Native artists at the Bishop Museum

The enjoyment for today consisted of going to the Bishop Museum to show my oil paintings alongside other Native Hawaiian artists at the art mart that is part of the MAMo (Maoli Arts Month) Festival in Hawaii. It happens every May.

The Museum booked DH, who is a volunteer docent, to guide a group from a philosopher’s conference on a 1-1/2 hour tour of Hawaiian Hall, making it doubly worthwhile for the two of us.

Ten minutes before show time, we arrived to find our spot next to my artist friend Momi Greene who came from Hawaii island with her decorated ipu (native gourd containers).

Me and my friend Momi Greene. Momi grows a native Hawaiian gourd and decorates them with carving and natural dyes she makes herself in the style that was done traditionally on the island of Niihau.

Years of art fence and craft fair experience paid off as we arrived ten minutes before show time, i.e. late. I saw some dark clouds as we drove over the mountain, and yes, we set up in the rain.

The paintings were fine; oil doesn’t like water. I just shake and blot them dry. DH staked the easels into the ground, and I attached extra ties, a good thing because gusty trade winds blew down from the valley throughout the day.

My brother-in-law Jon, in town from Oregon, came by to meet Momi in person because until today they had only been Facebook friends.

DH and Jon with the Bishop Museum's main building in the background

I loved the continuous live Hawaiian entertainment all day long.

Hula dancers wear long yellow plumeria lei

DH and I made some purchases:

I bought—with cash from trading my no-longer-wanted gold and silver items—some things from other artists, including a nifty re-designed T-shirt. I always try to buy from other artists where I am selling. The designer, using scissors, cuts away parts of the original garment, slits holes in the knit, weaves in contrasting colors or ties the fabric in creative ways to make a one-of-a-kind top that is truly styling and all the rage at the Native Hawaiian art mart. I plan to post a photo of me modeling it soon!

Yesterday in a gust of wind one of Momi’s ipu broke. It looked like it could be glued, but she said she’ll stitch it back together, making the stitching part of the design and giving the ipu new life and a story. When I relayed that to DH, he immediately told Momi of our plans to take a trip to her island and that he wanted to buy the ipu after she stitched it. That piece would be really special and would she kapu (reserve) it for him, we’d pick it up next month.

She said, “Okay, do you want to see it first?” DH can be impulsive at times, but he’s a good buyer and appreciates fine Native Hawaiian-made artwork.

What I realized and appreciated the most at the end of the day was how much the art by Native Hawaiians has improved, including the marketing of it. If you are in Honolulu next May, please plan on attending some of the activities of Maoli Arts Month.

Copyright 2011 Rebekah Luke

Punahou Carnival 2011

This Friday and Saturday, Feb. 4 and 5. All the fun is bounded by Punahou Street and Wilder Avenue in Honolulu, from 11 a.m to 11 p.m., and I’ll be there. If you’re visiting, this is a great travel tip!

The big tent and the thrill rides are up, and they’re getting ready for the Punahou Carnival again. I’m here to plug my alma mater, with notes on my contribution and my favorites. It’s a humongous fundraiser put on by the junior class to raise scholarships. First-timers wonder how they do it. I’ll tell you how.

The school ropes in all the parents of the junior class and alumni to donate their time, labor, talent, and supply goods so that everything spent at the Carnival is profit for students.

The Carnival is such a bonding experience, you remember it for life and return every year to support it. There’s fun for all ages.

Banyan in the Park, an original oil on canvas by yours truly, for purchase at the Punahou Carnival Art Gallery. 16" x 20".

My contribution

For the past several years I’ve placed my paintings in the Art Gallery—50% of sales goes to the school, and put my time in at the Hawaiian Plate “booth.” I’m part of the entertainment with the Punahou Alumni Glee Club (1 p.m. Saturday) and also help serve up the meal (5 to 8 p.m. Saturday).

Last year my graduating class was the second oldest still working the Carnival. We report to Dole Cafeteria and don aprons and hats to plate the meal of Hawaiian food. For anyone not of school age who isn’t interested in the midway carnival rides, it’s a nice place to relax because there is air-conditioning, there is continuous live music, and there are real bathrooms.

Here’s a recording of the Punahou Alumni Glee Club. Click on any part of the sound wave.

Here’s a recent video of Sunway and her band. She sings on Friday night. Plan to be there at 8.

We used to prep and cook the food, and in years before that we worked the famous malasadas booth with Mr. Bowers until we were banned for making non-regulation sizes and shapes . And frankly, I don’t remember what we did prior.

My favorites

Usually I carpool with DH and his daughter, also an alumna. We each arm ourselves with an empty shopping bag and an umbrella. We go to a secret parking place if the lots on campus are full. Tip: take the bus if you can or prepare to park and walk from neighboring streets.

