Banyan Drive Art Stroll returns after 4-year hiatus

From Suisan Fish Market to the Grand Naniloa Hotel, dozens of artists will display their works along the Waiakea peninsula in Hilo on Saturday with the revival of the fifth Banyan Drive Art Stroll.

Artists also will be demonstrating their craft for attendees throughout the day with something scheduled in several locations along Banyan Drive. The art stroll returns after a 4-year hiatus.

“It has been thrilling to see how joyful people are when they hear that the Art Stroll is returning,” said K.T. Cannon-Eger, president of Friends of Liliʻuokalani Gardens. “We took a break after the January 2020 stroll due to the [COVID-19] pandemic. Now we’re back with a smile.”

Renowned artist Patrick Ching will be the featured guest and will host an interactive experience in the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel lobby. Known for his vivid art that depicts Hawaiʻi’s natural beauty, Ching will be displaying his artwork, signing books and hosting a free keiki draw and paint session from noon to 4 p.m.

The Hilo Hawaiian Hotel also will be the main location for the featured art exhibit, with this year’s theme: “The Legacy of the Cherished Gardens,” which is “Ka Hoʻoilina o Na Mala Hoʻoheno” in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi.

The theme was chosen by Lilinoe Keliʻipo-Young, whose family were the final caretakers of Mokuola (Coconut Island), to reflect the enduring impact of Queen Lili‘uokalani’s vision and the importance of preserving Hawai‘i’s cultural and natural heritage.

“As we consider the park’s past, we carry the Queen’s legacy into the future,” Cannon-Eger said. “Artists will be representing that legacy in different ways, and it will be beautiful to see it come together.”

The judged art exhibit will be open for viewing as well as the People’s Choice voting in the Mala Ikena Room at the Hilo Hawaiian from noon to 6 p.m.

The Banyan Drive Art Stroll will begin with an opening blessing and Taiko drummers playing in front of the Banyan Gallery beginning at noon and then moving to Hilo Bay Café to play at 12:45 p.m.

Hilo Bay Café will be hosting a photography exhibit from noon to 4:30 p.m., which will include historic images and prints from four calendar contests that will be on sale as a fundraiser for Friends of Liliʻuokalani Gardens.

Next door at Suisan Fish Market, Kurt Kishimori will be demonstrating the art of gyotaku, which is when ink is applied to a fish and then pressed onto paper, from 1:15 to 2:30 p.m. The traditional Japanese method of printing fish was first used by fishermen to record their catches but is now it’s own unique art form.

Artists of Plein air (a French term for painting outdoors what they see) will be set up throughout Liliʻuokalani Gardens from noon to 3 p.m. Artists include: 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. 

“The event is such a great way for people to see the process of different artists and grow their appreciation for them,” said Jelena Clay, owner of Banyan Art Gallery. “With plein air, it’s always incredible to me that several people can look at the same thing, but see it wildly differently. Everyone has a different vision.”

Bob Douglas will demonstrate mokuhanga, a traditional Japanese woodblock printmaking technique, from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Aliʻi Ice House Paleta Palace. The art form specifically utilizes water-based ink to achieve a wide range of vivid colors, glazes and transparency.

Along with Ching and the art exhibit, the Hilo Hawaiian will host an oil painting demonstration from William Wingert from 2 to 5 p.m.

Just in front of the Hilo Hawaiian, Banyan Art Gallery will have a drawing every hour beginning at noon for door prizes and the Grand Naniloa Hotel will host a silent auction.

While art entertains the eyes, live music will fill the ears with entertainment scheduled at the Banyan Drive hotels.

Pepe Romero will emcee in the lobby lounge of the Grand Naniloa Hotel, which will feature 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. Roanne Nip will play in the Waiʻoli Lounge at the Hilo Hawaiian from 2 to 3 p.m.

This year, the Art Stroll also will be serving pupu, or appetizers, at different times and locations to those wearing a Friends of Liliʻuokalani Gardens logo pin, which will be on sale throughout the Art Stroll.

Pupu are set to be served at 1:15 p.m. at Suisan, 1:30 p.m. at Banyan Art Gallery, 2 p.m. at Hilo Bay Café, 3 p.m. at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel and 4 p.m. at the Grand Naniloa Hotel.

“Proceeds from the pins will go to Friends of Liliʻuokalani Gardens, who do so much for the park and this entire area,” Clay said.

A printed map with the schedule will be available at several locations along the stroll on Saturday.

Art is no longer being accepted, but volunteers are still needed for 2-hour shifts at some of the venues. For further information on opportunities, email folghilo@gmail.com or call 808-895-8130.