A new craft festival is debuting this week in Hilo, with plenty of live entertainment, cultural demonstrations and local vendors.
After 20 years of producing the annual Merrie Monarch Hawaiian Arts and Crafts Fair, Nelson and Kainoa Makua decided to create a new event dedicated to the perpetuation of Hawaiian culture and arts.
The Hana No‘eau Hawaiian Arts Festival will be from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium.
“We wanted Hana Noe‘au to be more than just a craft fair. We felt that we could expand on the concept to include Hawaiian cultural activities and resources,” Nelson Makua said. “We want to feature talent that’s here on our island and share with the community.”
Along with vendors and entertainment will also be local resources available like a booth for information on health care for Native Hawaiians and a booth hosted by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
“There is so much information that’s hard to access, so I wanted to make sure we included resources to give people the opportunity to ask questions and reach out,” Makua said. “I think having all these aspects together will be helpful to those who attend.”
Some of the Hawaiian cultural demonstrations and workshops will include kapa making by Dalani Tanahy, lauhala weaving by Wesley Sen, pahu drum making by Keone Turalde, lomi massage and la‘au lapa‘au by Ikaika Dombrigues, Hawaiian weapons by Kini Burke and lei making by Marcia Timboy.
Hawaiian entertainment will feature Darlene Ahuna, Gavien Mata and Eddie Atkins, Christy Lasiter and Friends, Nailima Gaison, Makaiwa Kanui and Kamalani Kapeliela.
Local food will also be available throughout the festival. Entrance to the event is free.
“Having a venue where everyone can come together with one purpose of community is special and important to our island,” Makua said. “It’s experimental for us, but I think it’s something we can pull off and continue to do annually. We invite everyone to come and celebrate the arts, music, food and Hawaiian culture.”
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
