People’s Choice Awards announced from Banyan Drive Art Stroll featured art exhibit

Attendees voted for their favorite art pieces in the featured art exhibit Jan. 11 during the fifth Banyan Drive Art Stroll.

The art followed this year’s theme of “The Legacy of the Cherished Gardens,” which is “Ka Hoʻoilina o Na Mala Hoʻoheno” in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi.

Watercolorist Ron Louie took first place in the People’s Choice Award contest with his misty view of a torii, a traditional Japanese gate, titled “Grand Entrance.”

Louie will receive a gift certificate from Hilo Hawaiian Hotel.

Second place in the People’s Choice vote went to Kealoha Pa for “Uhu Paradise.” Pa will receive a gift certificate for WSW at Hilo Hawaiian.

Third place was awarded to the late Bill Eger for a photograph of the Hiroshima lantern under a large monkeypod tree at the east torii titled “Legacy Monkeypod.” The award is a gift certificate from Cunningham Gallery.

Fourth place was a tie: Greg Henkel’s “Ulua” and Jared Goodwin’s photograph “Bridge of Nostalgia.” Henkel won a gift certificate from Banyan Gallery and Goodwin received a gift certificate from Ben Franklin Crafts.

An estimated crowd of 1,000 participated in activities Saturday afternoon around Hilo’s Waiākea Peninsula. Exhibits, demonstrations, entertainment, food, keiki classes and a silent auction were among the attractions.

The Banyan Drive Art Stroll is hosted the second Saturday of January.

The event is co-sponsored by Friends of Liliʻuokalani Gardens and Banyan Gallery with support from the Hawaiʻi County Department of Parks and Recreation, Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, Grand Naniloa Hilton Doubletree, Suisan Fish Market, Aliʻi Ice, Hilo Bay Café, Ben Franklin Crafts and a cadre of volunteers.