The second annual Hana No‘eau Hawaiian Arts Festival will be celebrating Moku O Keawe and Hawaiian culture with demonstrations, art, music, games and food this weekend.
Last year, Nelson and Kainoa Makua of Na Makua were inspired to create an event dedicated to perpetuating Hawaiian culture and giving back to the community.
“We had a good turnout and a positive response to all of the cultural demonstrations that were featured last year,” said Kainoa Makua. “While we love featuring top vendors, our philosophy for this event is about sharing different aspects of Hawaiian culture and finding artisans that want to share their art with the public.”
Hana No‘eau will be featuring about 30 local vendors and eight cultural demonstrators in the Moku Ola Ballroom at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, making the event a little more personal this year compared to last year at the Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium.
“We were unable to use the tennis stadium this year due to the (International Va‘a Federation 2024) World Sprints, but because we’re trying to make this something different than a craft fair, I think this location works perfectly,” Kainoa Makua said. “Outside is the view of Moku Ola, and we’ll be doing some activities outside as well. The Hilo Hawaiian has been really good to us.”
Demonstrations and workshops featured this year include, lauhala weaving by Wesley Sen, na ki‘i carving by Kanani Kaulukukui, lomi massage and la‘au lapa‘au by Ikaika Dombrigues, lei hulu by Gaye Covington and Koa Chang, Hawaiian weapons by Rudy Valentino, and lei making by Marcia Timboy.
Valentino also has planned to offer makahiki games for keiki outside the ballroom, so they can experience the fun of Hawaiian game culture.
There will be a wide selection of Hawaiian arts and crafts made by local producers, including designers Wahine Toa and Living Hula. Food and refreshments will be prepared by Chef Jason from the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel.
Live entertainment will be ongoing through the weekend: Darlene Ahuna at 10:30 a.m., Christy Lasiter at 12:30 p.m. and Lito Arkangel at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday; Gavin Mata at 10:30 a.m., Harold Kama Jr. at 12:30 p.m. and Makaiwa Kanui at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.
“We want to make Hana No‘eau an ongoing thing, because it’s more than just a craft fair, it’s about perpetuating Hawaiian culture and involving the community in that,” Kainoa Makua said. “We hope to continue making it a top quality event with standards worthy of Hilo.”
Hana No‘eau Hawaiian Arts Festival is free and will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday in the Moku Ola Ballroom at the Hilo Hawaiian.
For more information, visit namakua.com/hana-noeau-festival.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.