Spirit of Aloha | Happenings | Happenings in Hawai'i

Happenings
By KATHY REIMERS

Through March 16 O‘ahu
Away from the Dusty World features three rare copper engravings made in China toward the end of the 18th century, depicting the “Gardens of Complete Clarity” (Yuanming yuan), or the Old Summer Palace. The palace was a retreat for China’s emperors from their obligations and the cold formality of the Forbidden City, where they could enjoy extensive collections of literature and art and the pleasures of cultivated nature. Honolulu Academy of Arts. Admission. 532-8700.

Jan. 6 Big Island
Kamuela Philharmonic Winter Concert features a perennial favorite and a world premiere performance with Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 “From the New World,” a work that draws heavily on Negro spirituals and is infused with the spirit of Native American refrains; plus Paul Csige’s “Voyages,” a programmatic piece about the first Hawaiians leaving the South Pacific and taking the long voyage into the unknown. Kahilu Theatre, Waimea. Free. 935-2058.


Jan. 5-Feb. 7 O‘ahu, Maui, Big Island
Chinese New Year celebrations welcome the Year of the Rat with traditional lion dancers; drums, gongs and cymbals; ethnic foods; cultural demonstrations and displays that illustrate the Chinese influence on Hawai‘i; martial arts, Chinese dancing and singing; thousands of firecrackers; and much more. Free. For information on the Hilo Chinese New Year Festi­val, call 933-9772; for Lahaina, 888-310-1117; and O‘ahu, 533-3181.

Jan 7, 14, 21, 28; Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25 Big Island
Niaulani Nature Walk is a one-hour adventure through a lush portion of old-growth Hawaiian rain forest on an easy, 0.7-mile loop trail. Guides focus on biological, ecological and geological features of the area, as well as cultural usage of flora and fauna by Native Hawaiians. Departs from the Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus, Volcano Village. Free (donations welcome). 967-8222 or visit volcanoartcenter.org

Jan. 15-24 O‘ahu
Lost and Found features photographic works by children recovering from the devastating loss of a parent, representing the use of the narrative process of photography to provide tools for healing. The exhibit results from a partnership between ProjectFocus Hawai‘i, a community service effort to enrich children’s lives through photography, and Kids Hurt, Too, a nonprofit that brings together grieving children and parents, with support from the Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts. Honolulu Hale Courtyard. Free. 527-5288 or visit projectfocushawaii.com

Jan. 27 O‘ahu
23rd Annual Ala Wai Challenge celebrates ancient sports of Hawai‘i, including canoe racing and unique makahiki games such as spear throwing, dart sliding, stone throwing and tug of war. The fun-filled morning begins with a double-hulled canoe procession in ‘oli (chant) and kahiko (ancient hula and song). Enjoy handmade Hawaiian crafts, free entertainment, food vendors, authentic lomilomi (Hawaiian massage) and lä‘au lapa‘au (Hawaiian medicinal herbs). Trolley pick-ups will be available as well as a free canoe taxi to take visitors across the canal to the event. Ala Wai Neighborhood Park, Waikïkï. Free. 923-1802.

Feb. 1-2 Big Island
Bluegrass Concert (Feb. 1) and Bluegrass Harmony Singing Workshop (Feb. 2), with Grammy Award-nominated folk recording artists Laurie Lewis and Tom Rozum. Kïlauea Military Camp Theater, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Admission. 967-8222 or visit volcanoartcenter.org

Feb. 2 Kaua‘i
Annual Hula Ho¯‘ike by Leilani Bond and Hälau Hula o Leilani present performances by keiki (children) and adult hula dancers plus top Island musical groups such as Holunape, a traditional Hawaiian music trio. The event also features local arts and crafts, food and a great family atmosphere. Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall, Lïhu‘e. Admission. 651-0681 or 651-0864.

Feb, 16-23 Maui
The Third Annual Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational offers a unique chance for art lovers to see top plein-air painters from Hawai‘i and the Mainland at work. Artists will spend a week painting everything from Maui’s pristine beaches to its vanishing plantation houses and Lahaina’s bustling town scenes. The paintings will debut at the Maui Nö Ka ‘Oi magazine gala at the Village Gallery Contemporary in Lahaina on Feb. 22. Free. 298-6360 or visit hawaiipleinair.com

Feb. 18-23 O‘ahu
Fields Open in Hawai‘i Last year’s champion, Stacy Prammanasudh, will defend her title at this $1.3 million, 54-hole event, the second on the 2008 LPGA calendar. Kö ‘Olina Resort & Marina. Admission. 671-1727.

Feb. 22-23 Kaua‘i
The 30th Annual Waimea Town Celebration attracts more than 10,000 residents and visitors for two days of continuous Island entertainment, food booths, arts and crafts, games, a beer garden, sporting events and contests at the Old Waimea Sugar Mill. Waimea. Free. 335-3133.