"RELIVE THE PLANTATION DAYS - 2006"


Popular cultural event resumes in 2006 at Hawaii's Plantation Village



Hawaii – "Relive the Plantation Days – 2006," one of Hawaii Plantation Village's (HPV) most popular events returns on the first Saturday of each month, starting January 7, 2006.

From 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., "Relive the Plantation Days – 2006" will highlight one plantation ethnic heritage group each month and offer activities and demonstrations throughout the Village for the enjoyment of the entire family.

"Thanks to support from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, we're able to bring back this very entertaining and educational activity for kamaaina and visitors," said Richard Hirata, president of HPV's board of directors. "Our mission is to perpetuate and preserve the contributions of Hawaii's sugar plantation history and, "Relive the Plantation Days – 2006," provides us with an excellent opportunity to showcase important aspects of Hawaii's multi-cultural heritage and sugar plantation lifestyle."

January's kickoff features the Puerto Rican heritage group and includes a pasteles-making demonstration by Ramona Caraballo. During the plantation era, pasteles was a "special occasion" dish that was prepared and enjoyed during Christmas, Three Kings Day and Easter. They are made with green bananas, special seasoning and filled with pork. Today, however, pasteles are enjoyed throughout the year. Also scheduled is a demonstration by John Colon on how to play the traditional game of horse shoes, popularized by Puerto Rican immigrants during Hawaii's plantation days.

To celebrate the return of "Relive the Plantation Days – 2006" and the New Year, HPV has added a narcissus bulb-carving demonstration and workshop to the festivities. The fragrant narcissus is an integral part of the Chinese heritage and culture. Narcissus heralds the Chinese New Year – which takes place on January 29, 2006. Blossoms opening close to the New Year are said to bring good fortune.

The demonstration is open for everyone's enjoyment. For those who want to carve their own bulb, there will be a cost of $5.00 per person for supplies and the workshop is limited to 25 people.
"Relive the Plantation Days – 2006" is a family affair and HPV is extending a special rate of $7.00 per person, with children 11 years and younger, admitted FREE. (Regular admission price is $13.00 adults and $5.00 for children 4 – 11 years). The special $7.00 price includes Village admission, pasteles demonstration, narcissus bulb-carving demonstration, various ethnic activities and entertainment. See attached calendar for more event details.

A departure from the regular docent-led tours that take place hourly on Monday through Saturday, "Relive the Plantation Days – 2006" encourages visitors to participate in a variety of hands-on activities and visit the Village at their leisure, spending as much time as they desire at each plantation home. Parking is FREE. "Relive the Plantation Days – 2006" is supported in part by the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts through appropriations from the Legislature of the State of Hawaii and the National Endowment for the Arts.

About HPV Hawaii's Plantation Village is a non-profit, living history museum and ethno-botanical garden located on a 50-acre site in the heart of historic sugar plantation country in Waipahu. Established by the Friends of Waipahu Cultural Garden Park in 1976, its mission is to ensure that the struggles, sacrifices, innovations and contributions of Hawaii's sugar plantation forebears are preserved and acknowledged as the cornerstone of Hawaii's successful multi-ethnic society. For more information, please visit hawaiiplantationvillage.org.

RELIVE THE PLANTATION DAYS – 2006 10 am – 2 pm

First Saturday of the Month

January 7, 2006 PUERTO RICAN HERITAGE FOCUS

10 am Narcissus Bulb Carving demonstration and workshop by Sharon Leong in the Gentry Room.

The fragrant narcissus is an integral part of the Chinese culture and heralds the New Year which will take place on January 29, 2006.

The demonstration is open to the public. There is a cost to participate in the

workshop of $5.00 for materials and participation is limited to 25 participants.

10 am – 2 pm The Museum and Village are open for self-touring.

The Museum features a Filipino Centennial Exhibit for 2006.

Each Plantation Village home will have a representative available to provide information about the ethnic group and answer any questions.

Activities taking place throughout the day include:

  • Japanese home - Calligraphy demonstration (and participation) by Amy Sakuma

  • Filipino home – Cooking demonstration by Carolina Gunn

  • Chinese home – Mahjong demonstration (and participation)

  • Korean home – Kim Chee "Pancake" demonstration (and tasting) by Toni Lee

  • Hawaiian home – Hula and Hawaiian Crafts by Tina King

  • Puerto Rican home – Playing the horse shoes game demonstration (and participation) as well as live "kachi kachi" music playing on the porch by John Colon

  • Okinawan home – Taisho Koto demonstration by Sue Oshiro

  • The Saimin Stand will be open with refreshments and snacks available for sale.

    12 noon Puerto Rican Pasteles-making Demonstration by Ramona Caraballo in the Gentry Room.

    Pasteles, once a dish reserved for special occasions, will be available for sale at $2.50 each after the demonstration.

    February 4, 2006 KOREAN HERITAGE FOCUS

    March 4, 2006 PORTUGUESE HERITAGE FOCUS