"Canstruction," a combination food-drive/architecture/construction contest, will be held today at the Pearlridge Center.
The contest requires teams to build structures out of cans of food. Last year’s contest featured a 10-foot high sculpture of books and an apple for the teacher, a rocket ship, a McDonald’s Happy Meal and an Oscar the Grouch-like creature who urged kids to recycle. Each sculpture was made of thousands of canned food items, which were later donated to Hawaii Foodbank. In five years, the event has sent 180,000 pounds of canned food to the Hawaii Foodbank.
The theme for this year’s contest is "Canned Cinema — Dinner and Movie." Entries are judged on structural ingenuity, use of colorful cans and what would make the best meal. The sculptures will remain on display for two weeks.
The contest begins at 9 a.m. in the Uptown Center Court of Pearlridge Center. Although construction and design of the large sculptures is for adults, children are invited to build a small sculpture, with adult supervision, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Children are asked to donate five cans or $5 to participate.
On Oct. 1, the Boy Scouts will be collecting food from noon to 3 p.m. to gain their Scouting for Food patch.
History of hula on film at palace fest
The Daughters of Hawaii invite you to spend the "Day at Queen Emma Summer Palace" from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 1.
Besides live entertainment by The Royal Hawaiian Band, Jerry Santos, the Punahou Glee Club and performances by various hula halau, you might also catch a glimpse of Queen Emma and King Kamehameha IV (as portrayed by Leah Caldeira and Marques Marzan) strolling the grounds.
Master lei maker Amelia Bailey and the palace haku lei makers will have their creations available for purchase, along with jams, jellies, chutney and baked goods, books and handcrafted items by local vendors and artists.
Lomilomi, traditional Hawaiian arts and crafts demonstrations and keiki activities also will be featured.
Tickets will be available for the chance to win a one-of-a-kind, king-size Hawaiian quilt in sea-foam green on white "ulu."
Queen Emma Summer Palace is at 2913 Pali Highway. Free parking is available adjacent to the palace in Nuuanu Park (turn on Pu‘iwa Road). Admission is $6 for adults and $1 for children; children under 6 are free. The admission fee includes entrance to the palace. All proceeds from the annual fundraiser go toward the restoration and preservation of Queen Emma Summer Palace and Hulihe‘e Palace on the Big Island.
Call 595-6291 or visit www.daughtersofhawaii.org.
Windward Hoolaulea to feature live music, games
The Windward Hoolaulea on Oct. 1 showcases hula and Hawaiian culture in a daylong celebration expected to draw more than 15,000 people to Windward Community College.
Besides performances by Windward hula halau, keiki activities and live entertainment by Kapena, Maunalua and other bands, the hoolaulea will offer a hula film fest.
View free screenings of director Lisette Flanary’s documentaries, "America Aloha: Hula Beyond Hawaii" and "Na Kamalei: The Men of Hula," which tells the story of Robert Cazimero’s all-male halau. Flanary, who is on the faculty at the University of Hawaii’s Academy of Creative Media, will talk about her films.
Ishmael Stagner, author of "Kumu Hula: Roots and Branches," also will be on hand to autograph his recently published book.
The hoolaulea takes place from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Windward Community College (45-720 Keaahala Road) in Kaneohe. Proceeds from the hoolaulea help fund scholarships and programs for students at the college. Visit windward.hawaii.edu/hoolaulea for details.
Children’s Discovery Center plans frightful fun
The Children’s Discovery Center is gearing up for Halloween festivities. A Trunk or Treat event will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 29, fronting the center’s entrance. Members from the Aloha Mustang and Shelby Club of Hawaii will pop their trunks and distribute treats to all center visitors.
The center’s annual Keiki Costume Ball featuring games, crafts, a pizza dinner and trick or treating is scheduled from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30. Lani Moo and Curious George will be on site to pose for pictures with kids.
Registration forms may be downloaded at www.discoverycenter hawaii.org. The deadline to register is Oct. 14, though the event usually sells out prior to that date. Cost is $16; $10 for members, which includes pizza, juice, ice cream and a carousel ride.
Call 524-5437 for more information on either event.
