Weekend Update: July 29-31, 2011

The last days of July are upon us and I can't believe how fast it's gone. Of course, there's always a lot going on in July, with Independence day kicking off the month and all that goes along with it. I spend the next two weeks in anticipation of my birthday, and although it's not quite the shebang it used to be, it really does tend to put me in good spirits.  Then I guess you could say that I spend the last two weeks of July in denial that indeed, summer break is coming to a close. And even though I've gone and caught yet another cold, I'm going to savor this last weekend before school starts, and the dreaded lunch making.

What's going on?

Happening all weekend is the Breakdancing Festival, which kicks of Thursday at the Donkey Mill Art Center in Holualoa, with an artist talk from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Ken Swift will discuss his 30 year career as a B.Boy, dancer, choreographer and performer. He will show and discuss film clips, rare footage and images of his unique career. This is a rare glimpse into the roots of Hip Hop Culture in New York City and the initial process of being a part of the group that exposed the world to these art forms. The presentation will be preceded by an Ohana Style Potluck.

The festival continues Friday with dance workshops scheduled for all at KTPS Dance Studio in Kealakekua. Swift will be teaching classes along with other guest teachers Bgirl Candy from New York and Bboy Joeson from Philadelphia. Workshops are $15 each and all proceeds fund the festival.

For the more experienced dancers and those who like to watch, there is a Bboy/Bgirl Battle from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at KTPS Dance Studio. Prizes from local businesses will be awarded. There will also be DJ featuring and emcee showcases .

Sunday, from 3 to 8 p.m., the festival comes back to the Donkey Mill Art Center for the Ride the Breaks BBQ and Graffiti Writing Art Exhibition in Donkey Mill's gallery. The barbecue will have many local DJs, a dance floor, live painting by various artists, a community mural that attendees can participate in, as well as Blackbook sessions where artists draw in sketchbooks. There will also be live performances from Fiyah Red, and local band Bump City will play breakbeats and classics with a full band and horn section.

The barbecue also serves as the reception for the "WallGems & WriteStyles" Graffiti Writing and Street Art Exhibition in the gallery. "WallGems & Writestyles" is a group show featuring works from Hawaii, California and New York City artists. At the opening reception viewers will have the opportunity to participate in a Blackbook session as well as see artists paint large scale aerosol murals.


For more information, email Yarrow Lutz at ridethebreaks@gmail.com or on Facebook, visit facebook.com/ridethebreaks.

Jack's Diving Locker is Celebrating 30 Years in Business! Festivities are Saturday from 9am-3pm with free try scuba and Snorkeling lessons for adults & keiki.  A mermaid costume contest at noon with a $100 gift certificate for 1st prize. There will also be deals and steals for your diving needs all weekend (Saturday 8am-8pm, Sunday 8am-6 pm). Call 808-329-7585 for reservations for boat dives, pool dives, and mermaid contest entrants! Click for more information.

Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort is hosting Hawaii Healing Garden's 3rd annual Mango festival again this year Saturday, July 30 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The all-day festival celebrates Hawaii's delicious and diverse mango varieties, with juicy mango recipe and fruit tastings, a mango tree and plant sale, grafting and growing demonstrations, mango-themed activities, plus arts and crafts, live music and hula. There will also be organic agriculture and cultural healing arts displays. Enjoy an Eco Fashion Show, Hawaiian music and hula on the scenic, palm-fringed grounds of the Keauhou Beach Resort's Royal Garden. Exhibitor booths are available for businesses and non-profit organizations. Volunteers are encouraged to help with festival day activities, speaker support and workshops. Visit here for scheduled music & presentations. I attended this last year with the children, and while I felt the event was mostly geared toward adults with informational booths and such, there were some cool hands on activities for the children such as handling sea life.

Kona Aerials Gymnastics Team will hold its 2011 Gymnastics Spectacular beginning at 5:30 p.m. Saturday under the white tent (behind the Tesoro off Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway). The 2011-12 competitive teams will perform. The annual cartwheel-a-thon, food and entertainment also are planned. I don't know why, but I'm a little excited about this event. Although we haven't attended any tumbling or gymnastics classes yet, my little girl seems to be interested in this sort of thing (perhaps it's all the climbing she does around the house).

Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park's 2nd La Hoihi Ea Celebration is Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., held at the Hale Hookipa Visitor Center.

The Hawaiian flag commemoration ceremony will begin at noon with 21 pu salutes. Cultural activities and demonstrations will begin shortly after 1 p.m. They will include Hawaiian drum making, kapa pounding, sled making, bamboo stamp printing, medicinal healing practices, feather helmet weaving, poi pounding, an opihi exhibit, free shave ice and more. The celebration will end at 5 p.m. with the closing ceremony. Call 326-9057 or 557-2568 for more information.

Let's not forget the ongoing goings on...Keiki Learn to Swim sign up is Friday at 11:00 a.m. at the Kona Community Aquatic Center...Queen's Marketplace has their weekly Movie Under the Stars Friday from 6 to 9:00 p.m. This weeks showing is Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2: Roderick Rules...Saturday is the Keauhou Farmer's Market at Keauhou Shopping Center, from 8:00 a.m. to noon. This Saturday is their monthly Farmer-Chef Presentation featuring Raven Bolas & Chef Wayne Nelson. Learn how the farmer grows Surinam cherries, watch the chef prepare them AND taste the results!

