Thursday, August 09, 2012

Waimea Valley Re-Dedication and Pulama 'O Waimea this Saturday 9am-5pm



Dear Members,

Here is an update regarding Chamber member Waimea Valley and information on the special event this Saturday:

Aloha Friends,

The Waimea Valley "Ohana would like to share our excitement, about our current progress and future plans, with our North Shore friends and neighbors. We recently completed a planning process that resulted in clearly defining a culturally appropriate and financially sustainable path forward for the Valley. The plan is based on a number of important premises to including the need for a stronger connection with the community, the cultural sites and the botanical gardens are the heart and soul of the Valley.

To accomplish our critical goal of financial sustainability over the next five years, we will focus on increasing the number of visitors to the Valley, by improving and expanding cultural and botanical programs and obtaining recognition as a world class cultural and botanical site. You will begin to see many positive changes in the Valley that have a much stronger emphasis on cultural programs and activities. We now have a full time cultural greeter at the Visitor Center to welcome, direct and assist our guests.

We're currently creating a cultural and botanical orientation for visitors entering the Valley. Additional cultural programs staff will be hired and we will develop a docent program for both botanical and cultural tours to help ensure we provide the best visitor experience possible. We are in the process of renovating our Visitor Center and will make a number of changes that will better display the historical, cultural and botanical items and aspects of the Valley.

Several other facilities will be renovated to provide venues for special events and activities. This will include reviving our annual hula kahiko competition and establishing a summer concert series. Kama'aina and Military "Mahalo Days? (half price admission) are the third Sunday of every month to tie in with Kanikapila Sunday. We plan to increase the number of cultural practitioners and artisans in the Valley to offer our visitors a more significant cultural learning opportunity. Our additional dining experience will feature The Proud Peacock restaurant, which will be renovated and reopened in the future. We are currently in the process of localizing our Na Mea "Ono menu and our gift shop items. As much as possible we want to promote North Shore gift and food items.

Waimea Valley is a treasure for all to enjoy and we hope you will reconnect with the Valley. We need your support and help to make it a success. Come and volunteer, or join our docent program. If you are a cultural practitioner or artisan, contact our Cultural Programs Department to arrange a time you can be in the Valley. Or, just come to experience the Valley's rich history, deep Hawaiian culture and beautiful botanical gardens.

Finally, the Waimea Valley "Ohana would like to invite our North Shore friends and neighbors to the Valley on August 11th, to join us for Pulama O Waimea, one of our annual cultural celebrations, featuring activities and displays. This event also takes place on the same day as our 6th Annual Kalo Workshop. There will be artisans and cultural practitioners sharing their knowledge and skills throughout the Valley. As a special feature for the keiki that day, there will be a presentation of "The Sleeping Giant of Waimea" puppet show at 3:30pm.

As your North Shore neighbor, Waimea Valley welcomes you back with a special Kama'aina and Military admission of $10.00 for families and $5.00 for individuals for this day. For more information please call: (808) 638-7766 or visit our website at www.waimeavalley.net.

Mahalo,

Richard Pezzulo, Executive Director

Mahalo,

Antya

Wednesday, August 08, 2012

Waimea Valley welcomes Hale‘iwa Farmers' Market

Hawaii’s Favorite Farmers’ Market is happy to announce their Grand Re-Opening in Waimea Valley. Join in the festivities Thursday, August 9th, 3:00-7:00 pm in Waimea Valley. The Pikake Pavillion and main lawn are the new home of Hale‘iwa Farmers’ Market.

With 50 booths offering fresh fruits and vegetables, honey, nuts, grass-fed beef, pastured-raised eggs, fish, coffee, plants and orchids, fabulous food to eat or take home, and works by local artisans, everyone will delight in the all-local offerings. Enjoy live music by Lopaka Brown, Owana Salazar and Alika Kalauli III. Keiki can play with Rex and Surf Dog as they make free arts and crafts. Waimea Valley will host a bar, to pair with the delicious offering of our food vendors.

Opening Day Pule will be at 3:00pm in the Pikake Pavillion by Waimea Kupuna. Come join the festivities with the North Shore Community.

When: every Thursday, beginning August 9th from 3-7pm
Where: Pikake Pavillion, Waimea Valley, Hale‘iwa
Who: The Fabulous Vendors of Hale‘iwa Farmers' Market
Why: To celebrate locally grown food, community, art, and music
Contact: Pamela Boyar   808-388-9696
              Annie Suite       haleiwafarmersmarket@gmail.com

What’s for dinner? Fresh-baked Mushroom and Melted Cheese Croissants from Baker Dudes, Happy’s famous Endless Summer Rolls, Hawaiian Cheesecakes with local flavors, Fresh-made Pasta & Sauces from Onda Pasta, Hawaiian Style Off Da Hook Poke, Sweet or savory WowWow Waffles, Grilled Pesto Pizza from Big Wave Flavors, Farm-fresh healthy wraps from Aunty’s Lil Green Hut, Tahitian-style ceviche from Waialua Sweets, Madre’s amazing Bean-to-Bar Chocolate, Sugarcane juice, and a special treat from KavaJava Bar! Come hungry.