Arts & Culture

In the run up through November, Fashion Month, Ala Moana Center is celebrating different facets of Hawai‘i’s fashion industry in a new pop up called the Fashion Annex.  The current exhibition features a view of fashion that is both ancient and possibly futuristic.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa explores the idea of clothing that integrates understanding of culture, materials, and place. 

   As art galleries have come and gone, more and more businesses have begun  showing  art as a regular part of their activities.  Eateries, especially, have been in on this for a while and a new café on Monsarrat is making art central to its mission.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa reports.

"The Artwork of Kelly Sueda and Lloyd Sueda” will be on view at ARS Café on Diamond Head through September .

In the mid-20th century, jazz, abstract expressionism, open form poetry, were some of the art forms that celebrated a kind of escape from regimentation and expectation.  An interest in process arose, and for some, the journey became more important than the destination.   HPR’s Noe Tanigawa reports a revival of that spirit is underway, for example, in an exhibition at UH Mānoa.

This Wednesday around 2pm, skateboarders take on Peter Chamberlain’s interactive room.   Friday 2 to 4pm everyone’s invited to participate in the closing non-extravaganza.  

  Invasive Alien Species, IAS, are organisms introduced outside their natural range. This week, Hawai'i committed itself to a comprehensive new bio security plan against invasive alien species, but its success depends partly on how vigilant others are.  In 2010, nearly all the world‘s governments agreed to address IAS, but today, only three percent of countries are on track to meet international commitments.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa reports the Honolulu Challenge issued at the World Conservation Congress hopes to reinvigorate positive efforts.

 A potentially game changing new tool for business has been launched at the World Conservation Congress in Hawai‘i.  It’s called the Natural Capital Protocol and was tested with over fifty companies including Coca-Cola, Dow, Nestlé, and Shell.  For the first time, businesses and consumers can know the true costs of production.  

President Obama is coming to the world conservation congress in Honolulu to herald the creation of the world's largest ecologically protected area, Papahanaumokuakea. The northwestern sweep of Hawai’i’s archipelago is a treasure for biologists, marine scientists, archaeologists, cultural practitioners, naval historians, and others.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa reports mysterious stone figures are among the items featured in a new exhibit at the Bishop Museum. 

   Art and Flea is an eclectic collection of local artisans and style makers who have generally shown their wares at trendy night events.  This Saturday, Art and Flea is coming to a venue you may find more convenient, the Honolulu Museum of Art School.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa previews what will be in store.

Experience Art and Flea at the Honolulu Museum of Art School this Saturday, August 27th, from 4-9PM.  

  In Hawai‘i we just don’t do things the way everybody else does.  We actually give a wave, thanks! when we change lanes.  We let people cut in to improve the whole flow.  We hold the door for those behind us and yes, we do still smile at strangers on the street.  In the world of textile art, HPR’s Noe Tanigawa found that,  we’re doing it again, forging an impressively inclusive fiber art show of our own. 

  By a couple of years ago, the Hawai‘i Shakespeare Festival had finished performing all The Bard’s plays--the great, the obscure, and the questionable.   At this point, real experimentation is getting unleashed.  Inspired by David Peterson, who developed languages for the Game of Thrones series, one of the founders of the festival has devised invented languages for "A Midsummer Night’s Dream."  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa reports.

"A Midsummer Night’s Dream" continues at The ARTS at Marks' Garage through August 21, 2016.

   Changes in life produce changes in the work we do, that seems a given, and it’s especially apparent in the work of visual artists.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa spoke with painter Sanit Khewhock about the cheery works in his current show.

A show of works by Sanit Khewhock and Janetta Knapp continues at Cedar Street Galleries through September 4.  

  Sculptor Randy Takaki was well known, in a way.  His carved figures are mysterious, but oddly inviting, and he made thousands of them.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa discovered the many people who own and dealt with the works are connected by a singular thread.

An "Homage to Randy Takaki" continues at the East Hawai‘i Cultural Center in Hilo through September 2, 2016. 

On O‘ahu,  Randy Takaki’s memorial tribute will take place on Saturday, August 27th, 2016 from 2 pm to 4 pm at the courtyard of KCC's Koa Art Gallery.  Donations to the family are welcome. 

  The music business is of one of those most affected by changes in digital culture and musicians are scrambling to keep up.  Less than a decade ago, music retailers like Sam Goody and Tower Records were places musicians could promote their new music.  With all of that online now, local musicians are getting a boost from a Hawai‘i based Youtube channel.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa reports the HiSessions channel attracts over a million views a month.

  Women are big in Hawai‘i’s vibrant food scene and an invitation only group of female chefs and culinary professionals is planning a sumptuous fundraiser:   French champagne with delectables from Julia Child’s arsenal of recipes.  Les Dames d’Escoffier trace their lineage to France’s king of chefs in the early 20th century and seek to support women in the food industry.    HPR’s Noe Tanigawa reports on the tasty way they plan to do that.

Pokemon Go has taken Hawai‘i and much of the rest of the world by storm, now with more users than the Twitter app.  Last night businesses reported their biggest nights ever at the KS sponsored Pokemon night in Our Kakaako.  Just minutes ago, a happy dad reported on the Pokemon Hawai'i Facebook page, "Me and my two son's finally got these guys. We had to grind it out to them lol. It was a blast making memories with them and traveling around the island looking for pokemon haha. And a big thank you!!! To the pokemon go hawaii group with all the tips and spots to catch pokemon. red,blue,yellow you guys are awesome. Thanks again."  A lotta people are enjoying this!

