Weekend Update: August 12-14, 2011

Since school began earlier this month, I've been having this unusual nagging expectation that community events will somehow slow down due to the fall school year and the weather cooling off.  This must be a deep seated (side bar) habit having grown up in Wisconsin, because 1) the August event calendar has shown no signs of slowing and 2) hey, we live in Kona, and it only gets hotter this time of year.

All you moms can literally kick off the weekend this Friday with a Free Womens Self Defense Seminar by Krav Maga. Law Enforcement Instructors from Colorado Krav Maga and Tactical Krav Maga will be presenting several seminars on Krav Maga in August.  In Kona, Friday August 12th is a FREE Womens Self Defense Seminar sponsored by Mana Martial Arts.  Learn to defend yourself against a violent attack, and more importantly learn to NOT LOOK LIKE A VICTIM!  1 in 4 Women will be assaulted in their lifetime.  Help us change that national statistic.  There is limited space in this free event, register today at www.tacticalkm.com. Event will be 6-8 p.m. at 74-5615 Luhia St, Kailua Kona, 96740

Also on Friday are the usual ongoing events:
Movie Under the Stars at the Queen's Marketplace (6-9 p.m.) is showing Marley & Me (next week: Rio).

"Everyday Salsa Lessons" at Village Inn Pizzeria & Nite Club (across from Big Island Grill).  Enjoy pizza specials while learning to dance salsa - who could ask for more? $5/nite every Friday. Basic steps start at 6 p.m., easy combos at 7 p.m. and social dance practice at 8 p.m.

Commencing Saturday, Establishment Day Hawaiian Festival is an all weekend festival where the public is invited to experience Royal Court ceremonies, traditional warrior exhibitions, cultural demonstrations, traditional crafts, music, games, double-hulled canoe rides, traditional food tasting and many more activities. Go early to see the Royal Court, Ho`okupu Ceremony & Sham Battle. It's only happening from 6:30am-10:00am Saturday only. 


NĀ KE'ENA HANA (Cultural Workshops and Activities 11:00am-3:00pm Sat. & Sun.): Hula Kāhiko (Ancient Hula), Lei Haku Ame Lei Wili (Ancient Lei Making), Hana Kapa Kuiki (Quilting), Ulana, Lauhala (Lauhala Weaving), 'Ohe Hanu Ihu (Nose Flute), Kūkūweke La'ī  (Rain Cape), Hana 'Upena Kiloi (Net Making), Ku'i 'Ai (Poi Pounding), Holo Wa'a   (Canoe Rides), Hana Hū (Spinning Tops)l, 'Ohe Kāpala Ki'i (Bamboo Stamp, Designs), Pahu  (Drums), Ulana Lau Niu (Frond Plaiting), Kahili (Fly Brush), Nī'au Pūlumi (Hawaiian Broom), Ipu (Gourd, making), Hana Pala'ie (Loop and Ball Making), Makau  (Fishhook), Kumu La'au (Woodwork), Ku'i, Wauke (Tapa Pounding), Awa (Traditional Drink)

Don't feel like driving? Establishment Day Hawaiian Festival is not the only event occurring this weekend. From 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. the Donkey Mill Art Center is holding it's 3rd annual Ua Makaukau Loa Award Ceremony honoring the influence and inspiration from legendary artists in our community. This year's honoree: Marie McDonald. Ms. McDonald has spent 50 years producing the exquisite lei of Hawaii. She is one of Hawaii's best known authorities on the subject and author of the definitive Ka Lei-The Leis of Hawaii and Na Lei Makamae, co-authored with Paul Weissich. In the process of researching these books she has brought to light the particular beauty of pre-contact lei. 

Through her love of lei art, Marie McDonald has also become an advocate for the preservation of the Hawaiian lands that provide the rare materials for leis and other Hawaiian arts, such as kapa-making.
Her research on native kapa-making has brought McDonald to develop ancient plant dyes for her own pieces, which were recently on exhibit at the Honolulu Academy of Arts.

Admission to this event is $15.00.

For your Saturday evening, Kona Koyasan Daishiji Mission is hosting their annual Obon Festival, beginning at 7 pm. Location: Kona Koyasan Daishiji Mission, 76-5945 A Mamalahoa Hwy.

Holualoa. In the Buddhist tradition, during the summer months Japanese residents welcome back the spirits of departed loved ones at these lively and festive dance events.

Sunday morning, get your sustainability on with this Aquaponics Introduction at the One Island Sustainable Living Center, Painted Church Rd., Honaunau. From small backyard to large commercial scale, growing food and fish is a smart food security project. See different scale systems and help build a small backyard scale operation. Tour to commercial scale farm also included. Hosted by One Island Sustainable Living Center, Painted Church Rd., Honaunau. Email hawaii@one-island.org to RSVP and get directions. $10 donation suggested. For more information, call 212-3547.

Babycakes Cakepops by Holly Wisniewski

So, I really, really wanted to go to the Establishment Day Festival, and I suppose I can still consider it (or there's always next year), but this month a fellow KAMA mama encouraged me to get a booth along side her at this month's Kokua Kailua Village Stroll, which is this Sunday. Holly Wisniewski will be promoting her business, Babycakes Cakepops and will have these scrumptious treats for sale. These delectable bites are a great alternative to cake at birthdays (as the kids tend to actually leave the cake and
only eat the frosting) and also for other events - baby showers, business meetings, etc. Leave the fork behind - let these cake pops blow your mind! Contact Holly at 808 989 0842.

While I get to be tempted by these all afternoon, I'll be promoting my own business, jama designs - graphic design & handcrafted cards.  From invitations & holiday cards to business needs such as marketing or business cards, jama designs works with you to execute your vision. On a more handcrafted note, cards are also available for sale or for customization. 


Stop by and say hello!


Aloha nui loa!