These are some of our favorites:

• Silent auction—Items vary from year to year, and sometimes we’re lucky. We scope this out first.
• Art gallery—Always like to see what other island artists are doing; it just makes me want to paint more, though. A great collection.
• Plant booth—I’ve donated bromeliads and small avocado trees. For my garden I’ve bought herbs, red and pink ginger, native Hawaiian species, water plants, and turf grass. They will hold your purchase for you to retrieve later, if you wish.
• Malasadas—Of course, with a hot cup of coffee at night.
• Jams and jellies—E.g., red pepper jelly and mango chutney. I think it sells out in the first hour on Friday
• Books—At the end you can fill up a bag and get it all for something really cheap.
• White elephant—Quick survey. You never know what you might find.
• Food—Whatever your heart’s desire, a separate booth for each. Gyros, corn on the cob, fruit smoothies, fried noodles, pizza, teriburgers, veggie stuff, Hawaiian food, chicken, Portuguese bean soup, ice cream, saimin and meat sticks … oh la la.
• Produce—A crew goes to the Big Island to pick. I do my next week’s fruit and veggie shopping here.
• Games—The kiddie games are a world apart. It’s fun to watch the little ones. I think it’s time to take Miss Marvelous there. There are games for older students and teens too. My Facebook friend Yo and her husband are parent chairs of the prizes this year.
• Will call—You can check your loot here until time to go home.

So c’mon to the Punahou Carnival, alumni or not. Spend your money. It’s for a good cause!

Copyright 2011 Rebekah Luke

The gift of time

My expansive morning — “expansiveness” is my word for 2011 — brought some surprises to what otherwise would have been ordinary. It started early when I recalled a pleasant dream of a stranger in a theater who knew my name.

It has been awhile since I’ve actively recalled my dreams. When I awoke I wondered if it was my teacher Alice Anne connecting with me energetically to prepare for her time travel meditation tonight.*

Fridays are my scheduled Reiki days, but with no appointments and a promising sunny sky I went to the Pohai Nani pool for aqua exercise at 8.

In 2006 (!) I bought a punch card of x number of classes that I stopped using when I took a full-time job. I love the deep water exercise class with the “Aqua Jogger” buoyancy belt and the cordial, caring staff. They heat the swimming pool to 86-89 degrees. If it is cooler than that on the morning of class, the instructor phones to say class cancelled.

Last November, I was surprised to learn that the card was still honored, but only until today. A new schedule of classes and fees for seniors starts on the 24th. Between now and then I have the gift of time to choose which class to sign up for.

On the way home I stopped at the bank to cash a check, presenting my bank ID card. The teller asked to see a picture ID as well, and when I showed it she asked for yet another picture ID. Why? My driver’s license expired on the 9th, my birthday! Thank you so much for pointing that out, I said. After confirming my signature with the superviser, she accepted the check.

I doubled back to Satellite City Hall in Kaneohe to renew my license, getting my face all prettied up for my photo. I was wearing a plain black t-shirt, and my hair—I just got out of the pool! A man stood puzzled outside the front door that had a Closed sign on it. He was reading the many messages taped to the window.

Is there anything that tells why the office is closed today? I asked. “Furlough Friday,” he mumbled, pointing to a calendar. The partial solution for overcoming Honolulu’s budget shortfall is to put government workers on furlough.

The two of us scrutinized the calendar and noticed that the office will be closed on Monday too: Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Guess I’m driving without a license until the 18th, then.

I stopped at nearby Foodland to pick up a few groceries. It’s not my usual place to shop, but I didn’t want to get in and out of the car anymore. The checker asked for my own reusable bag. It’s the first time a store asked me that. Luckily, I did have a bag at the bottom of my purse.

The checker explained, starting next year no longer will Foodland be providing plastic grocery bags. Customers will need to bring their own. (The islands of Maui and Kauai have done away with plastic bags already.) Next year: 2012? Yes, she said. Good, I thought. I have a year to figure out what to do with my dog’s poop.

* Tonight I’m attending a New Year’s guided group meditation led by my teacher Alice Anne Parker. Alice Anne, a professional psychic, takes her students on a journey into the future for a look at their lives to come. In general, it’s usually “It’s going to be okay.” People of all levels of awareness have attended in the past and reported their visions. Very interesting! Perhaps I’ll see you visiting me here at Rebekah’s Studio.

Copyright 2011 Rebekah Luke

Mauna ‘Ala, burial place of the ali‘i

Miss Marvelous with her Papa entering the Kalakaua crypt

If they arrange ahead, Honolulu visitors to Mauna Ala, site of the Royal Mausoleum in Nuuanu, can have a guided tour by its curator William John Kaiheekai Maioho, the kahu of the iwi (bones) of the alii (royalty) and high chiefs—namely the Kamehamehas and the Kalakauas.

I and Miss Marvelous tagged along recently with DH and a group of volunteer docents from the Bishop Museum. Bill Maioho’s presentation—full of details and anecdotes, talk story style—included a chronology of the Hawaiian royals and others who are buried at Mauna Ala, information about the chapel building and how its use changed over the years, and a look inside the gates of the Kalakaua crypt.

