAL CONCERT ON KAUA’I!

2023 includes Kupaoa • Cherry Cherry • Bruddah Waltah • Norm

Thompson • Natural Vibrations • Hammah House Band • Miah Music

Molokai • Ka’ikena Scanlan • Eli Mac and much more!

FINAL WEEKEND: FRIDAY & SATURDAY / 02.24.23 & 02.25.23

HO’OLAULE’A

2-Day finale ho’olaule’a at the Old Waimea Mill on 2/24 (Fri) & 2/25 (Sat) includes food booths, craft vendors, 22 hours of FREE entertainment and the Paradise Beverages / Koloa Rum Beer Garden! Visit waimeatowncelebration.com for lineup.

Canoe Race

Na’i’ole Long Distance Canoe Race at Waimea Landing on Saturday, 02.25.23 at 8:00 am with traditional Hawaiian outrigger canoes racing along the Waimea shoreline. Awards at 1:00 pm.

3-ON-3 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

Kaua’i’s largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament for all ages!

6 pm - 9 pm Fri 02.24.23 and 9 am - 9 pm Sat 02.25.23 at Waimea Canyon Park Bball Courts

$20/students and $40/adults

SUPER DUPER 2’S ICE CREAM EATING CONTEST

Begins at Noon on Saturday 2/25/23

FREE to participate. Sign up with Lisa from Super Duper 2 at 11:30 am in front of the Ho’olaule’a Big Stage.

SCOTTY’S MUSIC ‘UKULELE CONTEST

Begins at 1:00 pm on Saturday 2/25/23 at the Ho’olaule’a Big Stage. FREE to participate and new ‘ukulele awarded to winners. Pickup an entry form at Scotty’s Music (across from Walmart) or download below. Pre-register by 12:45 pm the day of the contest.

LEI PAPALE (HAT LEI) CONTEST

Enter a hat lei in the Most Beautiful (fresh materials) or Most Unique (any material) Categories for CASH prizes. Enter your family Heirloom for the People’s Choice Award. Download an entry form from our website. Drop off Sat 2/25 from 10 am to noon at the old Waimea Mill Site. View from 2 pm to 6 pm. Pickup lei & awards at 6:00 pm.

DC SWEETS & LAUNDRY SERVICE

9889A Waimea Road, Waimea (808) 639-1097 Phone

Owners: David and Camille Hesapene www.dclaundrykauai.com dcsweet.laundry dclaundryandsweets

Mahalo To Our Partners And Sponsors

Hosted by the Historic Waimea Theater and Cultural Arts Center, a nonprofit organization with a mission to provide benefits to local worthy charities and non-profit groups by promoting the community of West Kaua’i through a quality celebration of heritage, diversity and inclusion of its kama’aina and malihini.

PARTNERS

Hawaii Tourism Authority • Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau • Historic Waimea Theater & Cultural Center • County of Kaua'i • Kaua'i Festivals • Kikiaola Land Company • Koloa Rum • Paradise Beverages