Annual Henderson festival to celebrate Hawaiian and Pacific Island heritage

For two days, native Hawaiians and those of Pacific Island descent can close their eyes and feel, taste and hear the sounds of the island life - minus the beach.

The 22nd annual Prince Kuhio Ho'olaule'a Pacific Island Festival, put on by the Las Vegas Hawaiian Civic Club, is slated to offer aspects of Hawaiian culture from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Henderson Events Plaza, 200 S. Water St. Admission is free.

"I close my eyes and I'm almost there," said Tamar Hoapili, president of the Las Vegas Hawaiian Civic Club. "I really miss home. For two days, you can really feel the strong connection."

According to the 2010 U.S. Census, 6,784 native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders live in Las Vegas.

"It has grown a lot since I got here 14 years ago," Hoapili said.

About 26 years ago, Hoapili said a group of native Hawaiians migrated to Southern Nevada and started the Las Vegas Hawaiian Civic Club as a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the culture. The festival began shortly after.

"They decided they wanted to put together an event," Hoapili said. "They had about 15 booths to start with."

Hoapili said she expects 100 booths at the upcoming festival, featuring food and authentic Hawaiian merchandise.

"You have the real Hawaiian shaved ice just like back home," Hoapili said. "Not crushed ice. You have Spam musubi."

Hoapili said the food vendors are a fan favorite at the festival.

"You just can't go wrong with the food," Hoapili said.

The event attracted about 20,000 people in 2011, according to the city of Henderson, which has hosted the event since 2007.

Hoapili said it's not only Southern Nevadans who are drawn to the event but also people from the southwest U.S. , including Arizona and California.

Because Hawaii is a melting pot that's home to a variety of Pacific Island cultures, such as Tahitian, Polynesian or Filipino, the festival should reflect that as well. Entertainment spans from Tahitian to hula dancers.

"You can't have a Hawaiian festival without hula ," Hoapili said.

The headliner for the event is expected to be Hoku Zuttermeister, a big-name musician in the Hawaiian culture, Hoapili said.

"He won our version of the Grammys known as the Na Hoku," Hoapili said.

The cultural village, Hoapili's favorite part of the festival, features workshops on making traditional flower and feather leis.

Hoapili said it is challenging for Pacific Islanders not born in Hawaii to maintain aspects of their culture.

"I want to be able to teach my kids how to make (leis) ," Hoapili said.

For the second year, Hoapili said, a health fair has been scheduled in partnership with Roseman University, 11 Sunset Way.

Hoapili said people in the Asian and Pacific Island communities have a high risk of diabetes, heart disease and breast cancer. Students and doctors from the school are slated to offer check ups for attendees.

"Not everyone goes to the doctor," Hoapili said. "This way we bring the doctor to them."

Hoapili also said the festival serves as a fundraiser for the civic club. The money raised is slated to go to scholarships.

"We have given away about $50,000 worth of scholarships," Hoapili said.

The scholarships primarily go to people of Hawaiian ancestry but specifically those in Southern Nevada.

Chyeanne Cadaoas, a member of the club, was the 2010 scholarship recipient.

"This gives a lot of Asians and Pacific Islanders a chance to further our education," Cadaoas said.

Cadaoas is studying communications at the College of Southern Nevada. Next year, she plans to transfer to a fashion design school and emphasize communications.

"You'll see me on Channel 8 one day," Cadaoas said.

The civic club also has provided Cadaoas insight into her heritage.

"It is a wonderful organization," Cadaoas said. "It has taught me the true essence of being Hawaiian."

For more information, visit hendersonlive.com.

Contact Henderson/Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 387-5201.