Ho, ho, ho: The Christmas week flew by so fast that the Kokua Way column slipped by me, too.
Ho, ho, ho: The Christmas week flew by so fast that the Kokua Way column slipped by me, too.
Happy New Year, all. Keep those positive thoughts a-coming and it will be a good year!
Hawaii Preparatory Academy proudly presents the world-renowned and award-winning children’s eco-music group, the Banana Slug String Band in concert at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 17 at the school’s Gates Performing Arts Center. The concert, which is free and open to the public, kicks off the school’s 2014 ‘Ohana Sustainability Event series.
The Banana Slug String Band is a group of lovable musicians and educators from the coastal redwoods of Northern California who helped pioneer the art of children’s edu-tainment.
The Slugs are “Airy” Larry Graff, Doug “Dirt” Greenfield, “Solar” Steve Van Zandt and “Marine” Mark Nolan. Perhaps best known for the organic food anthem, “Dirt Made My Lunch,” the Banana Slugs have long been favorites of kids of all ages. The band’s music, which ranges from rockin’ boogies to sensitive ballads; folk songs to reggae and rap, features vocals, guitar, banjo, mandolin, bass, harmonica, and percussion. Shows include wild-and-wacky costumes, audience participation, and puppets that entertain and educate audiences about caring for the Earth.
The band has performed at hundreds of venues across the U.S., including the Museum of Natural History in New York City, the Montalvo Arts Center, and the New Orleans Jazz Festival. Their many awards include AFIM’s (Association for Independent Music) Indie Award for Best Children’s Recording and a NAPPA (National Parenting Publications Awards) Gold Award.
“Music resonates,” said Van Zandt. “Whether it is a song that is stuck in your head for a day, or a tune that lives within us for a lifetime, music holds the power to transcend time and place and to touch our deepest emotions.
“Now, after almost 30 years together as a band, we Banana Slugs can proudly say we have spread our music to schools, households, and nature centers throughout the country. Our songs appear in local, national, and international education curricula, and we continue to find new ways to collaborate with others to use music as a way to educate and promote social and environmental well-being.”
For more information, contact Koh Ming Wei at 443-9231, or email mwkoh@hpa.edu.
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We are all asked to report North Hawaii nene sightings. To help track the wanderings of nene relocated to Hawaii Island from Kauai, we are asked to call the East Hawaii office of the state Division of Forestry and Wildlife office (974-4221) and leave a message with the location and number of birds, as well as your name and phone number so that researchers can contact you for more information.
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The fourth annual Waimea Ocean Film Festival is now through Jan. 10. Award-winning films, breakfast talks, presentations and exhibits are scheduled between Kahilu Theatre, HPA Gates Theatre, Parker School Theatre, Anna Ranch, the Mauna Kea Resort and The Fairmont Orchid Jan. 2-5, before moving to Four Seasons Resort Hualalai Jan. 6-10. Join filmmakers and special guests at the Taste of the Island evening, hosted at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on Jan. 5, and the closing night gala at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on Jan. 10. For more information, visit www.waimeaoceanfilm.org, contact info@waimeaoceanfilm.org or 854-6095.
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Kahilu Theatre has a limited half-price offer for the “Spelling Bee” musical through Friday, Jan. 3, for “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee!” performances at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 11, and 2 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 12. This will be the theater’s first in-house musical in two decades, and they want it affordable for everyone. Order tickets online: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php. After selecting seats, put in the code: 2014SPECIAL. You can order $10, $15 and $20 tickets; $25 seats are not part of that offer and are almost sold out. Don’t miss out!
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There will be a North Hawaii Little League clinic and registration from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Jan. 4, at Waimea Park’s A Field. This will be the last day for 2014 season registration for boys and girls ages 9-10 (minors) and 11-12 (majors). Parents or legal guardians must bring an original and copy of child’s birth certificate and also the original and a copy of their valid I.D. Clinic is free and parents should participate in a short meeting at end of clinic. Light snacks available to youth participants. To register, or for more information, contact league Vice President Jerry Bleckel at jbleckel@hpa.edu or 333-9552.