Touring the World Through Free Food and Games, Feb. 10 to 12, at Lama Library

By Kent Nishimura, Kapiʻo Staff Writer / 

Kapiʻolani Community College students will be able to experience other cultures by playing games and sampling cuisine at the second annual International Games Week, Feb. 10 to 12 at Lama Library.

“We want this to be a learning experience,” said information literacy librarian Joy Oehlers. “We want students to learn about other cultures, how other people live, not just what we do in Hawaiʻi.”

The free event, which runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day, will provide a diverse offering of activities and fare from areas of the world such as Oceania, Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas.

Attendees can expect to enjoy good competition, free food and drink, additional activities like button making, and a chance to win prizes from local establishments like Cafe Laufer, JJ French Pastry & Bistro, and Honolulu Museum of Art.

While the donated prizes are lure for some, Oehlers said others come away with something even more valuable. She recalled one prizewinner in particular.

“The best thing about international games week (for the person) was not winning a prize but making a friend.” Oehlers said.

Each day of the festival will focus on different regions and cultures. Day 1 will include Hawaii, Oceania, and the Americas, followed by Asia on the second day and Europe, Africa, and the Middle East on the final day. Each participant will receive a ticket good for a chance at the daily door prize.

The games themselves, Oehlers says, are a great way for international and local students to mingle and to gain insight and perspective of other cultures.

“I think games are like food, ” Oehlers said.  “You can share it across culture. You don’t need a common language.”

Lama Library is still looking for volunteers to help curate and teach games to attendees. Anyone who is interested in helping should contact Oehlers at joy.oehlers@hawaii.edu or 808-734-9352.

International Games Week is sponsored by Lama Library with funding provided by the Board of Student Activities.

You have food, you have tea, you have games, you have prizes,” Oehlers said. “What more could you want?”