KUWAIT: The International Women’s Group in Kuwait kicked off the new season with a ‘Hawaiian Day’ meet and greet, hosting their first event of the year at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Sunday. In her welcome speech, the new President of the group, Polina Dlamini, spouse of the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Eswatini, South Africa, highlighted the occasion as an opportunity to "embrace the spirit of aloha, which embodies luck, peace, hope, and compassion among us.”
Together with the group’s new board and members, she expressed her hopes for the year, looking forward to experiencing "different cultures, different traditions, and life-changing adventures,” while fostering stronger bonds, harmony, and lasting friendships. She encouraged everyone to explore the Hawaiian beach market set up at the event, take photos at each station to create their first memory of the season, and enjoy the "Hawaiian fun.”
Among the invited attendees was the Turkish Ambassador to Kuwait Tuba Nur Sonmez, who extended her heartful gratitude for IWG and the volunteers, who "have put all of this effort to bring every sense and feeling of Hawaii.” Through the music, flowers decorations, and the vibes, she said, "for a short time we felt that we are in somewhere else.” She praised the organization’s crucial role in bringing people together from different countries, helping them look deeper and closer at the unique cultures that they present.
As the event highlighted the essence of Hawaii through its popular sports, music, movies, and dances, Kuwaiti board surfer Abdullah Al-Mutawa shared with Kuwait Times how he first discovered his passion for the water sport during a vacation to Hawaii in 2017. "I did it for a day or two, kept at it, and it was really fun. When you find a massive wave, you just go over it. Sometimes you fall, but you get back up, and it’s such a thrill,” he said.
Reflecting on his love for surfing and the island’s relaxed lifestyle, he added, "With board surfing, all you need is a board and about 30 minutes of learning, and then you’re ready to go. No special equipment is needed — just hit the beach and ride the waves.”
Hassan Jomah, a musician who performed at the event, shared his excitement about being part of the celebration. "I played three pieces of music, including ‘I Fell in Love with You,’ and two Spanish songs. It was a great honor to be called for this event,” he told Kuwait Times. Though he hasn’t visited Hawaii, the event sparked his interest. "Now I’m more interested in visiting, especially with what we saw today. I’m looking forward to going there.” He also commented on Hawaiian music, saying, "Their music is nice and simple, which means a lot of people can easily enjoy it. It’s not complicated — easy to like and play.”
Jomah, who specializes in flamenco guitar, explained how Hawaiian music is often played on the ukulele, "like the guitar, but smaller with four strings.” He also shared his passion for blending traditional Kuwaiti music with Spanish, Argentine, and Peruvian styles, and expressed his admiration for Hawaiian folklore.