27th Annual East Maui Taro Festival
Apr. 13, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This event provides an enriching experience which honors the host culture through food, product sales, music and hula, hands-on cultural activities, and “talking story” with Native Hawaiian Kumu and Kupuna. The emphasis on Taro cultivation is important anthropologically: DEEP TARO – This phrase represents the core of the Hawaiian culture. For more information, contact Judy Kinser at (808) 264-1553 or email info@tarofestival.org.
Mele Workshop
Apr. 10, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Hawaiians are connected by our history, language, culture and mana of our ancestors and storied places. Join us as we learn from Kumu Hinaleimoana Wong about how Hawaiian perspectives impact the mele that we sing, dance and chant in honor of our beloved land. Workshop will be held at University of Hawai‘i West O‘ahu, Room C208.
2019 Ku‘i Festival
Apr. 13 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The community is brought together to share mana‘o about planting, harvesting, preparing and eating kalo at the Ku‘i Festival. Youth from Ko‘olaupoko exhibit their learned skills and knowledge alongside cultural practitioners in an effort to sustain meaningful Hawaiian traditions and practices. KEY Project.
Ola Na Kini – Our ‘Āina, Our Community
Apr. 20, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
This event will feature Leeward O‘ahu public school students who studied ‘āina through service learning and developed creative solutions to solve environmental problems. Students’ families and the community are welcomed to attend to celebrate their accomplishments and learn how each person can help through an Earth Day Ho‘olaule‘a. There will be easter egg dying, ‘ohana activities and a student project hō‘ike! Free. Nānākuli Public Library. For more information, visit malamalearningcenter.org.
Free Lei Making Workshops
Apr. 2, 4 to 5:30 p.m. or 5:30 to 7 p.m. Kāne‘ohe Community Park.
Apr. 29, 2 to 5 p.m. at Enchanted Lake Community Park
This lei making class will consist of demonstration and the opportunity to make your very own Haku, Humupapa or Kui lei. Participants should REGISTER for the class, but walk-ins will be welcomed! Participants are encouraged to bring flowers and greenery to be used in their lei. This event is all ages, however, children must be accompanied by an adult. Free. Call (808) 233-7330.
Hula Arts At Kilauea: Hula Voices Featuring Kumu Kini Kaawa
Apr. 3, 5:30 to 7 p.m.
The Volcano Art Center’s 2019 Hula Voices series continues with a program featuring Kumu Kini Ka‘awa. Hula Voices is an oral history project which allows an engaging, intimate “talk story” session with Hawai‘i Island’s hula practitioners. “Talk story” includes their hula genealogy, traditions, protocols and experiences and more. These free, educational offerings will occur regularly on the first Wednesday of each month, from 5 – 6:30 pm at the Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Park entrance fees may apply.
Community Tech Fair
Apr. 6, 12 to 3 p.m.
Learn about everyday technology! Enjoy hands-on activities, demos, and prizes! Bring your smartphones, tablets, and laptops and join in for a fun-filled afternoon at Kapi‘olani Community College. Be a Shutterbug: Create your own light painting, try the bokeh corner, or go on a guided photo walk with fellow photographers. Make something: Have fun making a paper circuit, cord organizer, or working a button maker. Do some decluttering: Bring electronic devices to e-waste or some papers to shred. You can also learn how to prevent viruses and malware on your computer. Try new tech: Watch a local artist create anime & digital art and test out the latest gaming and computing devices. Cover the basics: Get support through small group workshops to learn iPad basics, travel planning with Google, and so much more. Free. Kapi‘olani Community College Library.
Hapalua – Half-Marathon 2019
Apr. 14, 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Hapalua 13-mile course travels from Waikīkī to downtown Honolulu and back, loops around Diamond Head and ends at Kapi‘olani Park, the traditional finish line of the Honolulu Marathon. Form a team and join the fun! The start of the Hapalua is by The Duke Kahanamoku statue in Waikīkī and finishes in Kapi‘olani Park. Date: 6am Sunday April 14, 2019. Start: Waikīkī Beach, Honolulu Finish: Kapi‘olani Park, Honolulu Distance: 13.1 miles Half Marathon. www.thehapalua.com.
Special Olympics Hawai‘i 10th Annual Polar Plunge
Apr. 6, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The 10th annual Polar Plunge is returning for an action-packed weekend of high-sliding thrills, all to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics Hawai‘i. Challenges participants to plunge down a 95-foot long, 36-foot high inflatable slide into a pool of ice-cold water, on the lawn of Waterfront Plaza fronting Ala Moana Blvd. Plunging begins at 9 a.m. and continues every hour until 12 p.m. This annual event is open to individuals, families, community groups, sports teams, student groups and anyone else who wants to take the plunge to support Special Olympics athletes. All plungers are asked to raise a minimum $100 donation for Special Olympics Hawai‘i. Passionate plungers, who raise $500 or more, will receive mahalo gifts and can plunge up to six times. There is a reduced fundraising goal of $50 for students of all ages, elementary through college. Those looking to up their chill factor can become Super Plungers and plunge 12 times in six hours in an above ground pool of ice water. Super Plungers are asked to reach a fundraising goal of $1,000 or more and will receive complimentary breakfast, lunch, refreshments, parking, mahalo gifts and more. For additional information on Special Olympics Hawai‘i’s 10th Annual Polar Plunge, please contact (808) 695-3528 or visit www.sohawaii.org. Registration is now open online at https://give.classy.org/2019plungehi.