Two weeks after launch, tech site BGR claimed a tenth of American consumers were playing Pokemon go daily for over an hour.  Serious players wonder if recent updates are attempts to weed out dilettante players and open server space for players who will go deep and shell out for extras.  The joke is Pokemon Go did more for daily fitness than Michelle Obama could do in two years.  Learning the metric system is another bonus.

   Award winning poet Naomi Shihab Nye grew up in Palestine, Jerusalem, and San Antonio.  She has traveled the world leading writing workshops and inspiring readers and writers of all ages.  Rooted in her experience as a Palestinian American, Nye addresses international politics, immigration, identity, and other issues with a poet’s particular ability to connect.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa interviewed her at Shangri-La, where Nye is currently Artist in Residence.

  Ever wonder what the summer’s been like on Lāna‘i? The weather’s been a little warmer than usual, but otherwise, the Pine Lads finished their softball season as league champs, the Four Seasons Resort Lāna‘i at Mānele is nearly done, and the opening for Kō‘ele Lodge has been pushed back to next year.  Folks on Lana'i would like it if you'd head over and see how things are going for yourself.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa checked in on preparations for Fifth Friday celebrations, which include a Pokemon Go! Tournament.

  Kuana Torres Kahele was born in Hilo, and raised by his grandmother;  close to nature, with music, hula, and Hawaiian language in his everyday life.  As part of Na Palapalai, and now in his solo career, Kahele invigorates Hawai‘i’s music scene with energy, tight harmonies, and new compositions.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa takes a look at his latest project, original songs and chants for each Hawaiian island.

Successful artists today must Tweet incessantly, they do Instagram and Pinterest, they collaborate and interact with their audiences all day long.  Other artists, like those of the past, work alone for long periods, on art which often is not seen beyond their studio walls.  

   A new show at the ARTS at Marks’ Garage showcases the joy and community spirit of the Friendly Isle.  Recently, five professional off-island artists banded together with three artists and sixteen teens from Moloka‘i for a visual exploration of legends and values cherished there.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa reports what happened was an unforgettable deepening of commitment to the island.

  In our quick survey of summer theater this year, two musicals are opening in Honolulu.  Lysistrata Jones at Mānoa Valley Theatre updates an ancient battle between the sexes, and Mamma Mia orchestrates wedding complications to an Abba soundtrack.   HPR’s Noe Tanigawa reports.

  Summer theater in Honolulu means the Hawai‘i Shakespeare Festival, at least it has for the past fifteen years.  This year the festival is presenting daring twists on the original material and a related play from the 1600’s.  Performances are free in honor of the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s passing.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa prepares us as the series launches.

Summer is a time when rigid schedules loosen up, making room for new experiences.  Honolulu’s theater community has some tempting offerings for all ages, comedies, musicals and life enriching dramas.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa visited two of Honolulu’s smallest venues for this report.

  Kumu Kahua Theatre’s mission, since its founding in 1971, is to help develop theater by, for, and about Hawai‘i’s people.  In 2010, this unique local organization nearly closed for lack of funding, but in the years since, it has sprung back with wider outreach and more business partners.  In the past four and a half years, managing director Donna Blanchard has managed to expand Kumu Kahua's marketing budget while putting in a much needed new floor and beginning other repairs.

 Hawai‘i is a paradise for photographers and the range and quality of photographs available here is very high.  Now there’s a perhaps unexpected genre joining the offerings on Maui: limited edition, signed prints of famous musicians. HPR’s Noe Tanigawa reports the quality of the images sets them apart. 

  Quinn Kelsey left Hawai‘i thirteen years ago to tackle a winding and often treacherous road to success in the rarified world of international opera.  Last year, the New York Times called Kelsey a “superb young baritone” in the run up to his astonishing Beverly Sills Award commendation from the Metropolitan Opera.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa reports, he’s home to share the fruits of his progression.

  Hawai‘i’s culinary moment with Pacific Rim Cuisine may have peaked, and it’s fair to ask what impact it leaves for everyday diners.  Traditional local foods like chop steak and stew have made way for chicken katsu and poke bowls, but are we actually eating any better?  And who is doing the cooking?  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa reports.

Talking with Frank Gonzales and Chef Grant Sato was so informative, it really made me feel my position in the local food chain.   You'll find inspiration to cook and to eat better in this extended version.

   Summertime puts a different focus on food, with holidays, picnics, and family gatherings.  In time for all-American July 4th parties, the James Beard Foundation has a new book of recipes from favorite local restaurants across the U.S.  While it’s fun to acknowledge regional tastes, HPR’s Noe Tanigawa discovered, Hawai’i’s “local food” may be ripe for redefinition.

  All the construction under way now recalls another period of intense development in Hawai‘i, from 1965-75.  During that go-go decade, tourism was booming, the Vietnam War contributed to military expenditures in Hawai‘i and real estate development went into high gear.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa reports on a photographer who documented the period from a less privileged point of view.

Reflections about the impact of crystal methamphetamine on life in Hawai‘i are starting to appear in local theatre and literature.  Earlier this year, Kumu Kahua offered a gritty portrait of meth culture on the North Shore, and the play, Not One Batu ignited a wave of response.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa invited three women, all former meth users, to share their experiences.

Expectations have been high for the new novel from award winning local writer Donald Carreira Ching.  Born and raised in Kahalu‘u, Ching has won attention in literary circles for stories about family.  As HPR’s Noe Tanigawa reports, his debut novel examines the many challenges families face just trying to stay together.