Ho‘olaulea Scene Good For Everyone
While the annual Windward Ho’olaulea is a campus showcase with plenty of food and fun, it also can be serious business for the craft vendors – especially if they’re trying to pay their college tuition bills.
Windward Community College woodcarving students Sean Ross and Tiffany “Nani” Enslen are examples of ambitious artisans on the move, and you’ll find them among the arts and crafts vendors at this year’s ho’olaulea, set for 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 28 at WCC.
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Ross creates wood chains and carvings. “I’m fascinated with wood that moves,” he said.
When he moved here from California, Ross brought a family tradition of whittling and nurtured it into a 21st century Hawaiian cultural vibe. “There’s not a lick of Hawaiian in me,” Ross admitted, “but I’m really into the Hawaiian studies and the arts side of it.” Whatever he sells at the 13th annual community festival will go toward his expenses next fall at UH Manoa, where he plans to study Hawaiian plants and agriculture.
A Hakipuu native and 2010 Castle High graduate, Enslen has settled into life at WCC, but looks ahead to a bachelor of fine arts in sculpture. She carves glass beads, fish hooks, bones – all with Polynesian designs, and especially enjoys handweaving cordage.
“The cordage itself is an art,” she said. “I’m giving cordage its own life. I enjoy carving wood, bone, shell and engraving beads with ink, sort of like scrimshaw. It’s like an old art, only updated.”
Visitors also can view the latest in academic, drama and music programs on campus, visit Gallery ‘Iolani’s manga art show or the new library, stuff themselves with great food and sit back for nonstop entertainment on the Great Lawn. On stage will be Kahaluu Ukulele Band at 10:15 a.m., Hawaii Loa at 11:15, Na Kupuna o Ko’olau at 12:15 p.m., Pila Nahenahe at 1:15, Hawaiian Soul at 2:15, Jamarek at 3:15, Hi’ikua at 4:15, Chinky Mahoe’s Halau Hula ‘O Kawaili’ula at 5:15, Le Jardin jazz ensemble at 6:15, Kapena at 7:15 and Brother Noland & Band at 8:15.
Also planned are health screenings, flu shots, exhibits, keiki activities, a silent auction, art and cultural demonstrations, an orchid sale, tips on disaster preparedness, and a trade show by Kaneohe Business Group, which partners with WCC to raise funds for college scholarships. (Last year, more than 25 WCC students received $1,000 each from ho’olaulea proceeds.)
Event chairman Eddy Kemp, a longtime KBG member, said the ho’olaulea has grown to be one of the Windward side’s largest community events. “We’re very grateful for the tremendous community support,” he noted. “It’s a way to highlight local talent and businesses as well as the educational opportunities at WCC.”
For more information or to offer help with the silent auction, call Bonnie Beatson at 235-7374.
