Arts & Culture

On this Aloha Friday Conversation, we’re all about flowers and growing things. Tomorrow is May Day, Lei Day in Hawai‘i, which has traditionally meant making lei, giving lei, wearing a lei and the May Day Court with all their floral regalia---the only time local kids did poi balls, tinikling and haka was in May Day performances.

This Saturday is May 1, officially, a day to celebrate garlands of flowers in Hawai'i. Lei day was established in 1929, and each major island has its own significant lei. O'ahu, for example, has the regal 'ilima, for Kaho'olawe, it's the grey green hinahina. Lei, in Hawai'i, are much more than adornment.

Every day, there's a wealth of information floating lazily above the horizon. Clouds are almost diagrams of weather patterns, depicting how heat and humidity affect the minuscule droplets of water they are made of. On this Earth Day 2021, we take a look at what the clouds are telling us as they drift above these Hawaiian islands.

At the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Art 101 is the foundational art appreciation class that even non-majors often take. The course used to be held in the cool, dark Varsity Theatre where one hundred students at a time could witness the treasures of the world glowing on the big screen.

As Hawai'i establishes a new normal, how different will it be, from what we had before? Hawai'i could be very different, and a series of community talk story sessions are underway to explore alternatives.

Kekaulike Mall, on the 'Ewa end of Chinatown, bustles with activity from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. Fruit and vegetable vendors line the mall outside and shoppers duck into storefronts for fish, meat, sauces, and other supplies.

UH Manoa professor on race and ethnicity in Hawai‘i; Comedian Frank De Lima talks ethnic humor; Anti-Asian hate rally organizers from Hawai‘i

This week, a Filipino woman in a high-rent midtown section of Manhattan was kicked to the ground and stomped while her attacker yelled, “You don’t belong here.” Asians in Hawai'i have felt relatively safe, but some people are questioning Hawai’i’s reputation as a melting pot. Some say discrimination may just look a little different here.

While officials wrestle over how to classify possible hate crimes, the number of documented incidents against Asians in America continues to rise. In Hawai'i, the environment for Asians is different because of demographics. Still, the organizers of Saturday's rally "Stop Asian Hate" in Honolulu said we have a lot to learn.

Honolulu's newest bookstore could be the first of its kind in Honolulu. Bas (pronounced base) Bookshop on Nu'uanu Avenue is dedicated to art, architecture, fashion and design. Its newest exhibition showcases unique typefaces and fonts.

In his first state of the city speech, Mayor Rick Blangiardi highlighted Chinatown as a hidden gem that his administration is determined to improve. Right now, negotiations are underway to relocate a food distribution operation that is often cited as a source of undesirable foot traffic. The Caldwell administration announced last year that River of Life Mission would be moving, but the deal is not quite done.

In Honolulu, after five years of scaffoldings and construction, you may be noticing changes on the mauka side of Thomas Square. It's the city's first park and it has unique historical significance.

Anti-Asian bias locally and nationally; Police Chief Todd Raybuck and racism on Kaua‘i; Visiting community bookstores across Hawai‘i

The killing of six women of Asian descent in Atlanta this week is adding fuel to claims of anti-Asian hate alleged to be spreading across the U.S. A congressional hearing on anti-Asian hate crimes and discrimination took place Thursday in Washington to address the hostile environment for people of Asian descent.

Measures to rename Hawaii's oldest public high school from McKinley to Honolulu High School have been introduced at the Hawaii State Legislature.

Anti-Asian violence on the rise; Bishop Museum exhibit explores scientific racism; Finding Ohana's young star; Printmaker Steven Kean; Just Futures conference; Hawaii school counselor of the year

The City's stewardship of Chinatown

Mayor Rick Blangiardi pulled Anton Krucky, co-founder of Tissue Genesis, out of retirement in order serve as the Executive Director of the Office of Housing. In his new role, Krucky is looking at how the City can be a better steward of Chinatown. He's attended a Downtown Chinatown Neighborhood Board meeting and has spoken with residents, business owners, and City department heads about how best to move forward.

Downtown Honolulu is not the same place it was a year ago. Bishop Street bustling with professionals and office workers and daylong traffic on Fort Street Mall are a thing of the past for now. Still, signs of a new future downtown are emerging.

Demand increases at Hawaii Food Basket; Shangri La expands its online resources; Recommendations for the upcoming Art Summit; Illnomadic talks influences, collaborations; A guide to grocery shopping in Chinatown
 

Demand increases at Hawaii Food Basket

On Oahu, the museum that looks like a palace on Diamond Head, is looking forward to the day people are able to enjoy the city more freely. Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture and Design is preparing to offer different ways to visit the famous grounds

An international discussion is adding momentum to the arts in Hawai’i. The popular Honolulu Biennial Foundation has become Hawai’i Contemporary, and they are sponsoring an Art Summit to plant ideas for the next exhibition. 

Institute for Human Services on addressing Oahu's homelessness; ALEA Bridge partners with YMCA to house homeless at Camp Erdman; Houseless man awaits new year, new beginning; Update on the Kauai art scene; Spiritual guidance during the COVID crisis; Christmas music from local artists

Furlough Reaction; Ampaire Hybrid Electric Planes; Reality Check: Concerning Progress Reports for Hawaii's Students; Electoral College Process; Art Scene Debrief

Furlough Reaction

Date nights are not the same these days, and a full summer with no blockbuster movies or theaters to cool off in was a big change for Hawai'i. Movie theaters here are allowed to be open now, but COVID-19 restrictions across the industry are having an impact. Movie theaters and film festivals are having to pivot, as the big studios contemplate what to do with their blockbusters.

Views on a changing visitor industry and Iolani Palace update; Community view from Lanai; Using state lands for the homeless in Waimanalo; Displaced from Crane Park; Hui Aloha helping the homeless; Perpetuating Hawaiian music

Funding relief for Honolulu arts and culture; Hawaii Craftsmen debut Downtown Arts Center; Honolulu Museum of Art reopens; Book and music festival tackles big issues; Addressing Hawaii's housing issues; Interview with Na Hoku Song of the Year producer

The Covid-19 pandemic may have had something to do with the City’s decision to go ahead with the new Downtown Art Center, now set to go in above the Chinatown Satellite City Hall. New owners are in at Pegge Hopper's former site, too, but no one expects it to be easy.

COVID-19 infections at O'ahu's homeless shelters are putting more pressure on Honolulu's street population. HPD enforcements continue as options for safe shelter are decreasing. Encampments in Waimanalo and Waianae are being allowed to remain, while mobile testing on the street gets increased attention.

City and service providers fight over homeless sweeps; Joyful noise from youth chorus; COVID's effect on choral societies; Healing stones in Waikiki; Celebrating coconuts