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Prince Lot Festival showcases Hawaiian culture

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The 33rd annual Prince Lot Festival this Saturday at Moanalua Gardens will be full of dance, arts and crafts and great food. It is all in honor of Prince Lot Kapuaiwa who later reigned as King Kamehameha V.

This year's theme surrounds the idea of water. New hula teachers from Na Pualei o Likolehua will entertain audiences with a premiere hula performance along with 11 other hula halaus. Craftsmen will also showcase their work at the festival and will be on site teaching techniques such as feather lei making. One piece of art work is up for sale in hopes to fundraise money for E Malama I Na Wao, a non-profit organization that helps preserve Hawaii's endangered hardwood forests and trees.

Master Carver Manny Mattos usually re-creates ancient Hawaiian tools and weapons but got an offer that he just could not pass up. He received two 16 foot slabs of Redwood from his friend in Santa Cruz. His friend donated the two slabs in hopes to re-create surfboards similar to Duke Kahanamoku's. After two days, the board is almost done.

Mattos hopes that the younger generations will come to the festival and pass on Hawaiian culture to future generations. He believes that everyone needs to pitch in and do their part.

"I think that it takes each individual person, you know…all it takes is one person to motivate a lot of different people. I'm just one small person trying to motivate as much people that I have left in my life" said Mattos.

The festival will take place on Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM so bring your beach chairs and mats. It is free to the public but donations are accepted. Commercial photography is not allowed. For more information, call 839-5334 or visit moanaluagardens.org.