MEDIA RELEASE

Most of you know that last May we produced an amazing concert with the virtuoso ukulele player Jake Shimabukuro.  Getting to know him a little has been the highlight of the past year.  We had the opportunity to get his autograph on this brand new Kamaka ukulele, the only kind he plays.   We offer this special ukulele for sale to raise funds for this summer’s festival.

Generous friends of the festival have stepped up to the plate with additional auction items.  Michael Cromwell’s vibrant “Hula Girl” photograph is offered, as well as a luxurious Fairmont Orchid hotel package and exciting dinner packages at fine Big Island restaurants.  Gift baskets from Hawaiian Vanilla Co and Waimea Coffee Company are perfect for yourself or loved ones.

Bid on a Season Pass to all Hawaii Performing Arts Festival events!

Here’s a chance to help the festival and shop for a good cause.  Please join us at hpafsummerauction.cmarket.com!

MEDIA RELEASE

The deadline for vendor mail-in applications for the June 20th “Summer Farmfest & Ukulele Jam” in Holualoa Village is Saturday, June 13th.

The all-day celebration of local food, flowers, and beverages will be hosted by the upcountry village’s art galleries and shops along Mamalahoa Highway between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and also feature free ukulele concerts at the Kona Hotel, Post Office and grounds of the Living Hope Church. Vendors will have free samples of their local produce as well as offering it for sale to the public.

All farmers and vendors of local produce who wish to participate in the event are urged to get their applications from the Holualoa Village Association web site (www.holualoahawaii.com), or at the Holuakoa Cafe this week and get them in the mail by Saturday, June 13th. Walk-in delivery of applications will accepted at the Holuakoa Cafe until Wednesday, June 17th.

For more information, go to:
holualoahawaii.com, or call Mike Zelko at 895-0977

MEDIA RELEASE

The Holualoa Village Association is inviting West Hawaii farmers to participate in its first “Summer Farmfest & Ukulele Jam”. The Saturday, June 20th event will feature fresh produce samples from local farms and ukulele music on three stages throughout the historic upcountry town from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Much like Holualoa’s popular, annual November “Coffee & Art Stroll”, the new summer event will showcase local produce at most of the village art galleries and shops along the half mile stretch of Mamalahoa Highway between the Holualoa School and Imin Center.

Only producers of locally grown products are being invited to participate in the day long event. Farmers will be asked to provide fresh samples for the public and will be allowed to sell their wares as well. Categories being accepted include fruits and vegetables, flowers, herbs, honey, fruit drinks, jam and jelly preserves, meat, poultry and dairy products.

Other Holualoa Village Association member activities happening throughout the historic coffee town will be an expanded farmer’s market and grand opening of the new Artisan Foods Deli at the Holuakoa Gardens & Cafe, keiki petting zoo in the Cafe courtyard, and art and bowl turning demonstrations.

Applications for farms are available at the HVA web site; www.holualoahawaii.com, and at the Holuakoa Cafe. There will be a $25 participant fee for all accepted farms. Deadline to apply is June 13, 2009.

For more information contact Mike Zelko, 895-0977, about farm displays or Paul Maddox, 326-7709, about the event.

GREAT WAIKOLOA UKULELE FESTIVAL
Roy Sakuma workshop to benefit Hawaii Food Basket, ukulele giveaways and more

KOHALA COAST— Queens’ MarketPlace is proud to present the 9th Annual Great Waikoloa Ukulele Festival, Saturday March 7, 2:00-7:00 p.m. This event is a celebration of Hawaii’s favorite music. Master of Ceremonies the “Ambassador of Aloha” Danny Kaleikini will host 3 stages, with entertainers ranging from the Ka’u High School Ensemble Band, to John Keawe, Auntie Mary Ann Lim and a special performance by Na Hoku Hanohano award winner Hoku Zuttermeister. At 10:00 am there will be a master workshop with teacher Roy Sakuma in The Studio at Queens’ MarketPlace and a chance to win a fabulous Kala ukulele – all for the price of a food donation to the Hawaii Food Basket or $1.

“Queens MarketPlace is the Gathering Place of the Kohala Coast,” says Debbie Parmley, Vice President of Commercial Real Estate for Waikoloa Land Company. “And what brings people together better than music? In the last 8 years our Ukulele Festival has drawn audiences from everywhere. And as we continue to grow and expand, it’s becoming an event the whole community, the whole Island can get excited about.”
The ukulele came to Hawaii with Portuguese immigrants in the late 19th century, and was picked up by music-loving islanders almost immediately. The name is usually translated “jumping flea,” presumably for the quick plucking hands of skilled players. Its popularity spread worldwide, as the humble 4-stringed instrument was immortalized by celebrities from Tin Pan Alley to Arthur Godfrey, Tiny Tim to today’s Jake Shimabukuru.

On Saturday, Big Island ukulele enthusiasts can strum along and play their part. “We are very fortunate to have such a great lineup of ukulele masters,” says Parmley, “Real virtuoso like Roy Sakuma, Ohta-San, Boo Takagi, and all the others. Anyone with an interest in ukulele or any kind of music should come and take advantage of this opportunity to experience their amazing talents in person.”

Sponsors include Waikoloa Beach Resort, ukulele companies KoAloha, Kanile`a, GString, Kamaka, Pono, Kala and BugsGear, Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar, Romano’s Macaroni Grill and Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa. For more information, call Queens’ MarketPlace office at 886-8822.

Schedule of events

10-11:30 a.m. Ukulele Workshop with Hawaii’s foremost teacher Roy Sakuma
in The Studio Admission, $1 or one non-perishable food item for Hawaii Food Basket
Stage 1                   Stage 2                    Stage 3
Charley’s                 Coronation                 Island Gourmet
Thai Cuisine              Pavilion                   Markets

2 p.m.
Kris Fuchigami            John Keawe                 Boo Takagi
2:30 p.m.
                                                     Hilo Ukulele Band

3 p.m.
Ka‘u High School          Aunty Lani Lee             Ohta-san and Nando
Ensemble Band             Na Kupuna O Kona Alii

4 p.m.
John Keawe                Boo Takagi                 Auntie Mary Ann Lim
4:30 p.m.
                          Hilo Ukulele Band

5 p.m.
Uncle Willie Perreira     Ohta-san and Nando         Kano O Ka Aina, New
Ukulele Lehulehu                                     Century Charter School

6 p.m.
Hoku Zuttermeister