The ‘Ikuwa Festival returns to the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
This free event, held in partnership with Lonoa Honua and ‘Ohana Wa‘a, celebrates the interconnectedness of individuals, communities and the natural resources and landscapes we call home, according to a press release.
“‘Ikuwa is the month when great storms arise, dark clouds form, the sea roars, thunder rolls, birds squawk and the resounding energy of the honua vibrates,” said Lonoa Honua, owner and creator, Kekuhi Keali‘ikanaka‘oleohaililani. “Let’s explore the spectrum of sound … there is even a breath of silence in this resounding, reverberating month. … Don’t miss out. I encourage you to participate, come ignite curiosity and the intention of this season.”
Participants can expect to reengage the local community creatively and enhance “island consciousness” — what it means to live and think like an island community, and recognize the impact people have on the ‘aina.
“The canoe is a great physical reminder of how connected we all really are — whether it be the community hands that labor on it, the resources used to provision a voyage, or the navigator collecting cues from nature to set course out at sea,” said ‘Ohana Wa‘a board member Pomai Bertelmann. “This festival will be a reflection of these relationships, and ‘Ohana Wa‘a is ready to help share this story.”
Featured events include special planetarium programs about our relationships to land, sea and sky; makahiki games; hula and mele; a kuekeolioli ieiki oli challenge; wa‘a demonstrations with ‘Ohana Wa‘a crew; retail and food vendors; activities and crafts; community art; and the debut of a new interactive exhibit: “Ke Aouli ‘Olinolino.”
“He lani ko luna, he honua ko lalo,” said ‘Imiloa Executive Director Ka‘iu Kimura. “Like the ‘Ikuwa season, this event allows us to grow our pilina, interconnected awareness, between all that exists between the skies above and the earth below. We welcome everyone to join us for this special event and take part in the wide variety of activities and presentations throughout the day.”
‘Imiloa is located at 600 ‘Imiloa Place in Hilo. Sunday’s festival is made possible with the support of the Ama OluKai Foundation.
Admission is free to the public and includes access to all festival activities, presentations and live performances. Select crafts, retail and food vendors will require payment. Donations to support the festival can be accepted at ‘Imiloa’s front desk.
For inquiries, please contact info.imiloa@hawaii.edu.