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HONOLULU, HAWAI'I - The American Indian Pow Wow Association ("AIPA") is hosting its 28th Annual Pow Wow at Thomas Square in Honolulu, Hawai`i on Saturday and Sunday, October 5th and 6th, 2002, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, both days. Everyone is invited to attend this free event, which will feature dancing, drumming, singing, arts and crafts, and food.

The public is also invited to a free Native American Flute and Storytelling Concert on Monday, October 7, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. at the Center for Hawaiian Studies, 2645 Dole Street, Honolulu. The concert is jointly sponsored by AIPA, the Center for Hawaiian Studies and Native Winds Gift Gallery & Craft Supply. Three Native flute players, each with his own distinctive style, will perform: Troy DeRoche (Blackfeet), Andrew Thomas (Navajo), and Shane Ridley-Stevens (Te-Moake Band of Western Shoshoni). Storyteller Liz Campbell DeRoche (Metis) will share her native tales during this evening of traditional entertainment.

Schar 'Scharbear' Freeman
Kauai Pow-Wow Council

The pow wow offers Oahu residents an opportunity to experience the sights, sounds, flavors, and spirit of Native America. For two days, Thomas Square will be transformed into a gathering place for Native Americans who live in Hawaii as well as visitors from the mainland, Alaska and Canada. Families and friends will come together for a celebration of contemporary and time-honored traditions.

Of the several pow wows which take place statewide each year, only the Thomas Square pow wow features competition dancing. Audiences will enjoy the lively footwork of fancy dancers, grass dancers, fancy shawl and jingle dancers as well as the stately eloquence of traditional dancers. Each dance has its own history; each dancer has a story to tell.

The head staff at the Oahu pow wow includes: Head Man Dancer Shane Ridley-Stevens (Te-Moake Band of the Western Shoshoni); Head Woman Dancer Wanda Dawson (Dine); Master of Ceremonies John Dawson (San Carlos Apache); Arena Director David Eagle Horse (Lakota), Host Drum Red Thunder; and Guest Drums Wildhorse and Buffalo Creek.

For dancers and singers coming from the mainland, local families will sometimes host visitors. There are ample volunteer opportunities for those who want to help with the pow wow-no experience required. For more information, call the American Indian Pow Wow Association (808) 734-5171, 5 pm to 10 pm, Hawaii Standard Time.

Everyone is also invited to the 9th Annual Inter-Tribal Pow Wow at the Waimea Ball Park on the Big Island of Hawaii on September 28th and 29th, 2002. For more information, call 808-885-5569.

The weekend following the Oahu Pow Wow, on October 12th and 13th, 2002, the Kauai Pow Wow Council is hosting its pow wow at Kukui Grove Pavilion, in Lihue, Kauai. There are a variety of cultural events the week preceding the pow wow on the island of Kauai. For more information, call the Kauai Pow-Wow Council, phone: 808-335-5427 and visit the Kauai Pow Wow 2002 web site.