New Event for 2014: Pa'ina and Open House at Historic Pahala Plantation House

To kick off the ten days of activities for the 2014 Ka'u Coffee Festival Pahala Plantation Cottages, Ka'u Chamber of Commerce and The Ka'u Calendar newspaper are offering a Pa'ina & Open House at historic Pahala Plantation House (corner of Maile & Pikake Streets in Pahala, Hawaii) on Friday, May 2, from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Music, hula with Halau Hula O Leionalani, refreshments and house tours. Donations will be accepted for the Miss Ka'u Coffee Scholarship Fund.

Pahala Plantation House

The Pahala Plantation House was once the Ka'u Sugar Plantation manager's house. Working to maintain the integrity and history of this five bedroom home, owners Julia Neal and Michael Worthington kept the original wood floors and filled the house with antique furniture and artwork. The building boasts high ceilings, a large dinning hall, spacious rooms, a wrap around lanai and a baby grand piano in the foyer. More details regarding The Plantation House and other plantation cottage vacation rentals from the Pahala Plantation Cottages can be found at pahalaplantationcottages.com.

Ka'u Chamber of Commerce

The Ka'u Chamber of Commerce aims to support local businesses within the district of Ka'u. Each year, KCC hosts an art show. The winning entry is then used the following year as the cover image for the Annual Ka'u Chamber of Commerce Business Directory. To support local students and adults seeking to re-enter the educational system, KCC offers the Ken Wick's Scholarship. An essay competition where applicants are asked to write about how their educational experience will benefit Ka'u - with preference given to those who intend to remain in Ka'u after completing their education.

Halau Hula O Leionalani

Members of Halau Hula O Leionalani, directed by Kumu Hula Debbie Leionalani Ryder, have performed at the Ka'u Coffee Festival since it's beginning, with hula dancers coming from as far as Japan and as near as Pahala.

The group is featured in a film about a cultural festival on Lana'i, which will air starting March 18, 2014, on Channel 54. The film Lana'i will likely also be seen on Kaua'i, Lana'i and Maui, said the film’s producer and editor Wendell Kaehuaea. Since the festival, Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder and her husband Kawehi have moved to Pahala, where their family has purchased a home.

Air dates and times: Tuesday, March 18, 3 p.m.; Friday, March 21, 1 p.m.; Saturday, March 22, 8 p.m.; Monday, March 24, 9 p.m.; Friday, March 28, 10 p.m.; and Saturday, March 29, 10:30 p.m.
The halau meets on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. at the Old Pahala Clubhouse on Maile Street.