Windward Community College presents 2006 Windward Ho'olaulea on Sept. 16

Hawaii Music Institute to offer 'ukulele and hula workshops

University of Hawaiʻi
Contact:
Libby Young, (808) 235-7396
Windward Ho'olaulea Co-Chair
Posted: Aug 29, 2006

KANEʻOHE, Hawaiʻi — Top island entertainment, ʻono food, unique local crafts, keiki games, and activities showcasing Hawaiian culture will be part of the 6th Annual Windward Hoʻolauleʻa: "A Homegrown Celebration" Saturday, Sept. 16 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Windward Community College in Kaneʻohe.

The event, expected to draw more than 20,000 people, is being coordinated by WCC and the Kaneohe Business Group. The flagship sponsors are Hardware Hawaii Lumber and the Honolulu Advertiser. Admission is free.

"We‘re highlighting entertainment and programs spanning the whole Windward side —from Waimanalo to Kahuku-Laie," said co-chair Janis Chun. "We also have new activities to focus on the richness of our Hawaiian culture and WCC programs in art, music, science, Hawaiian Studies and other areas."

Chun said this year‘s community-wide, family-friendly event is shaping up to be the best one yet in terms of variety and new attractions.

Among the featured performers on the Great Lawn will be Kapena, Melveen Leed, Eddie Kamae, and Holunape, 2006 Na Hoku Hanohano winners, as well as several Windward Oʻahu hula halau and other musical groups.

This year the special emphasis will be on Hawaiian culture, with an array of demonstrations such as woodcarving, poi pounding, canoe building and plant identification scheduled throughout the day.

In addition, the event will feature a used book and white elephant sale, raku demonstrations, shows at WCC‘s high-tech Imaginarium, a bonsai exhibit at Gallery ʻIolani and community booths.

Not-for profit community organizations interested in having table space can call Gordon Miyamoto at 235-7747. "Our goal is to showcase Windward Oʻahu and help people discover opportunities at the college and in the community," said Chun.

Joining the Windward Hoʻolauleʻa this year—for the first time—is WCC‘s Hawaiʻi Music Institute offering ʻukulele and hula workshops led by master teachers. WCC will offer special HMI workshops that day taught by acclaimed musicians Benny Chong, Gordon Mark, Herb Ohta, Jr., Bruce Shimabukuro, and Ron Loo and kumu hula Noenoe Zuttermeister and Holoua Stender.

The sessions will run one hour and 45 minutes, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. The fee is $30 per session or $80 for the day, with a 20 percent discount for seniors 65 and older. HMI scholarships to cover workshop fees for students grades 6 through college also are available. Call 235-7433 or visit http://ocet.wcc.hawaii.edu for info.

For further information on the entire Windward Hoʻolauleʻa event, visit http://www.wcc.hawaii.edu/hoolaulea.

For more information, visit: http://www.wcc.hawaii.edu/hoolaulea