Kona-based artist John Ferdico exhibits in Kahuku on July 20
Mixed media sculptor and visual artist, John Ferdico, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park’s artist in residence for July, will showcase and discuss his multi-colored model aircraft art objects on Friday at 10 a.m. in the Kahuku Unit’s Visitor Contact Station, free to the public.
The artist, who was born in New York, raised in Kansas City and moved to Hawaii in 2012, takes model aircraft, painstakingly builds and paints them, then uses the plane as a platform for surrealist visual experiments that both entrance and estrange. Ferdico’s work has been featured at the Honolulu Museum of Art.
The Kahuku Unit of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is located on the mauka side of Highway 11 near mile marker 70.5, in Ka’u, about a 50 minute drive south of the park’s main entrance. Entrance and all programs are free. Kahuku is open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
RMD Kohala and Waimea is celebrating 10th anniversary
Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko Kohala and Waimea will be celebrating their 10th anniversary with a special concert at 1 p.m. July 21 at the Kahilu Theatre in Waimea.
The concert will feature RMD taiko drummers from Kohala, Waimea, Oahu, Kauai and Okinawa. The multicultural concert will also include hula, vocal and dance performances. Special performers include Hui Okinawa Kobudo Taiko from Hilo, okinawan dancing by Ryusei Honryu Ryukokai, Norman Kaneshiro of Ukwanshin Kabudan and okinawan performing stars Ayumi Yonaha, Atsushi Yamashiro and Hidekatsu.
RMD Kohala and Waimea would like to thank the Big Island community for the support they’ve received for the past 10 years, and are looking forward to more years of sharing Okinawan culture.
Info: Call Kathy Matsuda at 895-2025.
Hula kahiko at the Volcano Art Center
The Volcano Art Center’s Hula Arts at Kilauea performance series continues at 10:30 a.m. July 21 with a performance by Halauokalani under the direction of kumu hula Moses Kaho‘okele Crabbe. The performance will take place at the Niaulani campus of the Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. This presentation will be presented authentically in an outdoor setting, rain or shine without electronic amplification. Audience members are encouraged to bring sun, rain gear and sitting mats.
Kumu hula Moses Kaho‘okele Crabbe founded Halauolaokalani in 1999, after graduating in 1995 at Pu‘upueokapu, Waikane, Oahu with traditional ‘uniki ceremonies under his teacher kumu hula Robert Cazimero. He is an educator, advocate and support for our greatest community asset — our beloved keiki o ka aina. His motto is simple: “Aloha trumps everything in man’s world because God is love.”
Held in conjunction with the hula kahiko performance, please join cultural practitioner Loke Kamanu and ohana, as they share with you “Na mea hula” (all things hula). Come and learn a hula, use various hula implements and try your hand at lei making. Experience the different aspects that play an integral role in the life of the hula dancer. These cultural demonstrations are hands-on and family friendly and occur from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on hula kahiko performance days.
Info: Visit volcanoartcenter.org.
4th Annual ‘Art is Healing’ juried art exhibition call for entries
West Hawaii Community Health Center (WHCHC) in partnership with Donkey Mill Art Center (DMAC) has issued a call for local artists to interpret and explore the theme of Art is Healing: ‘O Wai Au: Who I Am, and submit works as part of its fourth annual Art Is Healing multimedia juried art exhibition.
Art is Healing was created four years ago by West Hawaii Community Health Center’s President &CEO Richard Taaffe and Donkey Mill Art Center’s founder Hiroki Morinoue as a way to bring visual art into the healing process by building a permanent collection of art for the West Hawaii Community Health Center locations throughout West Hawaii.
Interested artists may submit pieces from all disciplines in visual arts including wood, fiber, clay, metal, drawing, painting, prints and photography. Artists are limited to two submissions and each art piece must include a completed entry form with description and signed agreement.
Art is Healing: ‘O Wai Au: Who I Am will be juried by Kumu Hula Keala Ching and Mina Elison. Ching, a Hawaiian cultural educator, composer and spiritual advisor is also fluent in Hawaiian language, the foundation for his teachings. He is co-founder and executive director of Na Wai Iwi Ola Foundation. Elison is a guest curator for Donkey Mill Art Center’s exhibit, Ka Wa Ma Hope: Navigating the Future with the Past. Elison has an M.A. in Museum Studies from New York University, has worked with the Japan Society in New York City, the Contemporary Museum in Honolulu and is the curator at Kona Historical Society.
Entry submission deadline is Friday, Sept. 7 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. All artwork must be hand-delivered to the West Hawaii Community Health Center’s Kealakehe location (74-5214 Keanalehu Drive).
A detailed entry information can be downloaded at www.westhawaiichc.org/calling-all-artists.
Info: Contact Natasha Ala by emailing nala@westhawaiichc.org or calling 331-6472.
Waimea Ballroom Dance Club announces West Coast Swing lessons
Waimea Ballroom Dance Club is offering six weeks of West Coast Swing dance lessons on Mondays beginning July 23 through August 27 at Kahilu Town Hall. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m. for the first two weeks, and dancing begins at 7 p.m. Cost is $40. One time drop in is $10 any week.
Info: Contact Colleen Kelly at waimeaballroomdance@yahoo.com.