By Staff Reports
(KANEOHE)—Grab your beach chair or blanket and meet us on the Great Lawn! Family and friends are invited to the 16th annual Windward Ho‘olaule‘a on Saturday, October 1, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. under giant banyans on the Windward Community College campus in Kāne‘ohe.
Windward Ho‘olaule‘a is the largest annual event on the Windward side of O‘ahu drawing up to 15,000 people islandwide. The free, family-friendly festival will feature the sounds of Brother Noland and friends, Weldon Kekauoha, Jerry Santos and Kamuela Kimokeo, Teresa Bright, Hawaiian Soul, and other top island entertainment, hula by Chinky Mahoe and Mapuana de Silvaʻs Merrie Monarch award-winning halau, unique arts and crafts, ‘ono food, keiki rides and activities, art exhibits, a college-sponsored silent auction, and educational and community displays. Schedule and details are at windwardhoolaulea.com.
Windward Ho‘olaule‘a is coordinated by the Kaneohe Business Group and Windward Community College and supported by community sponsors.
“It’s a great day for the whole family. We like to highlight the community partnerships between the businesses of the Windward side and the educational opportunities at Windward Community College, all punctuated by our amazing local musical talent,” said event chair Bonnie Beatson.
ENTERTAINMENT 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
10 a.m. start Opening oli and hula by WCC Hawaiian Studies students
10-11 a.m. Kahalu‘u ‘Ukulele Band (up&coming ‘uke youngsters)
11-22 p.m. Pila Nahenahe (with slack key Master Ron Loo!)
12-1 p.m. Hawaii Loa (traditional Hawaiian and steel guitar Master!)
1-2 p.m. Mapuana de Silva’s Hālau Hula Mohala Ilima (Merrie Monarch award-winners!)
2-3 p.m. Teresa Bright (multiple Hoku award-winner)
3-4 p.m. Jerry Santos and Kamuela Kimokeo (Founder of contemporary Hawaiian!)
4-5 p.m. Chinky Mahoe’s Hālau Hula o Kawaili‘ulā (Merrie Monarch award-winners!)
5-6 p.m. Hawaiian Soul (High energy R&B!)
6-7 p.m. Weldon Kekauoha (Hawaiian contemporary and traditional Master!)
7-8 p.m. end Brother Noland (Father of Jawaiian music!)
IMAGINARIUM SHOWS
In addition to live entertainment, there will be special family-friendly fulldome shows at the Imaginarium:
11 a.m. Earth, Moon & Sun
12 p.m. Maunakea Between Earth and Sky
Cost: $4 for all, on event day only; Reservations: Walk-in only; first-come, first-seated
GALLERY ‘IOLANI will be open from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. with 2X2, an exhibition of work from two emerging art programs at WCC—Hawaiian woodcarving and Atelier Hawai‘i. FREE
WCC ATTRACTIONS
Among the WCC attractions celebrating higher education on the Windward side will be free blood pressure readings by students in the Nursing Pathway program as well as nutritional “Back to the Aina” demonstrations from the nursing garden, fun with Chemistry, face painting with Phi Theta Kappa honors students, a student ceramic sale and raku firing, Marine Option Program & PaCES gyotaku fish printing, math and engineering activities, a medicinal/nutritional plant sale by Botany Club members and tours to medicinal garden by Agripharmatech students, Veterinary Technology student activities for pet owners, rocketry activities for keiki, activities from Career & Community Education, and information about college and career planning.
WCC SILENT AUCTION
Hotel stays at Waikiki Park Hotel and Double Tree by Hilton, a Kanile‘a ‘ukulele, movie and performing arts theatre tickets, Hawaiian art and jewelry, fine wines & beers, restaurants, golfing at Mid Pacific Country Club, Kualoa Ranch adventures, full body massages, and many items donated by vendors at the Ho‘olaule‘a will be auctioned with proceeds going to academic support services for students at WCC. Auction bid closing time is 5 p.m. at Hale ‘Ākoakoa. Check website for more info.
FOOD
‘Ono food to taste include Uala Leaf Cafe, Hale o Crepes, Uncle Lani’s Poi Mochi, Pacifico Pizza, Erin’s Shave Ice, Hawaiian Plate by GP Hawaiian Foods, Olay’s Thai food, India Cafe, MySuccess Shoyu Chicken, Paradise Kettle Corn Popcorn, and Heavenly Treats! Each food vendor will offer a Blue Zones Project inspired healthy dish option.
COMMUNITY EXPO
The Kaneohe Neighborhood Board will provide information on disaster preparedness, especially for the hurricane season, and Walgreens will offer flu shots at the event once again this year (Walgreens asks that you bring insurance card).
Blue Zones Project will celebrate its one year anniversary in Ko‘olaupoko with healthy cooking demonstrations, spin art bikes, giveaways, a “Wine @ Five” tasting and Power 9® activities that promote making healthy choices easier.
Windward Ho‘olaule‘a also partners with the Five Rs 96744 project, which promotes positive character building among K-12 students in the area. Keiki o Ka Aina Family Learning Centers, PARENTS, Inc., Waimanalo Health Center, Kaneohe Outdoor Circle, Ko‘olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club and many more community groups will be ready to share information.
COMMUNITY SPONSORS (We couldn’t do it without them!)
Flagship sponsors of the event are Blue Zones Project/HMSA, celebrating their one year anniversary, the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Hawaiian Electric Co., and HD&C (formerly Ameron Hawaii).
Other sponsors include Go Kailua Magazine, Minami Foundation, Hawaiian Memorial Park, Walgreens, First Hawaiian Bank, Enterprise Rent-a-Car Hawaii, Bank of Hawaii, Hawaii USA Federal Credit Union, KYA Design Group, Castle Medical Center, King Windward Nissan, Territorial Savings Bank, Central Pacific Bank and McDonald’s Hawai‘i.
For more information, to donate to the Silent Auction or to get involved, go online to windwardhoolaulea.com or contact Windward Ho‘olaule‘a chair Bonnie Beatson at 235-7374.
