ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - Old Town Plaza transformed into a lively luau on Saturday, June 21, as attendees donned flower leis and embraced summer vibes during the third annual Aloha Saturday in Elk Grove.

The event celebrated tradition and culture with hula dance performances and more than 40 local Asian American and Pacific Islander-owned vendors offering handmade jewelry, decorated handbag charms and tropical-themed products.

Crowds in Hawaiian shirts lined up for boba drinks, musubi and lumpia from food vendors. The smell of sweet and savory treats drew visitors in to get a taste of Pacific Islander cuisine.

Aloha Saturday was presented by The Creative Space in partnership with the City of Elk Grove to bring the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community together to share its talents, art and culture with the public.

Sisters Jennifer and Remy Tokunaga, co-founders of The Creative Space, launched the initiative in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic to give small businesses a place to host classes, create content and hold pop-up events.

While the venue is located in Sacramento’s midtown, its influence has outgrown the physical space, leading to larger gatherings such as Aloha Saturday at public venues such as Old Town Plaza.

Jennifer Tokunaga said they frequently host events in Elk Grove and that their biggest event, Asian Pacific Culture Fest, is held at the District56 Center every year in May for Asian American and Pacific Islander-Heritage month.

“Our events are designed to delight attendees, combining entertainment with the opportunity to shop local. Each event is thoughtfully planned to ensure that our vendors shine and that visitors leave feeling inspired and connected,” said Tokunaga.

 

Tyra Manuari’i Calero, founder of Ka Hula O Manuari’i, led her group in the first performance, which featured traditional chants and dances. They opened with an oli (chant) titled “Aloha E Ka Lā’.”

There were performances from hula dance schools Ka Hula O Manuari’i and Kuhai Halau O Nohea. Deejay Be Jamin played music throughout the event. 

Tyra Manuari’i Calero, founder of Ka Hula O Manuari’i, led her group in the first performance, which featured traditional chants and dances. The group opened with an oli (chant) titled “Aloha E Ka Lā’.”

“It’s composed by Kawaikapuokalani K. Hewett and is a chant that entreats Pele (Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes) to awaken to begin a new day. It is our welcome greeting,” said Calero.

Each song and hula dance reflected stories meaningful in Hawaiian culture. ‘Olapa (dancers), including keiki (children), performed with grace and smiles.

The group paid tribute with a hula to “In Your Hawaiian Way,” a dance that Calero said was passed on to her years ago.

“We dedicate this song to Kimo Baird and his late wife, Jill Baird. I learned this hula from them back in the early 1990s. Because it is Kimo’s 83rd birthday this week, we dance to honor him,” she said.

Calero said that her group was invited by The Creative Space’s Jennifer Tokunaga to share their hula dances with the community as one of the featured performances.

“We enjoyed the experience and the positive community collaboration so much we look forward to performing at their next Aloha Saturday event,” Calero said.

While many were entertained by the colorful dresses and elegant moves of the hula performers, others took time to shop around from the various vendors there.

 

Pictured are Yvette, left, and Kiana Miraglia of Cristales Del Rio at the Aloha Saturday at Old Town Plaza on June 21. The mother/daughter duo sells handcrafted gemstone jewelry and is a frequent vendor at The Creative Space events.

Cristales Del Rio, a vendor at the event, sold handcrafted gemstone jewelry sourced from local businesses and gem exhibitions across California. The mother and daughter duo, Kiana and Yvette Miraglia of Folsom, often travel throughout the greater Sacramento region and the Bay Area to set up shop at events.

“We source all of the jewelry products, beads, charms and stones from gem shows around California, whether that’s here in Northern California or sometimes Southern California,” Kiana Miraglia said.

She told the Elk Grove Citizen that she first connected with the Tokunaga sisters about four years ago at a pop-up event they hosted on U Street in Sacramento. Since then, Cristales Del Rio has been invited to every event hosted by The Creative Space, which Miraglia said makes it a priority to involve her business along with other local vendors.

“The community of people we’ve met over the years and seen grow has truly been so special. Remy and Jennifer do amazing jobs hosting events, and we look forward to continuing our future with them,” Miraglia said.

 

While many were entertained by the colorful dresses and elegant moves of the hula performers, others took time to shop around from the various vendors at the Aloha Saturday event on June 21.

For Jennifer Tokunaga and her sister, each event is an opportunity to honor tradition, empower small businesses and build lasting connections. She said that they “feel fortunate to build a community that uplifts and celebrates AANHPI heritage and culture.”

The Creative Space hosts events year-round and will hold a similar gathering on July 19 called Aloha at Arden Fair, located at 1689 Arden Way in Sacramento. Its next Elk Grove event, Matcha vs. Ube, will take place at Old Town Plaza, 9615 Railroad St., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 19.