Monthly Archives: January 2018

Clean the Pond

UPDATE: The next pond cleaning day is Saturday, March 17, from 8 a.m. to noon. The current tally on muck removed is 2,875 gallons.

Cleaning Waihonu, the pond at the heart of Lili`uokalani Gardens, is top of the maintenance priority list for Friends of Lili`uokalani Gardens. Starting in October 2016, Friends and volunteers under the direction of board member Alton Okinaka have removed more than 2,700 gallons of mud, muck, and debris.

The next volunteer day is Saturday, January 27, from 8 a.m. to noon. There also are land-based chores for those who do not want to get in the pond. Some protective gear (gloves, tabi) are provided. Participants are advised to wear gardening clothes and closed-toe shoes.

debris from demolished homes and businesses ended up in Waihonu during the 1960 tsunami along with tons of mud (photo from the Pacific Tsunami Museum collection on the wall at Coqui’s restaurant Tsunami Room)

The effort has concentrated on removing muck immediately adjacent to the stone edging the pond and three feet from the edge into the pond. This will better enable future mechanized cleaning of the entire pond without further damaging the stone edge.

University of Hawaii-Hilo students, Hilo Y’s Men, and Representative Chris Todd join in the pond cleaning effort where the mud is de-watered before hauling to a nearby farm

Also on the removal list is an invasive seaweed called gorilla ogo (Gracilaria salicornia). As the invasive is removed, native seaweed growth is restored.

Repair of the stone edge around the pond including restoration of a suhama (smooth stone beach) on the bay side goes hand in hand with pond remediation. Having a healthy pond is part of restoring the more desirable fish populations.

Fourth graders from a pond science class in Keaukaha form a bucket brigade to help remove mud

To volunteer for this or future garden work days, please refer to the Friends of Lili`uokalani Gardens page on Facebook or contact Alton Okinaka at alton@hawaii.edu or telephone (808) 383-4917.

More information on gorilla ogo is available here:
https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/info/invasive-species-profiles/gorilla-ogo/

Friends of Lili`uokalani Gardens is a 501(c)(3) non-profit operating on a Memorandum of Understanding with the County of Hawaii Department of Parks & Recreation. Friends work to provide maintenance on special projects, raise funds for capital improvements, and plan events to celebrate the centennial of the gardens 2017-2019.

 

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People’s Choice awards selected by ballot

Two photographers have taken top honors in the People’s Choice category during the second annual Banyan Drive Art Stroll held Saturday, January 13.

In the “Beauty of Lili`uokalani Gardens” art exhibit at the Castle Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, Stephen Davies returned to photography after a 30 year absence. This is the first contest he has entered.

Davies photo on canvas “Queen’s Bridge IV” now hangs at the Banyan Gallery

“My first camera was a Nikon F,” Davies said. “I worked with Michael Janis in Honolulu doing commercial fashion photography in the 1970s.”

After a career in the mental health field, Davies moved to Hawai`i Island in 1998.

“I shoot with micro four-thirds cameras made by Olympus and Panasonic. Most of my work is colorful close-up abstract nature shots. I have a love for Lili`uokalani Gardens and kept returning to this bridge.”

An addition this year was a separate ballot box in the photographers’ exhibit located at the Hilo Bay Café. “Path of Reflections” by Jared Goodwin won People’s Choice in the photography category. This image graces the cover of the 2018 Friends of Lili`uokalani Gardens calendar, a competition judged by professional photographer Charles Wood.

(c) Jared Goodwin, 2018 grand prize winner in the calendar contest plus People’s Choice winner in the photographers’ exhibit

The same image was recognized by art judge Darrell Orwig for first honorable mention in the art competition. Goodwin’s work is on display at Banyan Gallery.

For People’s Choice, Davies was awarded a $300 gift certificate from Akamai Art Supply in Kailua-Kona. Godwin took home a $100 certificate from Cunningham Gallery and Picture Framing in Hilo.

