Fermentation workshop offered Jan. 18
Fermentation expert Ryan Peters will lead “Get Cultured,” a fermented foods workshop, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 18 at the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources office in Kainaliu, across from Aloha Theatre.
The workshop will focus on the culinary side of making vegetable ferments such as sauerkraut, pickled beets and kimchi. Participants will also learn about the health benefits and cultural history of fermented foods.
“Get Cultured” is sponsored in partnership by the Hawaii Community College Office of Continuing Education and Training and University of Hawaii at Manoa Cooperative Extension Service. Call OCET at 934-2700 to register. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis and costs $49. Participants are to bring 2 to 4 pounds of head or Chinese cabbage, two 2-quart jars to take home what they make, cutting board, mixing bowl and knife. All spices, seasonings and other vegetables will be provided.
Luahine festival slated Jan. 24, 25
The 12th annual Iolani Luahine Hula Festival will be held Jan. 24 and 25 at the Sheraton Kona Resort &Spa at Keauhou Bay. The festival was established in 2003 with a vision to perpetuate hula, and it also serves as a way to honor the memory of Iolani Luahine and her contributions to the preservation of hula and Hawaiian culture.
Luahine was a famed hula dancer who preserved the ancient dance traditions. Her superb talents and personal commitment kept the ancient dance art from being lost.
This year, the festival will again include hula workshops and presentations, and an educational challenge to kumu hula with a prize for the one who best demonstrates the values of Luahine: education and Hawaiian culture. Jan. 24 will feature a Niihau shell earrings and bracelet workshop with kumu Kele Kanahele in the morning and in the afternoon he will teach a hula about the shells of Niihau. Advance registration for the bracelet and earrings workshop is required and the deadline is Friday. Jan. 25 will feature a morning hula workshop by Loea Kawaikapuokalani Hewett teaching E ike i ka nani o Hopoe. Kumu Rolinda Bean will teach the same song at an ukulele workshop at the same time and at the conclusion of the workshops, the two groups will combine for practice for a performance later in the day. Registration fees and information for the workshops are available at iolaniluahinefestival.org. Hula presentations will begin at 4 p.m. Jan. 24 and feature makuahine, makuakane and kupuna hula presentations. Jan. 25 at 1 p.m. will feature keiki, wahine and kane presentations. The hula presentations are free community events.
Evening musical entertainment both days will be open for everyone to enjoy — tickets will be available at the door for a $10 donation, which helps support the festival. Diana Aki, along with the Ladies of Waikui and KonaBob will take the stage the night of Jan. 24. Several of Maui’s treasures — Leiohu Ryder and Maydeen Iao along with Ahumanu will be featured Jan. 25.
Park invites public to stewardship programs
The public is invited to help protect Hawaii’s fragile ecosystem from invasive, nonnative species by volunteering for “Stewardship at the Summit” programs throughout 2014.
Stewardship at the Summit begins at 9 a.m. and ends at noon. The dates from January through March are: Saturday, Jan. 18, 20 and 24; Feb. 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28; and March 7, 14, 22 and 26.
Participants should meet project leaders Paul and Jane Field at 9 a.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center on any of the above dates. They should wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants, and bring a hat, rain gear, garden gloves, day pack, snacks and water. Tools will be provided. No advance registration is required, and there is no cost to participate, but park entrance fees apply.
There is no entrance fee Jan. 20. The park honors Martin Luther King Day by participating in the National Day of Service with a special Stewardship at the Summit program, 9 a.m. to noon.
Garden plans volunteer gardening days
Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden in Captain Cook is holding volunteer gardening days Saturday, Jan. 25 and Feb. 8. The gardening starts at 9:30 a.m. and lasts until noon. Participants will learn about native plants, hone their skills and meet fellow gardeners. Bring a lunch, gloves, hat, sunscreen, mosquito lotion and hand tools.
A guided Hawaiian plant walk begins at 1 p.m. Admission is waived for those who participate in the gardening activities. For more information, call 323-3318.
Panel on women’s status meeting in Kealakekua
The Hawaii County Committee on the Status of Women is meeting at 10 a.m. Friday at the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, Kona’s videoconference room. The office is located at 81-980 Halekii St., Suite 150, Kealakekua.
For more information, call the committee at 961-0466.