Celebrating the arts and the Legacy of Lili`uokalani, this event marks a return to Waiakea peninsula in locations from Suisan Fish Market to the Naniloa Hotel with events, exhibits, demonstrations, and entertainment all afternoon.
A judged art exhibit will be available for viewing and People's Choice voting in the Mala Ikena room on the lobby level of the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. From noon until 4 p.m. Patrick Ching will lead a keiki draw and paint session in the tile entryway. From 2 to 5 p.m. William Wingert will have an oil painting demonstration.
A photography exhibit will be held in Hilo Bay Café. Included are historic images as well as prints from four calendar contests which are offered for sale as a fundraiser for Friends of Lili`uokalani Gardens.
Plein air artists will be in Lili`uokalani Gardens from noon to 3 p.m. including Christine Ahia, Suzi Lacey, Bonnie Sol, Andrea Reynolds, Jack Kinkelaar, Keith Kefford, Yumi Doi, June Shibuya, Delia Brown, Ron Sumamoto, and the Hilo Plein Air Group.
Entertainment is scheduled throughout the day starting with Puna Taiko at noon near Banyan Gallery. Puna Taiko will move to an area outside Hilo Bay Café around 12:45 p.m. Roanne Nip will play in the Wai`oli Lounge at Hilo Hawaiian from 2 to 3 p.m. Pepe Romero will emcee in the lobby lounge of the Grand Naniloa Hilton Doubletree. Featured performers there are Ben Kaili and friends from noon to 2 p.m., Jennie Kaneshiro and C.J. Kama from 2 to 4 p.m. and Darryl Castillo from 4 to 6 p.m.
A printed map with the schedule will be available at several locations along the stroll. Pupu will be served to those wearing a Friends of Lili`uokalani Gardens logo pin. Pins are for sale at several Art Stroll locations.
Sponsors for the Banyan Drive Art Stroll include: Banyan Gallery, Suisan Fish Market, Hilo Bay Café, The Ali`i Ice House Paleta Palace, County of Hawai`i Parks and Recreation Department, Castle Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, Grand Naniloa Hilton Doubletree, Cunningham Gallery, Ben Franklin, and Friends of Lili`uokalani Gardens.
“Lili`uokalani Gardens are an integral part of Makaoku, the area now known as Waiakea,” said K.T. Cannon-Eger, president of Friends of Lili`uokalani Gardens. “This year the theme is ‘The Legacy of the Cherished Gardens (Ka Ho`oilina o Na Mala Ho`oheno)’ as suggested by Lilinoe Keliipio-Young.” For more information, contact Jelena Clay at Banyan Gallery or K.T. Cannon-Eger at (808) 895-8130.