West Kauaʻi Mo‘olelo Festival

The 2024 Waimea Light Parade will expand this year to honor the life and legacy of renowned Kaua‘i storyteller, historian and community leader Aletha Goodwin Kaohi with the launch of the first-annual West Kauaʻi Mo‘olelo Festival.

The West Kauaʻi Mo‘olelo Festival will kick off an evening of celebration on Dec. 21, 2024, including a showing of the short film “Aletha” on a large outdoor screen. The storytelling of West Kaua‘i historian Aletha Goodwin Kaohi is highlighted in the film, which debuted at the 2024 Hawai‘i International Film Festival. In the film, which takes place in the final days before her passing earlier this year, she shares lessons learned from her 93 years of life in Waimea. Aletha was instrumental in founding the annual Waimea Light Parade.

The Historic Waimea Theater & Cultural Arts Center, which organizes the Waimea Light Parade, collaborated with Hawai‘i workforce development nonprofit ClimbHI to add the West Kauaʻi Mo‘olelo Festival to the annual celebration. The festival is supported by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority Community Enrichment Program and the West Kaua‘i Heritage Center.

WHEN: From 5:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Saturday, December 21, 2024; starting with entertainment by award-winning musician and Hawaiian cultural practitioner Ku‘uipo Kumukahi, who is serving as mistress of ceremony. Aletha is this year’s parade grand marshal, represented by her family. The parade ends at Hofgaard Park with a holiday concert by entertainers Kaua‘i Kollab.

WHERE: Waimea, Kaua‘i; free parking; the Waimea Bridge will close from 5:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.; no parking along Kaumualii Hwy. from 5:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

ENTRY: All events are free; bring your own chairs and blankets.

FOOD & BEVERAGE: Food and craft vendors will be available at Hofgaard Park; outside food welcome.