MO'ILI'ILI — Dressed in a white barong tagalog and black pants, 10-year-old Kenny Fujioka jumped back and forth barefoot over two long bamboo poles.

He was rehearsing a traditional Filipino dance called tinikling, in which dancers imitate the movement of a bird that lives in rice paddies.

"It's easy," Kenny said, smiling. "I like showing off."

This is just one of several cultural dances that will be showcased at the second annual Multi-Cultural Fair tomorrow at Kuhio Elementary School, where Kenny is a fifth-grader.

The fair will feature the various cultures of the 370 students at the school.

Students will perform songs, dances and demonstrations from around the world.

Volunteers — mostly parents — will man booths representing 18 countries, sharing their knowledge about the culture, language and customs.

Local businesses will provide food for the Tastes of the World buffet, held in the school cafeteria.

Cost is $5 per plate, with the money going toward cultural field trips for the students.

Last year, the fair raised $1,200.

"I think there is nothing that will prepare you for this world better than learning about cultures when you're young," said Fred Bandack, Multi-Cultural Fair chairman and father of two daughters who attend Kuhio Elementary. "If people learn more about other cultures, they'll understand the world a little better."

Originally from Italy, Bandack practices what he preaches.

He and his wife, who's from Vietnam, take their children to cultural events and museums every chance they get.

"I want them to have a love for learning about other cultures," Bandack said.

"It's important to open their eyes now."

Kuhio Elementary seems like an ideal school for a cultural fair like this.

There are 27 languages spoken at the Title I school, where 71 percent of the students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a common measure of poverty. At least 28 percent of the students are English Language Learners, said principal Evelyn Hao.

The school boasts students from all over the world, including Laos, Micronesia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, India, Thailand, Cambodia, Mongolia, Japan and Palau.

"You just name it, and we've got it," Hao said, laughing.

Learning about their cultures is not only important in expanding their horizons, Hao said. It's about having pride in their heritage, too.

"This is really an eye-opener for everyone," she said.

Leah Ramos, a 27-year-old mother of two, helped choreograph the Filipino bamboo dance, making it a little easier for the four students, including her 6-year-old daughter Katie, to perform it.

She's glad to see her daughter — who's Filipino, Japanese and Korean — take an interest in her culture.

"This has been such a great opportunity for her," said Ramos, who immigrated to Hawai'i from Manila.

"I've started introducing her to more things — even the foods — and she's open to it now."

Most importantly, Hao said, the kids are having fun learning about different customs, foods and traditions from around the world.

"That's what they'll remember," Hao said. "They're having a lot of fun."

Reach Catherine E. Toth at ctoth@honoluluadvertiser.com.