The second annual Banyan Drive Art Stroll attracted an audience of 1,000 to six venues throughout Waiakea peninsula. The event is sponsored by Friends of Lili`uokalani Gardens, Banyan Gallery, Suisan Fish Market, Hilo Bay Cafe, Castle Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, Grand Naniloa Hotel, Akamai Art Supply, Cummingham Gallery, and Paradise Helicopters.

To keep current with news, events, and volunteer days, please like Friends of Lili`uokalani Gardens on Facebook.

Comments and suggestions are welcome. Spammers and scammers don’t waste your time. All comments are reviewed before publication.

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Capturing light and moments in time

second annual Banyan Drive Art Stroll map/brochure contains a schedule of events for the entire day

The second annual Banyan Drive Art Stroll features events at several locations in Makaoku, the old name for Waiakea peninsula.

Featured on the cover of this year’s brochure/map/schedule is the award-winning work of William Wingert, a painter who will demonstrate from noon to 1:30 p.m. in Lili`uokalani Gardens in the square-roof pavilion close to the red bridge.

Wingert’s home is Hawaii Island where he lives and  paints outdoors, and in his Kealakekua studio. He also teaches painting at the Donkey Mill Art Center in Holualoa, along with an outdoor painting class in Waimea, and drawing and master copy workshops in his studio.

Working in oils and charcoal, William produces landscape, portrait, and figurative work.

Darrell Orwig, artist educator and this year’s judge of the art entries, said of Wingert’s painting: “The artist has rendered smooth, velvety reflections. The overall composition pleases the eye.”

Art on the theme of “The Beauty of Lili`uokalani Gradens” will be on display at the Castle Hilo Hawaiian Hotel and available for voting for the People’s Choice Award from noon to 6:00 p.m. Saturday, January 13.

“This is a very competent collection of work,” Orwig said. “Judging is never easy. Any one of the entries could have been chosen for an award. What I have selected is based on the appeal of the subject matter, craftsmanship, and concept of the piece relative to the theme of the exhibit.

Orwig selected four pieces for honorable mention: Jared Goodwin’s photograph “Path of Reflections,” Diane Renchler’s painting “Looking out from within,” and Marilyn Montgomery’s “Lili`uokalani Portrait” and “Curved Bridge.”

(c) Jared Goodwin, 2018 grand prize winner in photographers calendar contest

“My first honorable mention is a photograph titled ‘The Path of Reflections’ by Jared Goodwin,” Orwig said. “It is a handsome piece and exhibits a clear perspective and a well-balanced composition.” Goodwin’s photograph also was selected by photographers contest judge Charles Wood as the grand prize winner in the calendar contest.

Goodwin is among photographers who will give tours through the gardens. Meet him at 1:45 p.m. near the stone path featured in his award-winning image.

Diane Renchler’s piece “Looking Out from Within” won honors from art exhibit judge Darrell Orwig

“The Red Pagoda Looking Out from Within” by Diane Renchler also received honorable mention from Orwig. “The artist has formalized the space by using a very symmetrical design. The repetition of the palm trees with their reflections in the water produces an almost musical quality to the piece.”

Marilyn Montgomery’s portrait of the Queen was selected for honors by judge Darrell Orwig

“Several artists chose to render a portrait of Queen Lili`uokalani, the namesake of the gardens,” said Orwig. “I chose the pastel painting by Marilyn Montgomery. It combines a feeling of a hand-colored photograph that gives the impression of a snapshot of a moment in time gone by. There also is a sense of a strong woman willing and ready to face her adversaries head on.”

Orwig also selected Montgomery’s “Curved Bridge” for honorable mention. “What I see in this piece is reminiscent of classic impressionism. The treatment of the water reflections and composition are a joy to look at.”

Montgomery is among plein air painters who will be in the newly restored small shelter near the arched stone bridge. Her time slot is noon to 1:30.

Retired now from editorial and advertising illustration, Montgomery worked some in the animation film industry. She says her last real job was as a digital imager and color specialist.

Winners will receive gift certificates from Akamai Art Supply, Cunningham Gallery and Framing, and Ben Franklin.

