One of our favorite activities near the monthly full moon is to attend “Talk Story” or as it’s formally known-“Twilight at Kalahuipua’a”. The site of this no charge, almost monthly event is the Eva Parker Woods Cottage located ocean front on an island of grass between Makaiwa Bay and the historic Kalahuipua’a fishponds. The largest fishpond adjacent to the ocean was once part of the Makaiwa Bay until ancient Hawaiians built a wall into the water to block off the ocean and create a pond complex for aqua culture. The ponds are now a part of the Mauna Lani resort where the owners continue to maintain and preserve them to benefit the schools of mullet, milk fish and moi that inhabit and thrive with few predators other than the barracuda that make their way into the ponds when very small. Kalahuipua’a is translated to mean “the gathering of the pigs”. Since Hawaiians often expressed themselves allegorically it is speculated they were referring to the large fish in the fishponds as being the “pigs”.

The scene is amazingly beautiful as the crowd gathers at sunset for what is usually a concert by a well known island musician, performance by a popular hula troop or “Kapuna” invited to talk story about growing up in Hawaii, island history and ancient folklore. Danny Akaka, the cultural director of the Mauna Lani, has orchestrated the event for over 25 years. Lissette and I remember attending in the 1990’s when we first discovered this magical piece of paradise and count the remembrance of this event as one of the reasons we packed a few boxes and moved permanently from Atlanta in 2001.

Danny is known for not sharing the identity of his monthly, musical guest but instead always states-“it’s going to be special” with a twinkle in his eyes. In 2016 we were treated to a concert by Jake Shimabukuro. He is known as one of the greatest gifts from Hawaii to the “world” music scene and is often touted as a virtuoso related to his skills playing the ukulele. We have listened and loved his incredible ukulele virtuosity since first moving to Hawaii in 2001. There isn’t an hour of local radio music that doesn’t feature one of his songs and to see him in person in this ultra rare venue was a once in a life time experience.

Enjoy an incredible sunset on most nights and be amazed by a brilliant full moon rising over and illuminating the Kohala Mountains and Waimea town to the east. The sky always glows a mix of orange and red as a back drop to the catamaran – Wainona- that is always moored in the bay to the west.

Every time Lissette and I attend this event we know it will be a great “page” in the book of life. We look forward to the familiar faces of our neighbors and friends gathered in this special place with the incredible beauty of the blue pacific, spectacular sunset, beautiful Hoku moon and the constant serenade by our special musical guest. Lucky we live in Hawaii 🙂

Check out the 2019 Schedule here!!

Written by Rick Oliver on February 4, 2019
Posted in: Hawaii Life | Tags: Twilight at Kalahuipua’a