B on Hawaii

For nearly two centuries, caffeine enthusiasts have been reaping the benefits of Hawai‘i-grown (and harvested) coffee on the Big Island. Every November, the most devout followers and leaders in the Hawai‘i coffee industry share, demonstrate, taste, cook with, draw and paint their most prized coffee beans with anyone with the desire to experience them. It’s called the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, and this year it all unfolds on November 4 – 13 in Keauhou.

While the name Sig Zane isn’t unknown throughout fashionable circles on O‘ahu, it isn’t every day that the residents of one isle get to deeply experience the true artistry of an entire family of talent that resides on another island. In fact, there may still be some that aren’t aware: authentic (and hand drawn) aloha attire designer Zane is married to the uber-talented kumu hula (and cultural practitioner) Nalani Kanaka‘ole. Along with son Kuha‘o—an entrepreneur and artist—the Hilo-based trio will lecture, display and talk story at an open gallery event for an entire week in Waikiki.

Here's a “shout out” to our aloha amigos in SoCal: The Hawaiian production “One Kine Day”—a film that captures the lesser seen side of youth life in the islands—is screening at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival on May 1, 2011. Filmed entirely on location in Hawai‘i, this picture follows both newcomer and veteran stars on a ride in the life of a skater-slacker who finds out his 15 year old girlfriend is pregnant. 

There’s still time to get yourself over to the Honolulu Academy of Arts to soak up some island-made woodwork from many of the best artists in Hawai‘i. Through April 17th, dozens of artists will be displaying their work and talking to enthusiasts about the process (and whatever else you care to ask) in an open-format show that is slowly becoming an international draw.

Part of the “magic” of living in (or visiting) Hawaii is the multi-cultural fabric that weaves through each of our communities. On September 25, the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii will honor five members of this community as both significant contributors to Hawaii as well as Japanese icons. The theme is “Kakushin No Tatsujin!

Get to the store and stock up on Jello Pudding Pops: It will help you get in the mood for Bill Cosby's arrival. That's right: Fat Albert is coming to town. This legendary comedian, actor, artist, father and icon of America will perform two rare shows at the Blaisdell Concert Hall on Friday, January 15.

The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival kicks off this year on Friday, November 6, with events stretching through November 15th. Festival organizers seem to be taking advantage of the "cultural" aspect of the festival this go-around, to spotlight a number of unique offerings in and surrounding the Kona location, on Hawai`i's Big Island.

What began as a distracting itch nearly 40 years ago has blossomed in to the lifelong pursuit for musician Michael Utley. In fact, this keyboardist and self-proclaimed “product of the Nashville and Memphis rhythm and blues scenes” had his sights set on a life studying the creature habits of, well, creatures.

Father Damien DeVeuster was not only a unique character in the history of the Pacific Islands, he was a tie that helped bind westerners and natives in a time when tensions ran rampant. Next week, twenty-three island artists will create their own interpretations of Father Damien, to celebrate his canonization.

On Saturday, August 15, at 1:00 p.m. paradise time, the story of Peter Pan will unfold through ballet for those lucky enough to be in attendance at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. This isn't your grandfather's ballet (sorry grandpa): The show features 8 world-class, professional dancers that hail from Brazil, Russia, Cuba, Hungary and the U.S.