Have a great weekend!

Weekend Update: July 23-24, 2011

This weekend the big event in Kona is the 7th Annual Building & Design Expo, which is being held at the Sheraton Keauhou.  It is FREE, which we always love, and continues thru Sunday late afternoon. Being an architect and having lived in Kona for awhile now, you'd think I'd have been to this before, but alas, no, for some mommy related reason (the very first being I was a very uncomfortable 8 months pregnant), I have always missed it. While it's not meant or geared toward children, it's a great opportunity to educate and be educated about building (green and not-so-green), energy (efficient or otherwise) and materials (where does all this stuff come from). Here's the 411:

This free event will be held at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort. Over 65 exhibits featuring home design, construction, and remodeling ideas, including home decorating, roofing & decking, flooring & window treatments; kitchens & baths, solar products and more. Hours: Friday, July 22, 5-8pm; Sat., July 23, 9am-5pm; Sun., July 24, 9am-3pm. For more info, call Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce at 329-1758.

Happening again this Saturday is the Lowe's Build 'n' Grow workshop. The last workshop had a huge turnout and we even had to wait in line to get a table spot. It was the first time we experienced such a crowd here, and I'm not sure if it's because it's summer, because of the project (tow truck), or because of KAMA (give myself a pat). This week's project are binoculars, and there's some back to school projects coming up in August: a schoolhouse photo holder and mini locker. Go ahead and do a Google image search and you can see some of the other neat little projects Lowe's has offered.

Saturday, the 2nd Annual Will Play For Food! For Hawaii Island's Food Basket will kick off at noon at the Remixx Lounge (formerly the Mixx Bistro) in Kamehameha Mall. A $5 donation or 2 cans or more gets you in the door. There's hot dogs, balloons, a live & silent auction and other fantastic drawings all day, in addition to the great music: Master Of Ceremonies: Frank Burgess, High Velocity • Charlie Don’t Surf • Contraband • Green Machine • NesianSoul • Waikoloa Dance Kids • Tribal Fusion Belly Dance • Body Painting by Artfully Delicious

We're in the second month of Obon season, but Saturday evening will seemingly mark the last Obon Festival in West Hawaii.  Kona Hongwanji will host the festival beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the temple, located at 81-6630 Mamalahoa Highway, Kealakekua. If you aren't familiar with Obon, it is a Japanese Buddhist custom to honor the departed spirits of one's ancestors. This Buddhist custom has evolved into a family reunion holiday during which people return to ancestral family places and visit and clean their ancestors' graves, and when the spirits of ancestors are supposed to revisit the household altars. It has been celebrated in Japan for more than 500 years and traditionally includes a dance, known as Bon-Odori.  

Sunday, the Building & Design Expo continues until 3pm, but you can still start out the week with some invigorating activity!  Team Mango presents the Trash Can Triathlon, commencing at 7:00 a.m. at the Kailua Pier. This one is a sprint triathlon, translation: swim 1/2 mile, bike 10 miles, then run 3 miles to the finish. Having done several of these pre-mommyhood, I can vouch for the positive energy they invoke, and also the great excuse they give you to have a delicious, carb filled breakfast.

School is just around the corner and I can feel those lunch making sessions looming as summer events wean and camp sessions come to a close. This year (marked by the school calendar) promises to hold lots of changes for our family as our little one begins her school career and mommy is left to her own devices. I'm excited for the future, and also for KAMA, as we all continue to grow.

Weekend Update: July 15-17, 2011

One of Kona's little gems and one of our favorites places to go, the Astronaut Elison S. Onizuka Space Center at Kona-Keahole Airport is having a 20th Anniversary Celebration this weekend (Saturday & Sunday) to thank the community for its continued support.  Admission will be free with hourly door prizes, special activities and "cosmic treats" for children. If you haven't been there before, check out 2nd Grade 808's blog for a little preview on what to expect inside. Hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Parking rates apply.

King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel will host the 19th Annual Joann Williams Christmas in July Craft Fair on Saturday, July 16th, from 9am to 5 p.m. This art, gift and craft fair happens in the hotel's Kamakahonu Ballroom and middle tower grass area. It is designed to promote island artists and craftspeople, as well as several nonprofit organizations. Check out 2009's craft fair here.

The featured items include jams, jellies, ornaments, quilts, ceramics, dolls, Santas, jewelry, wood items, clothing, baked goods, wreaths, paintings, accessories, ornaments and ukuleles. 

Admission is free. Donated prizes from each vendor will be given away throughout the day. There will also be a silent auction. Call 325-5155 for more information. Free to the public. For more information, call 325-5155 or email dagoose@hawaii.rr.com

Living Stones Church is having a Family Fun Day on Saturday, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at their church (76-6224 Ali'i Drive - Bottom of Royal Poinciana St).  Expect a climbing wall, slip 'n' slide, food, games & lots more fun stuff! 

