Lahaina Restoration Foundation to hold ‘Come Fly a Kite!’
KAANAPALI – Lahaina Restoration Foundation (LRF) will sponsor “Come Fly a Kite!” on Saturday, July 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It’s fun, it’s free, and it will have you flying in no time.
This family event will take place at the Keka’a North Beach Open Space near the old Airport Beach. There’s plenty of free parking in the lot on the highway side. From Highway 30, turn at the Honua Kai Resort intersection and make a left turn toward the beach access lot. Look for the event banner and follow the signs.
Robert Loera, cofounder of the Hawaii Kiteflyers Association (HKA), is producing the festival.
The warm, sunny and windy conditions at North Beach are perfect for kite flying. Loera has been teaching kite flying for years and will bring dozens of kites from his extensive collection to the site. He will do aerial displays and fly acrobatic sport kites. He also has miniature kites with detailed designs and double-string kites. Loera encourages people to bring their own kites as well.
LRF will present “on the spot” kite making workshops throughout the day. In a special appearance, Maui’s Kendama Riot, an 11-member team, will perform at noon.
In addition, Dr. Busaba Yip Douglas, a docent from the Wo Hing Museum, will lead a powerpoint presentation on the History of Chinese Kites at Lahaina Cannery Mall on Thursday, July 24, at 6:15 p.m., followed by a talk story with Loera. A display of kites is currently on exhibit at the mall, including some of the smallest kites in the world.
At Saturday’s event, there will be a selection of kendamas, yo-yos and boomerangs to play with, as well as lots of kites, so wind or no wind, there will be activities for all.
Award ribbons will be given out for the youngest flyer, most beautiful kite, the kite that flies the highest, and even the most tangled kite. If you have any questions, feel free to call Loera at (808) 385-5753.