Loading…- PHOTO SPECIAL TO NHN | An undated photo of the Waikii Music Festival at Waikii Ranch.
Waikii Music Festival returns
The Waikii Music Festival is returning, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on June 16 to 17, at the Polo Field at Waikii Ranch off Saddle Road. The event is a unique celebration of Hawaiian, paniolo and country music.
The program on June 16 includes: multiple Grammy award-winning Ricky Skaggs and the Kentucky Thunder band, Amy Hanaialii and Band, John Cruz, Na Mele o Paniolo, Kohala, Reginald Burdon, and Uncle Donnie B.
The program on Father’s Day, June 17, includes: Willie K, Cyril Pahinui, Canadian counrty star Paul Nash, Paula Fuga, and from Big Island, Guy Cruz with his dad, Ernie Cruz Sr., the original “Waimea Cowboy” himself, as well as Willie Jo Camaro and Damien de Mello, and Carly Smith. On both days, legendary Big Island DJ Kahikina will emcee the festival.
In addition to the live music, there will be dozens of food vendors and local artists and crafters, and a large play area for kids with inflatable bouncers and a climbing wall. Plenty of food and beverages will be available, and drinking water will be free.
No coolers will be allowed at the Waikii Music Festival, and security will search large bags and confiscate alcohol. There will be no overnight camping. Parking will be free, on open fields. Advance tickets are priced $40 per adult and $15 per child (7yrs to 18yrs) per day, or $75 per adult and $25 per child for both days. After June 1 the advance price rises to $50 per adult and $20 per child, and the two-day pass (available only at Kahilu Theatre) will no longer be available. At the door tickets will be $60 per adult and $30 per child. Children 6 and under will be free. Tickets are available by calling 885-6868 or in person from the Kahilu Theatre Box Office. Web orders can be made at www.brownpapertickets.com, from 9am on Wednesday May 9. More ticket outlets will be announced soon.
Patrick Ching teaches in Waimea
Waimea Artists’ Guild (WAG) kicks off its summer session in June, with an inspiring class in realistic oil painting instructed by renowned nature artist Patrick Ching. The course begins with a free presentation and demonstration at Thelma Parker Library from 6 to 8 p.m. on June 8. Two days of workshops from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m. follow on June 9 and 10.
“Realistic oil painting may be learned quickly,” said Ching in his course description. “It is not as complicated as you think. Bring some photographs of things you’d like to paint; your pet, a place… picture selection is important. Try to keep it simple so you can finish or nearly finish a painting in one workshop.”
Ching has held a one-man art show at Governor John Waihee’s office, designed Hawaii’s first Wildlife Conservation stamp featuring the nene, and has been owner and operator of Naturally Hawaiian Gallery and Gifts in Waimanalo since 1996. His murals have graced the walls of Kaiser Hospital in Honolulu, Salt Lake Public Library, Blanche Pope Elementary School in Waimanalo and Seagull School in Kapolei. He is author of nine books and collectors of Ching’s work include the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. and the Bishop Museum in Honolulu.
Library kicks off summer program
The Thelma Parker Library will kick off its Summer Reading Program for all ages at 1 p.m. on June 2 with an afternoon of games, crafts, snacks and fun. The Summer Reading Program has three groups: “Dream Big – Read” for newborn to 12 years old, “Own the Night” for teens and “Between the Covers” for adults.
Program activities include: at 1 p.m. on Wednesdays, a craft hour with Pam for children 7 years old and up and an evening “Fiction and Film” program for adults; at 10 a.m. on Thursdays, a story hour with Eva for newborns to children 5 years old; and at 1 p.m. on Fridays is a movie with snacks for students 13 years old and up. The Summer Reading Program ends on July 7. The program will also include additional special activities. For more information, call the Thelma Parker Library at 887-6067
For additional information, contact: Beth or Tom Mehau at 887-2289, email waimeaartists@gmail.com or visit www.waimeaartistsguild.com
Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative holds dance party
The Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative is hosting a 1950s style dance party from 5 to 8 p.m. on May 26 at the Waikoloa School. There will be fun for the whole family including live performances by Elvis and DJ Wiliwili, dance contests, prizes, food and ice cream floats. Tickets will be sold at the door and are $10 per adult, $5 per keiki or $20 per family.
The Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative is a non-profit organization that protects and manages a remnant lowland wiliwili forest near Waikoloa Village. For more information about the project please visit waikolodryforest.org.
Viezbicke educates on seal encounters
In response to recent monk seal sightings at beaches along the Kohala Coast, marine conservation coordinator, Justin Viezbicke, will give a presentation on this highly endangered species at North Kohala Public Library at 6:30 p.m. on June 4.
The Hawaiian monk seal is the most endangered seal species in the United States, with only an estimated 1,300 seals remaining. As many beach goers have recently discovered, some of these seals live right here on the Big Island. It is exciting, but also dangerous to encounter a monk seal at the beach.
Viezbicke will discuss the basic biology of the monk seal, the pupping events on the Big Island, and the recent sightings in Kohala. For additional information or to request a sign language interpreter or other special accommodation, call North Kohala Public Library at 889-6655.
