The Honokaa Loves Music Exhibit continues at the North Hawaii Education and Research Center (NHERC) Heritage Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is free, and all are invited.
This exhibit celebrates the unique heritage of music in North Hamakua — from ancient chants to plantation bands, to the Hamakua County Band. Originally called the Honokaa Band this latter band formed in 1884, making it the second-oldest band, next to the Hilo County Band, on the island.
Marking 35 years since Gary Washburn became the band teacher at Honokaa High and Intermediate School, the exhibit will feature a retrospective on the Honokaa Jazz Band and Ensemble.
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The Honokaa People’s Theatre is the place for “Keiki Hula” classes every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Please contact Aunty Aloha Dela Rosa at 775-1074 for more information. Other classes also offered at the theater include the “Honokaa Community Theatre” class at 10 a.m. every Sunday, and “Butoh” class at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
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The traveling Queen Lili‘uokalani presentation comes to libraries in North Hawaii this month. The Hawaii State Public Library System presents “e Lei, He Aloha: This is a Lei of Love, The Legacies of Queen Lili‘uokalani,” a free 45-minute program suitable for ages 12 and older that brings to life the story of Hawaii’s last queen.
The presentation includes selected readings, a sing-along of music from the “Queen’s Songbook,” a seven-minute film, and talk-story time moderated by the Iolani Guild of Hawaii with narrator Meleanna Aluli Meyer.
Sponsors are the state library system, Native Books/Na Mea Hawaii, Queen Lili‘uokalani Trust, Hui Hanai, Hawaiian Airlines, Alexander &Baldwin, King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center, Puuhonua Society and the Iolani Guild of the Episcopal Church.
Performance dates/locations are as follows at these public libraries: Monday, Jan. 13, 6:30 p.m., North Kohala; Wednesday, Jan. 15, 6 p.m., Thelma Parker Memorial Library, Waimea; Thursday, Jan. 16, 5:30 p.m., Honokaa; and Friday, Jan. 17, 1:15 p.m. at the Laupahoehoe School Library.
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The next monthly Third Thursday Thrive at the North Hawaii Education and Research Center will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 16, with all of the following community “Thrive” potluck gatherings to be held at the same time on the third Thursday of each month. This is a grassroots community group potluck to support sustainability and expand connections within the Hamakua community. All are welcome. Bring a dish to share and beverage for yourself. Also, bring your own non-disposable plates and silverware. For more information, contact Diane Scheurell at scheurell@hawaii.rr.com.
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“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee!” performances will be held at Waimea’s Kahilu Theatre at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 11, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 12. This will be theater’s first in-house musical in two decades. To order tickets online, visit http://kahilutheatre.org/Tickets. Don’t miss out!
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It’s time to strut your stuff, as the “Batacha Latin Dance Lessons” start Monday and continue for the next five consecutive Monday evenings at the Waimea School cafeteria. Registration will be held at 6:30 p.m. for the first two weeks only. Class begins at 7 p.m., to be followed by a half-hour practice mixer. No partner is necessary. There is a fee of $15 for the annual dues, plus $10 for this class series led by Lance Oliver. For more information, call Peter In at 885-4776.
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Come join in the inaugural monthly Business First Pau Hana from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday at The Fish &The Hog. These gatherings will be held to network, exchange news and develop new opportunities.
The new meetings are co-sponsored by Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club of North Hawaii. Everyone welcome! Future dates are Feb. 4 at the Red Water Lanai; March 6 at the Blue Dragon Lanai; April 1 at the Red Water Lanai; May 6 at Merriman’s Garden; June 5 at Blue Dragon Lanai; July 1 at Red Water Lanai; Aug. 5 at Merriman’s Garden; Sept. 2 at Merriman’s Garden. For more information call Penny Plagiary, Panacea’s Corp. (315-7776).
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Let’s celebrate Earl Bakken’s 90th birthday at Tutu’s House in Waimea, in the Kamuela Business Center Green Room from 3 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 8. There will be cake and beverages. This event is free and all are invited. Please call 885-6888 for more information.
Carol Yurth’s column is published every Sunday and spotlights activities on the Hilo-Hamakua coast. She welcomes items for her column. Reach her by mail (46-1250 Kalehua Road, Honokaa HI 96727) at least 10 days before the requested publication date, call her at 775-7101, or e-mail waiukahenutz@gmail.com.
