Arts & Culture

May 27. This spirited group of vounteers gave away a thousand trees last year hoping o encourage that particular Manoa essence so hard to put into words. This interview was done in one of the historic homes open to the public for their annual walking tour. The beautiful thing is that being in a space cannot be adequately described. Modest, but lovingly preserved, these women convey the fervor that historic preservation requires.

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May 26. Nola Nahulu and the Hawai’i Youth Opera Chorus . Choral music has a long history in Hawai’i and a vibrant contemporary scene as well, with church choirs, Hawaiian civic clubs, choral groups, the Hawai’i Opera Chorus and much more. Nola Nahulu has her hand in much of this. Talk to anyone who works with her, or with the youngsters under her care, this woman is remarkable—the music proves it.

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May 20. The private Club on the corner of Ward and King lets in non-members for a $5cover Wednesdays—and many make it a regular stop. Guitarist and founder of Nueva Vida, possibly Honolulu’s longest continuous jazz group, Robert Shinoda books a solid line up of locals and visiting players often jam in the large stage area. Every Wednesday, 6-9, don’t order the food, it’s dismal.

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May 19. Caponigro is coming for two in-depth workshops and a free public lecture on digital imaging. He is one of the foremost artists in the field and communicates thoughtfully, directly, and with some humor. Still, the workshops are not for novices, working knowledge of Photoshop required.

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May 17. If you’re like me, you’ll be searching your house for clothes to give next time this organization calls for donations. The long term commitment, even for one hour a week, yields such palpable rewards for both volunteers and kids.

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May 12. Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha or Enlightened One, was said to have been born in India 55 years before the birth of Christ. Interest in his philosophy and teachings has been quietly growing both in the U.S. and internationally. It is, basically founded on principals of non-violence and the recognition of the effects caused by one’s thoughts, words and actions. Here, a conversation with the organizer of this year’s Buddha’s Birthday Celebration, Albert Lui, and with a longtime Buddhist, Diana Paw U.

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May 6. If you’ve never seen the Honolulu Symphony’s concertmaster, Iggy Jang perform, you should. He’s thoughtful, exacting and dynamic—hope you’ll get an idea of that from this interview. He’s performing the Khachaturian violin concerto May 13 and 15. Sarah Chang, another dynamo, plays the Shostakovitch A minor for the season finale May 21 and 22, the last concert under Maestro Sam Wong. The Symphony’s President, Stephen Bloom, is also leaving. Musicians’ morale actually could be improving.

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May 3. Timothy Ojile, Alan Leitner and Roy Venters are comrades in arms in Hawai’i’s art community. Friends since the legendary days of Leitner’s Foundry art studios in the 70’s and 80’s in Kaka’ako, their styles are completely different. Leitner and Ojile have influenced countless artists and hobbyists through their classes. Many remember fondly Venters’ studio galleries in Waikiki and now on Nu’uanu Avenue, open every First Friday, and now offering one night walls-to-rent for other artists’ work. Venters’ gallery open by appointment: 381-3445. Ojile also opens his studio by appointment, 941-8907. Leitner’s work is available through Fine Art Associates and Cedar Street Galleries.

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