The Banyan Drive Art Stroll, set for Saturday, January 13, will hold events and exhibits throughout the Waiakea peninsula. Photographers whose images were selected for the second annual Friends of Lili`uokalani Gardens calendar will be on display at Hilo Bay Café with grand prize presentation by Paradise Helicopters at 1:00 p.m. Artists will demonstrate en plein air in Lili`uokalnai Gardens from 1 to 3 p.m. Brandon Tengan will demonstrate fish printing (gyotaku) at Suisan Fish Market at 3 p.m.

An invitational art exhibit and silent auction plus entertainment are scheduled for the Grand Naniloa lobby and lounge. Registration for door prizes will be at Banyan Gallery.

Sponsors include Friends of Lili`uokalani Gardens, Banyan Gallery, Paradise Helicopters, Akamai Art Supply, Cunningham Gallery, Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, Grand Naniloa Hotel, Hilo Bay Café, the County of Hawaii Parks & Recreation Department and Suisan Fish Market.

The outside of the map/brochure features Wingert’s winning image plus recognition of sponsors

This is the first event of 2018 to continue celebrating the centennial of Lili`uokalani Gardens (2017-2019).

The inside of the map/brochure features a schedule of events organized by location

For more information, see the Friends of Lili`uokalani Gardens Facebook page.

Darrell Orwig retired from the Maui Arts and Cultural Center where he set up the Schaeffer International Gallery and was its director. He has juried many exhibitions on Maui, Kaua`I and Hawai`i Island. Orwig has a retrospective exhibit at Hui Noeau in 2011, a one-man exhibit at the East Hawaii Cultural Center in 2016, and participated in a group exhibit at the Wailoa Center in Fall 2017.

 

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Silent Auction at Grand Naniloa to benefit Friends of Lili`uokalani Gardens

An invitational art exhibit, a silent auction, entertainment, and appetizers are among the offerings at the Grand Naniloa Hotel during Saturday’s second annual Banyan Drive Art Stroll.

The invitational art exhibit will include both works for sale and prized family possessions not for sale.

Kenji-IMG_3793

Kenji Kuroshima of Hilo and Kobe is known for his photographs of hula, especially Merrie Monarch Festival. He serves on the board of directors of Friends of Lili`uokalani Gardens

Works are coming from 2017 Grand Prize winner in the photography contest Kenneth W. Jackson, featured calendar photographers Paul Miyasaki and Kornelius Schorle, 2017 First Place artist Valentina Montoya, Friends of Lili`uokalani Gardens board member and professional photographer Kenji Kuroshima, and Les Takayama, to name a few.

“Love of Nature” has been donated to the silent auction by artist Kristin Luning

A silent auction has been added to the program to help raise funds for Friends of Lili`uokalani Gardens.

Items donated include a two-night stay with breakfasts at the Palms Cliff House in Honomu, a hand-crafted necklace with custom case by Tad Sewell created in honor of the centennial of Lili`uokalani Gardens, a custom tour of Lili`uokalani Gardens for four with lunch from Suisan, chiropractic service certificate from James Clear in Keaau, gift certificates from Big Island Delights, a mosaic mirror from Paradise Plants, a boxed collection of cookies from Big Island Candies, “Love of Nature” painting by Kristin Luning, gift certificate from Basically Books, plus other items.

Mosaic mirror from Paradise Plants

“The Monarch’s Butterfly” by Tad Sewell

detail of “The Monarch’s Butterfly” by Tad Sewell

Silent auction bidding will be done by assigned numbers. Instructions  will be on a bidding sheet near each item. Bidding ends at 5 p.m. and successful bidders will be announced by 6 p.m. at which time items may be picked up.

Entertainment begins at noon with Cymber Lily Quinn followed by guitarist Ben Kaili at 1 p.m. Miss Holly K. from KAPA Radio will be the mistress of ceremonies.

The Christy Lassiter Trio will perform at 2 p.m. Slack key guitarist Ira Varize appears at 3 p.m.

