Category — Waimea

HPA Ohana Association sponsors the 17th annual event
October 27, 2008 - Waimea, Hawaii

See the VIDEO

Families gathered for a Sunday of harvest season fun and entertainment on the scenic grounds of the Hawaii Preparatory Academy Upper Campus.

The free event drew thousands of Big Island residents, and featured a huge pumpkin patch with organically grown pumpkins. Games, prizes, music, a silent auction, and a scarecrow competition were highlights of the 17th annual event.

The event is said to be the largest pumpkin patch on Hawaii island.

Those of you who have been checking in to the site every day already know the substance of this post, but I thought I’d write up something quick anyway.

Four new videos, three of them full stories, are now online. They were filmed over the course of a busy Labor Day weekend, from all corners of the island.

First, Hula kahiko in the Park, seen here: bigislandvideonews.com/20080830volcanohula.htm

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, HI - Halau Ha`a Kea o Akala, directed by kumu hula Paul Neves, presents traditional hula on a platform overlooking the sacred Halema`uma`u crater. Visitors to the park are treated to a free lesson in the importance of the ritual dance to Hawaiian culture.

That same day, I headed farther south to the big Malama Punalu`u Festival, which was the talk of Hawaii this weekend. They had a number of fantastic performers, but you will mainly see the talents of Auntie Diana Aki in this video. Check it out: bigislandvideonews.com/20080830malamapunaluu.htm

NAALEHU, HI - Music and family fun spotlight the need to preserve Punalu`u, Hawaii’s undeveloped gem along the Ka`u coast. The event lasted two days over the busy Labor Day weekend. Although the event took place at Naalehu Park, shots from the Punalu`u Black Sand Beach have been cut into the piece to illustrate the focus of the festival.

On Sunday, it was northbound for the Parker Ranch Round Up Club Rodeo, an event I’ve been looking forward for quite some time. The link is here: bigislandvideonews.com/20080831rodeo.htm

WAIMEA, HI - This year, the Big Island of Hawaii celebrates The Year of the Paniolo, recognizing the contributions of the Hawaiian cowboy to the state’s culture. On Labor Day weekend, Parker Ranch showcases the skill of the paniolo with its 34th Round-up Club Rodeo, and raises scholarship money in the process.

Last but not least is the Hawaiian Slack Key Fest from Kona, and even though I was only there for a short time, it may be the video of which I am happiest with the end results. Watch it here: bigislandvideonews.com/20080831slackkey.htm

KAILUA-KONA, HI - The musical tradition of slack key guitar is celebrated at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort in Kona during the 2008 Slack Key Guitar Festival. Well known local artists like Bruddah Smitty and Makana explain the history of the artform and share their interpretation with the audience.

That’s it for now. I hope you have as much fun watching as I did filming. Keep visiting, because now that I am all caught up expect the news items to be a little more timely.

Mahalo!