Ten Days of Fun Family Activities at Koloa Plantation Days

July is one of the best months to visit Kauai. The weather is warm, the flowering trees are in bloom, and summer is full swing. There are countless summer activities to enjoy here on Kauai that include snorkeling, surfing, taking a boat ride and enjoying the beaches. But something special happens in July on Kauai’s South shore. While Koloa and Poipu boast some of the most beautiful beaches and stunning vistas, there is also a lot of history on Kauai’s South Shore. Koloa Plantation Days in an annual event that celebrates the history and heritage of Kauai’s first sugar plantation as well as the ethnic diversity of the plantation workers that came to Kauai from Japan, the Philippines, Europe, China, Korea and elsewhere.

Koloa Plantation days is held every year in July; this year it kicks off on July 19th, 2013 with a rodeo and Paniolo Barbeque and runs for ten days. The cool thing about this festival is that there are a ton of events and most of them are free, and you can learn a lot about the history of the sugar plantations on Kauai.

Koloa Plantation was the first plantation in the sate of Hawaii. You may catch a glimpse of the mill sitting in a field as you drive towards Poipu, but it no longer processes sugar and is slated for demolition in the near future. The mill is normally off limits, but for this special event a permit is granted so that folks with a reservation can enjoy a free tour of the mill and the Wilcox tunnel. During this event, Stella Burgess and Arryl Kaneshiro will share historical information about the mill and talk story and reminisce about plantation life. But this is only one of many events that will take place.

Other events include, a miniature golf tournament, keiki fishing at Waita reservoir, a plantation cooking demonstration, movie night, traditional Hawaiian games, a historical walking tour, a coastal hike at Mahaulepu, a charity tennis match, a Polynesian review with fire dancing, a pastel class, and a plantation heritage craft fair to name just a few. Since most of the events are free, some require reservations. Make sure to check the Koloa Plantation Days website for more information about specific events.

The festival of events culminates in the annual Historic Koloa Plantation Days Parade and Park Celebration held on Saturday July 27, 2013, from 10am-5pm at Koloa Ball Park. The Park Celebration features local craft vendors, food booths, live music and Hawaii’s favorite comedians, Frank Delima and Augie T. The kids can cool off in the water-slides after jumping in the bounce house or find the kids tent where they can play games and make crafts. There is a $3 fee to attend the all-day event and kids under 12 are free. For more information or a detailed schedule you can visit the Koloa Plantation Days website. Make sure to schedule some time during your Kauai vacation to enjoy some of these unique, local events. For more information on upcoming events check out the Kauai Event Calendar.

Koloa Plantation Days Schedule of Events

July 19 – July 28, 2013
Island culture & plantation history , sports & outdoor recreation
Kids & family activities * Celebration events with live entertainment

FRIDAY – July 19
Plantation Days Rodeo – Preliminary Roping & American West Barrel Racing
at CJM Stables, 11am-3pm. 742-6096.
Paniolo Cookout & Music at CJM Stables, 4-8pm. $5 entry. 635-3053.

SATURDAY – July 20
Poipu Kai Charity Tennis Summer Challenge, 8am-4:30pm.
$25 entry fee. Entry deadline: July 13. 634-6050.
Historic Hapa Trail Walk from St. Raphael’s Church, by Kōloa Community Assn. 9am. 651-1332.
Plantation Days Rodeo Preliminary Roping at CJM Stables, 11am-5pm. 742-6096.
Keiki Fishing at Waita by Kaua’i ATV, 1-4pm. RSVP required. 742-2734.
Polynesian Revue & Fire Dancer, Po’ipū Shopping Village 7:30-8:30pm. 742-2831.

SUNDAY – July 21
Poipu Kai Charity Tennis Summer Challenge, 8am-2pm. Semi/Finals. 634-6050.
Pō’ipū Kai Keiki Tennis Fun, 2-4pm for ages 7-14. 634-6050.
Miniature Golf Tournament, ages 13 & under, Lāwa’i Beach Resort, 10am. 240-5179.
14th Annual Plantation Days Rodeo at CJM Stables. Pre-rodeo entertainment,
$2 adults, children free ($1 goes to YMCA). 11am-3:30pm. 742-6096.

MONDAY – July 22
Makawehi Sand Dune Hike, Grand Hyatt Kaua’i, Seaview Terrace 8am. 742-1234.
Plantation Days Exhibit & Historic Film Night, The Shops at Kukui’ula.
Exhibit opens 6pm, 7:30pm film. Exhibit open until Friday. 742-9545.

TUESDAY – July 23
Koloa Plantation Days Craft Fair, Kōloa Landing, 9am-1pm. 742-1888.
Koloa Before Sugar at KoloaUnion Church, 3pm. 332-0303.
Mixed Plate – Live Music at Old Kōloa Town Courtyard, 5-8pm. 245-7238.

WEDNESDAY – July 24
Coastal Hike by Mālama Māhā’ulepū. 9:30-11:30am. Meet at CJM Stables. 346-1509.
Traditional Hawaiian Games, Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation, 10am-12pm. 742-6411.
Plantation Treats at Kaua’i Culinary Market, The Shops at Kukui’ula, 4-6pm. 742-9545.

THURSDAY – July 25
Look Back Through the Sugar Era, Old Koloa  Mill, by Grove Farm. 9-11am. 245-3678×222
Plantation Days Putting Contest, Poipu Bay Resort Golf Club, 2-4pm. 742-8711.
Movies in the Park by Rotary of Po’ipū Beach, 8pm screening, 652-2136.

FRIDAY – July 26
Māhā’ulepū Watercolor Class by Malama Mahulepu. Fee for supplies or bring
your own. 9am-noon. 346-1509.
Talk Story: Sweet Memories of Old Kōloa, Kōloa Union Church, 4:30pm. 332-0303.
Old Kōloa Town Historical Walk departing from Kōloa School, 5:30pm. 332-5201.

SATURDAY, July 27
Annual Parade & Park Celebration
HISTORIC PARADE – 10am, Kōloa Town.
Floats, marching units, riders, classic cars & the Pacific Fleet Band
PARK CELEBRATION – 10am-5pm, Anne Knudsen (Kōloa) Park.
Food, Crafts, Keiki fun, Live Entertainment! $2 admission. 652-3217.

SUNDAY – July 28
Family Fun Run/Walk by Kukui’ula Canoe Club. Race fees apply. 7-10am. 635-0165.
Keoki’s Ukes in Paradise Keiki ‘Ukulele Competition at Keoki’s Paradise.
10am start. Free contest entry includes lunch and t-shirt. 742-7534.