The South Kona district on the Big Island of Hawaii is known as an artist’s haven; a place where people can find the tranquility and inspiration to create. Their galleries and workspaces are nestled in among a bucolic backdrop of verdant and rambling tropical hillsides, winding roadways and rustic coffee farms. Once a year, the SOKO Artists Collective hosts the South Kona Studio Tour, during which a collection of these artists opens their doors to the public. 2019’s Fifth Annual Studio Tour will be held on Saturday, February 23rd and Sunday, February 24th from 9am-4pm. Twelve studios will be open in Keauhou, Captain Cook, and Honaunau, just a few minutes’ drive south of the Holualoa Inn. The twenty-one participating artists this year include some of South Kona’s most talented potters, painters, photographers, jewelers, printmakers, wood and metalworkers, and more. The SOKO Studio Tour is an amazing opportunity to meet these artists in the intimate setting of their own studios, to talk story and to learn about the history and inspiration behind their works. Spend an afternoon, or a weekend, exploring South Kona and the art created here. For more information and photos of some of the work that will be on display visit SOKO’s website or check out their brochure.
We are proud to announce that the Holualoa Inn’s Malulani Pavilion will once again host Holualoa Elementary School’s 5th grade class as one of the stops on their 3rd Annual Wahi Pana Day art tour of Holualoa Village. As part of the culmination of their arts curriculum at Holualoa Elementary, the 5th grade class will take part in a tour of the Village’s galleries and have the opportunity to meet and learn from local artists. Each stop includes a short talk from the artist or artists and a tour of the gallery. The class will split into small groups for the tour and later reconvene to enjoy a brown-bag lunch together at the shady and scenic Malulani Pavilion. The students love having the opportunity to talk with their friends and share their experiences from earlier in the day. Later in the week, students will have a second opportunity to meet with and learn from local artists with hands-on lessons at the Donkey Mill Arts Center, just several miles down the road from Holualoa Village. DMAC is dedicated to providing creative space and arts education for the community. As a facilitator for Holualoa Elementary’s Wahi Pana Day, DMAC last year provided students instruction in print-making, lauhala-weaving, origami, ceramics, and more. The 5th grade students will display their original works, inspired by the Gallery Tour and DMAC Experience, later in the year at Holualoa’s Art-After-Dark event. The Holualoa Inn is proud to be able to host Holualoa Elementary’s 5th grade class as part of an event meant to cultivate and inspire their artistic talents and immerse them in the arts history of Holualoa Village.