Holding the key to the Kalakaua crypt

Bill Maioho descends from the Taylor family whose kuleana (responsibility and privilege) is to care for the iwi at Mauna Ala. You can find his story as an oral history article in Pacific Worlds, an excellent website with information about Polynesia. Please click on the link.

Mahalo to Uncle Bill.

Remembering Charles Reed Bishop

Me, Miss Marvelous, DH, and Bill Maioho

Copyright 2010 Rebekah Luke

Not sure how to sum up Thursday, but …

… That was fun. A nice ending to a full day! The venue for my cousin Toy’s going away party was Terry’s Place in Honolulu Chinatown where another cousin, Sunway, and her band performed last night. I stopped by the bar after my glee club rehearsal and caught a couple sets with the relatives. Really good pop music. Good eats and fine wine.

Sunway giving it her all

The day started with driving four neighborhood aunties and the baby (Miss Marvelous) from our moku (district) on the windward side of Oahu to Honolulu.

I skipped my usual morning of painting. Aunty Cornelia, Aunty Mercy, Aunty Ramona and Aunty Dot wanted to see the milestone exhibition of the three wooden images of the Hawaiian god Ku on display together at the Bishop Museum through October 4—just three more days.

One carved image resides at the Bishop Museum, one is on loan from the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, and one is on loan from the British Museum in London. Museum literature states that two hundred years ago the Ku stood on heiau (temples) on the island of Hawaii.

Bishop Museum

DH (darling husband) who volunteers as a docent was delighted to give the aunties a tour, and we both were happy to provide the rides.

I used the time they were at the museum to grab some lunch, get my hair cut by Arlene and have photos taken for a new passport. I came back in time to catch Lokomaikai’s very enjoyable moolelo (story) about the hula before heading back over the Koolau mountains.

It rained some today, and as I drove down Palm Drive at Punahou on my way to glee club practice, I saw the rainbow over Manoa Valley.

Rainbow over Manoa

Copyright 2010 Rebekah Luke

Japanese food art

For special occasions, a fine meal may be in order. One of those times was last evening to celebrate my wedding anniversary with DH (darling husband). The fine meal was the kaiseki prix fixe menu at the Japanese restaurant Miyako in The New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel at Sans Souci Beach at the foot of Diamond Head.

Sashimi. Everything on the plate in this beautiful presentation is edible.

The artistry in the presentation of all seven courses served one at a time over two hours was a treat—a reminder to incorporate good design in everything we do —as were the flavors from the food. It reminded us of TV’s Iron Chef. The difference was that we ate everything and sipped sake to softly played music while enjoying the view of Waikiki and the spectacular sunset.

Anniversary couple

Copyright 2010 Rebekah Luke

Let’s meet at the Native Hawaiian Arts Market at the Bishop Museum

Welcome Spring

Looking for a venue to show my paintings, I asked for and am granted a spot at a two-day Hawaiian native arts fair—the Native Hawaiian Arts Market & Keiki Art Festival. I can’t say how many artists are showing in this 5th annual MAMo (Maoli Arts Month) event, but anytime there is a gathering of Hawaiians expressing themselves it’s worth noticing, especially if one lives in the Islands. It’s a good thing to keep up with the host culture of where you live.

So please save the dates: May 22 and 23, Bishop Museum grounds, entrance on Bernice street between Kalihi street and Kapalama avenue in Honolulu, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Special admission (see below).

With Native fine art and craftmanship, art that is now and art that is part of our ongoing living history, one can appreciate how the indigenous, or maoli, peoples, are evolving and what we have to say about ourselves, our land, and the universe.

The artwork you see will be for sale. It is a joy to support Native Hawaiian made products in Hawaii. At the Arts Market buyers can know that the Hawaiian artists can keep all the money earned from their original creations, as opposed to giving a commission to a gallery. Several sponsors and grant makers, led by the PA‘I Foundation, make this possible.

My own paintings, the ones on the PAINTINGS link of this website and several new canvases, are in the studio in different stages toward completion, gearing up for this event. The last time I exhibited actual pieces in a public gallery was in 2007 in a group show with my hapa Chinese cousins at Gallery on the Pali in Nuuanu. So, I’m very excited to return to the art scene in Honolulu.

This week I’ll be signing, varnishing, framing, inventorying, and pricing the work while DH builds a few more display easels. DH is my main easel, and perhaps he will take a break from his Bishop Museum docent gig to join me in greeting you when you come next Saturday and Sunday.

You’ll have a fabulous time. Meet the artists and talk to them about their work. Bring $5 admission. That will get you into the Bishop Museum galleries including the new Hawaiian Hall, as well. Bring a lot more kala (money) to buy some art. Artists have to eat too. Thank you and all the organizers and supporters of Maoli Arts!

Copyright 2010 Rebekah Luke