A “Save Kahilu Theatre” event is also in February. Arts under the Stars will be at Kings’ Shops from 5-9 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9.
Happy New Year. Let’s all join in to celebrate the beginning of a great and peaceful new year. Being presented is the “Ocean Experience, Ocean Environment, Island Culture” — Jan. 3-6 in Waimea, then Jan. 8-11 at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai.
This is a world-class festival which brings an exciting combination of 30-40 exceptional films, speakers, breakfast talks, Q&A sessions with filmmakers, panel discussions, receptions, art exhibits, a “Taste of the Island” event and activities to the Big Island with films selected to inspire, educate and engage participants in a celebration of the beauty, power and mystery of the ocean and island culture.
This year’s festival will feature several TEDx and TED global speakers, and several world, U.S. and Hawaii premieres, and many stunning, thought-provoking films, all to immerse participants in a greater understanding and awareness of the ocean and island culture. For a complete listing of films and speakers, follow the festival’s Facebook page, or visit www.waimeaoceanfilm.org.
Passes may be purchased online or by calling the festival office at 854-6095.
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Here’s an update on what the Hamakua Community Development Planning Team has been doing.
Over the last few months, the team has steadily concentrated on articulating the community’s vision through the following tasks: Development of community objectives and development of an analysis document, which will be an appendix to the plan.
Please join the team at the next steering committee meeting from 5-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 8, in Honokaa at the North Hawaii Education & Research Center. Dinner will be provided.
On the agenda will be: a progress report; community objective discussion and vote and discussion of CDP draft analysis. What can the community do? The best way for the community to help is to stay informed about the CDP’s progress and be ready to review the documents as they become available.
When there is a draft plan to review, there will be opportunities for the community to comment, testify, and revise the plan as necessary. Mahalo again for all your community support. The team looks forward to seeing you at our next CDP Steering Committee meeting and as the Hamakua CDP process moves forward!
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Waimea’s Biannual Hawaiian Quilt Show is coming up in February on Saturday, Feb. 2, in the Kahilu Hall (across from Kahilu Theatre). It is sponsored by Ka Hui Kapa Apana O Waimea, one of Hawaii’s oldest groups dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Hawaiian quilting.
Come view stunning new creations and several antique Hawaiian quilts, trace a pattern from the group’s collection for a small fee, and/or browse the craft fair.
There will also be a “learn how” area to get a start on creating something of your own. Materials will be provided.
This display is presented in conjunction with the community’s annual Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival. Admission is free, though donations are appreciated.
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A “Save Kahilu Theatre” event is also in February. Arts under the Stars will be at Kings’ Shops from 5-9 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9.
Meet artists from galleries, enjoy the restaurants and music and participate in a silent auction of items generously donated by shops merchants. Free and all welcome. Auction income benefits Kahilu’s new vision and mission to reopen the theater for this community. For more information, please call 886-8811.
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The 20th Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival is Saturday, Feb. 2, and remembers its past with an anniversary exhibit, entertainment by some of the festival’s first performers and a commemoration of its founders.
For two decades, the free community festival has showcased the 60-year-old cherry trees planted at Church Row Park and the Japanese tradition of viewing them — hanami. The event, held annually the first Saturday of February, includes a variety of activities from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at venues throughout Waimea. Look for pink banners identifying site locations from the Parker Ranch Historic Homes on Mamalahoa Highway 190 to the Hawaiian Homestead Farmer’s Market on Highway 19.
Spend the day to experience an all-day lineup of Japanese and multicultural performing arts, plus hands-on demonstrations of bonsai, origami, traditional tea ceremony, fun mochi pounding and a host of colorful craft fairs. Enjoy free shuttle transportation among most venues. For more information call 961-8706.
Carol Yurth’s column is published every Sunday and spotlights activities on the Hilo-Hamakua coast. She welcomes items for her column. Reach her by mail (46-1240 Kalehua Road, Honokaa HI 96727) at least 10 days before the requested publication date, call her at 775-7101, or e-mail waiukahenutz@gmail.com.