Bambu, a trio featuring Desmon Haumea, Doug Espejo, and Conrad Giminiz, will wrap things up from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

More details on all aspects of the second annual Banyan Drive Art Stroll will be in a map/brochure available at Suisan Fish Market, Hilo Bay Cafe, Banyan Gallery, Hilo Hawaiian Hotel and Grand Naniloa Hotel.

Friends of Lili`uokalani Gardens maintains a Facebook page where information on events and volunteer work days is posted.

Please refer to the Friends of Lili`uokalani Gardens page on Facebook for current information on centennial events.

Friends of Lili`uokalani Gardens is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Comments and suggestions are welcome. Spammers and con artists, don’t waste your time. All comments are are reviewed before posting.

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Photographers at Banyan Drive Art Stroll

The second annual Banyan Drive Art Stroll will take place in several venues throughout the Waiakea peninsula on Saturday, January 13, from noon until 6 p.m.

(c) Jared Goodwin, 2018 grand prize winner, photographers calendar contest

Winners of the photographers contest will be featured in an exhibit at Hilo Bay Cafe. Puna Taiko will kick off the event with a performance outside the restaurant at noon.

Hilo Bay Cafe on Lihiwai Street across from Lili`uokalani Gardens will host the photographers exhibit

Grand Prize presentation will take place at 1 p.m. of a doors-off helicopter tour with professional photographers Mick Kalber and Bruce Omori. The grand prize will be presented by Cal Dorn, president of Paradise Helicopters and sponsor of the grand prize, Charles Wood, judge of this year’s calendar, and Vijay Karai, chairman of this year’s contest.

During the day, visitors to the calendar exhibit will have the opportunity to cast a ballot for “People’s Choice.” That award will be announced when the ballots are counted after the end of the exhibit.

Calendars will be available for sale at the exhibit and at Banyan Gallery. This is the second year for this fund raising effort for Friends of Lili`uokalani Gardens.

Photographers will sit the show and will be available to answer questions. Some photographers will be available for short tours through Lili`uokalani Gardens from noon to 3 p.m.

a promotional post card for the photographers exhibit features the work of Al Yano, Jared Goodwin, K.T. Cannon-Eger and Rita French

Rita French has images featured in May and December as well as a thumbnail in June. She will meet people interested in touring Lili`uokalani Gardens near the red bridge at noon.

Jared  Goodwin, whose image “Path of Reflections” is featured on the cover, also has a thumbnail image featured on the December page. He will meet interested photographers near the floating stone path featured in his cover shot at 1:45 p.m.

“Sunlight through the Canopy” (c) Debi Buck is the image for July

Professional Debi Buck has featured images for the months of January, July, and September, as well as a thumbnail image in October will meet interested folks by the Hiroshima lantern under the monkeypod tree at the east torii gate at 2:00 p.m.

“Sheltering Arms” is an expansive view of Lili`uokalani Gardens (c) Cheri Groom

Professional Cheri Groom will meet people near her featured image for November at 2:30 p.m. “Sheltering Arms” is taken from a viewpoint near the east torii gate along Banyan Drive near the large monkeypod tree and overlooking the entrance through the two Nagasaki lion-dogs.

Professional Charles Wood judged 111 entries in this competition, selecting 13 featured images and 26 thumbnail images.

Wood and his wife Kathleen moved to Utah from the Pacific Northwest in 1986 and quickly fell in love with the red rock and desert climate of the Colorado Plateau. Over the last twenty-five years Charles has created a portfolio of fine art and documentary images from the American Southwest and his world travels.

Charles Wood served as judge for the 2018 photographers calendar contest. Image and information from his web site: http://cdwood.zenfolio.com/

In February, 2015, Charles and Kathy moved to Hawaii and now make the Big Island their home. Charles continues to photograph both the mainland southwest and Hawaii.

The 2018 Friends of Lili`uokalani Gardens calendar also is available for sale at Basically Books, Cunningham Gallery, Paradise Plants, and Hilo Coffee Roasters.

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