Rest up and get an early start on Sunday with Peaman's Red, White & Blue Biathalon. No entry forms or fees, no check in's and feel free to use your mask & fins. Starting at 8 a.m., swim a half-mile in Kailua Bay and run or walk 3 1/2 miles. Look here for more info and a complete 2011 calendar of events

"Orchids, Small and Tall" will be the theme of the free 29th Kona Daifukuji Orchid Club (KDOC) show and sale Sunday, July 17, at the Kona Daifukuji Soto Mission Hall in Honalo.

Kona's oldest orchid club will offer attendees complimentary refreshments, plus an orchid boutonniere corsage -- while they last. Time is 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a rousing 10 a.m. performance by the Daifukuji Mission's taiko drummers.

Guests will be treated to an elaborate display of blooming cattleya, cymbidium, dendrobium, phalaenopsis, miltonia, vanda and more--all owned by club members. A center exhibit will showcase miniature orchids atop lush ferns. Though smaller in size, miniature orchids are prized among collectors for their dainty charm, flower power and mounting capability.

Got growing questions? Veteran members will staff a Question-and-Answer Booth where attendees can get expert advice on caring for orchids. The club boasts eight charter members, who each have been growing orchids at least 29 years at different Kona elevations.

In addition to the informative educational displays, the annual event offers an outdoor sale of high-quality orchid species and hybrids.

The Kona Daifukuji Orchid Club is West Hawai'i's oldest orchidaceae organization, with a mission to learn and foster orchid culture and promote fellowship among orchid collectors.

The club meets the second Wednesday of every month at the Daifukuji Hall on Highway 11 at mile-marker 114.

For information, contact club President Cheeta Wilson at 896-3900.

Kokua Kailua is this Sunday! 

Stroll along (on!) Ali'i Drive from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and enjoy outdoor cafe's and restaurants, local musicians & artists with special kama'aina pricing at participating restaurants & merchants. At 4 p.m., a free Hawaiian Music Concert featuring the Merrie Monarchs men's glee club, with hula by the halau of Etua Lopez, on the Palace's South Lawn, presented by the Daughters of Hawaii. Bring your own beach mat or chair.  Wear sunscreen and/or bring and umbrella - it gets hot!

If you're still raring to go (or perhaps saving up your energy), The nonprofit Kona Ballroom Dance Club is offering free lessons in all types of ballroom and Latin dances during its dance party from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday at the Kona Elks Lodge in Kailua-Kona. The public is welcome and will be asked for a small donation. For more information or directions to the lodge, call Franz or Joanna at 326-9190 or Trisha Hansen at 325-2245. 

Whatever you do this weekend, have fun & be safe! Remember, you don't necessarily have to be out and about to have fun and enjoy your family!

Recap: Kona Mommies Band Day

Today we experienced Band Day with the Kona Mommies play group.  This is the 3rd year that Kealakehe High School Band Director, Chris Johnson, has volunteered his band room to introduce the children to music and various instruments. And, this is the 3rd year in which my children have attended. I was particularly impressed with this year's presentation, feeling slightly reminiscent of one of our Baby Einstein dvd's as we were educated on the "families" of instruments: brass, woodwind, strings & percussion.

Band Director Chris Johnson introducing the brass family:

Baby Trumpet, Mama Trombone, and Daddy Tuba

Rockin' the guitar AND the children's interest

The children listened attentively, interacted with Mr. Johnson and it made for a good show. After the initial presentation, the children were allowed to play, or experiment rather, with the percussion section (much to some of the children's dismay). No worries, no instruments were harmed during this hazardous exposure.

My 3-yr old can barely see the xylophone, but she didn't let it stop her.

Glad my son is experimenting with the pedal on the kettle, 

and not the one on my car.

Looking forward to another Band Day next summer. Thanks, Mr. Johnson!

Sunday, July 10, 2011

A few things happening this Sunday, starting early in the morning with the 2nd Annual Bike Works Hawaii 5K/10K Walk/Run and Keiki Dash at the Queen's Marketplace Waikoloa Beach Resort. This is a benefit for the Waikoloa Foundation, dedicated to the preservation of Hawaiian culture and historical sites. Race Day Registration and Check-in opens at 7 a.m. at the race starts at 8 a.m.

Kona Country Club is hosting a charity golf tournament which is benefitting the American Cancer Society, taking place at  8am. The tournament is full, but golfers are encouraged to enter the event's ball drop at $10/ball. Between 2:30 & 3:00 pm a helicopter will drop approximately 750 numbered golf balls onto the golf course's practice green. An entrant will win one of the tournament's 20 prizes if the person's golf ball lands in the hold or close to the hole. For more information, call Judy or Herbert at 937-9233.

If you prefer to be indoors, In Shape Hawaii is presenting, "Cooking for the Health of It", a class from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. in Kealakekua. Students will learn that "delicious, healthy, craveable, convenient, affordable and easy to make" are not mutually exclusive. Class includes tips on meal planning, quick and easy dishes, healthy seasonings and a tasting of foods inspired by world cuisine. Space is limited - Tuition is $50. To register for the class or for more information, email aronowitz@gmail.com or call 936-9001.