Event Explores Sustainability The Hawaiian Way
Bishop Museum Hosts Grow Hawaiian Festival

The 2nd annual Grow Hawaiian Festival, presented by Hawaiian Electric Company, will take place on the Great Lawn at Bishop Museum on Saturday April 25th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  This eco-friendly event, in recognition of Earth Day, is free for kama‘āina and military.

“Earth Day reminds everyone to think about taking care of the environment, and Hawaiian Electric wants to do its part,” explained Hawaiian Electric Company Director of Education & Consumer Affairs, Ka‘iulani de Silva.  “By presenting the Grow Hawaiian Festival we hope to encourage people to explore what they can do to conserve our precious resources, protect our island environment, and contribute to a sustainable energy future.”

The Grow Hawaiian Festival focuses on conservation, sustainability, culture, and endemic and Polynesian-introduced plants.  There will be a number of educational booths and hands-on demonstrations including:  kapa making by Moana Eisele and Verna Takashima, traditional weaving by Janice Kai, Patrick Horimoto, and Marques Marzan, Hawaiian implements by ‘Umi Kai and Solomon Apio, and stone work by Mike Mauricio.  

Festival music and entertainment include:  Hula hālau Na Pualei O Likolehua, Ka Waihona O Ka Na‘auao Public Charter School, Kaukahi, Holunape, and Weldon Kekauoha. 

Hui Kū Maoli Ola will be selling native Hawaiian plants; there will also be Hawaiian food booths, and much more.  It will be a great day for the entire family!   

For more information about the 2nd annual Grow Hawaiian Festival, please see the following schedule or visit www.heco.com or www.bishopmuseum.org.

Grow Hawaiian Festival Schedule
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Presented by Hawaiian Electric Company and Bishop Museum

Main Stage

9 a.m.              Hula performance by Na Pualei o Likolehua

9:30 a.m.         Hawaiian music performance by Holunape

11:00 a.m.       Kaiaulu - `ukulele ensemble of students from Ka Waihona o ka Na`auao

Noon                Hawaiian music performance by Kaukahi

1:30 p.m.         Hawaiian music performance by Weldon Kekauoha

Atherton Hālau

9:45 a.m.         La`au lapa`au (Hawaiian medicinal plants)
Alapa`i Kahu`ena and Nathan Nakasone                 

11:30 a.m.       Lo`i kalo (taro patch) Restoration
Mark Stride, Windward Farmers Association       

1:15 p.m.         Special tour of the native plants on Bishop Museum grounds
Nola Morgan

2:00 p.m.         Building a Hale Pili (grass house)
Marques Marzan, Bishop Museum Cultural Resource Specialist

On the Great Lawn:

Native plant sale, Hawaiian craft demonstrations, Lomilomi massages,

Ask-a-Master Gardener booth, Informational booths on caring for trees and plants, sustainability and energy conservation, Food booths

Participating artisans and groups:

Alapa`i Kahu`ena, Kanu Hawai‘i, Kaulunani Urban & Community Forestry Program,

Kealopiko, Hui Ku Maoli Ola, Hui Mauli Ola, Leinaala Kai, Malama Hawaii, Malama Learning Center, Marques Marzan, Mike Mauricio, Moana Eisele, Nathan Nakasone, Oahu Army Natural Resources Program, Patrick Horimoto, Solomon Apio, Umi Kai, Verna Takashima

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