The California Hotel and Casino Present the 14th Annual Hawaiian Lei Day Festival on April 30 and May 1, 2011

The California Hotel and Casino along with GSK Production, Gary and Sheldeen Haleamau, Halau Hula 'O Kaleimomi, in association with Curly Koa Production, Inc., and Vacations Hawaii, will be celebrating their 14th Annual Hawaiian Lei Day Festival on Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1, 2011. This annual Polynesian festival brings together musicians, dancers, artists, craftsmen and also show cases Hawaii's local foods such as kalua pig, lau lau, poi, beef teriyaki sticks, hot malasadas and the "ono" poi mochi. Believe me, I had some and it was really "ono."

I met Katherine Pohndorf, executive producer and president of Curly Koa Productions and promoter and founder of this Lei Day event. Katherine is also known as "KP," and she grew up in Honokowai, Maui and attended Lahainaluna High School. Her inspiration for Lei Day Las Vegas stems from her involvement with the foundation and her beloved Kumu Hula aunty Emma Farden-Sharpe. From this the special Hula Halau tradition is kept alive and Lei Day was born in Las Vegas.This year's event is dedicated in loving memory of Ms. Sherveralyn "Shevy" Fujimoto of Granny's Pastele's who passed away this month and was looking forward to this event. Condolences go out to family and friends.

Today's weather was perfect, a little "chilly" though with the temperature at 69 degrees. Yes, it's Las Vegas in April

and all the locals from Hawaii were wearing a little more than just t-shirts this morning. The festival on Saturday began with the National Anthem sung by Auntie Makalina Yamada (top photo), then Kumu Hula Sheldeen Haleamau (bottom photo) and her halau, Halau Hula 'O Kaleimomi performed for the crowd. The Guest of Honor were, Miss Kahala, Brittni Woodward and Miss West Oahu, Lauren Cheape. The Master of Ceremonies were, Larry 'Maheitoa" Fisher aka "Biggy Sexxy" and Sistah Doree "Hina Nui' Makanani. What great talent we have here in Las Vegas. It felt like I was at the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, but Las Vegas style! On Sunday, the National Anthem sung by Millie T. Misajon.

To close this event we had a special treat this evening with great performances by Mailani Makainani, Nohelani Cypriano and Diana Aki in the Ohana/Maile Room. Special thanks to GSK Production, Gary and Sheldeen Haleamau, Halau Hula 'OKaleimomi, in association with Curly Koa Production, Inc., Katherine Pohndorf, Irma and Joe Andrade, Sigrid Brunel, artist of "Brunel Images" who helped with the flyers, and "special thanks" to Gene and Lee Mago from Reno for the beautiful hawaiian lei. Much Mahalo! Just a note. If you looking for the Las Vegas Jerkys, Etc., I found that they moved to the Las Vegas Club, ground floor across the Players Club. "Click here" to enjoy the event photos.