PARKER RANCH STORE ANNOUNCES SERIES OF PRODUCT DEMOS

Meet the Talent Behind Favored Island Products

For several upcoming Fridays and/or Saturdays, the Parker Ranch Store will host unique island craft and/or product demonstrations. The demonstrations, free to the public, will be from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. and will allow attendees to see, touch, feel, smell or taste a variety of works ranging from honey to herbal soaps and photos to Hawaiian-designed tees.

PARKER RANCH HISTORIC HOMES HOSTING SPECIAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVITIES

Waimea, Big Island of Hawaii — Parker Ranch’s Historic Homes in Waimea have worked with Annu Shionoya of the East West Fine Arts Gallery to put together special demonstrations and exhibits to celebrate the 2010 Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival on Saturday, February 6, 2010.

At the historic Puuopelu home between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. traditional Japanese tea ceremonies will be observed by Emi Wakayama. Tea Ceremony, also known as Chanoyu or Sado, is a ritual way of preparing and drinking tea. Strongly influenced by Zen Buddhism, every hand movement is choreographed and requires long hours, even years, of training. To Japanese, the Tea Ceremony elevates drinking tea to a spiritual discipline. Shrouded in symbolism, Tea Ceremonies have been around since the sixteenth century. They are a way of communicating, consensus building, and teaching discipline. It is fascinating to observe and visitors will enjoy learning more about this centuries-old tradition.

In addition, guests will enjoy a performance by the Sakura (Cherry Blossom) Quartet. Music from India, Japan, China, France and Germany will be presented on Shakuhachi and gold flutes, harp, harmonium, piano and voice. The group consists of Gene Tamashiro, Jean Pierre Thoma, Mahesh & Brihan Roberto, and Annu Shionoya. The repertoire will consist of music by Miyagi, Debussy, Faure, and traditional Indian and Chinese melodies. Dancer Shizono Nasu will perform a Mai dance.

Oriental arts by Masanori Katsuyama (wood block prints) from Kyoto Japan and a local artist, Susumu Sakaguchi (acrylic original and giclee prints) from Volcano will be on display at the Historic Homes Puuopelu Gallery as a tribute to sharing cross-cultural traditions of the Cherry Blossom Festival. Traditional kimonos will be on display and available for purchase. Please stop by to see the Cherry Blossom quilt and other Waimea made quilts.

Food will be available through Crivellas who will be serving portugese bean soup and malasadas.

There will be events and festivities throughout Waimea during Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival 2010. The celebration of the first cherry blossoms of the spring dates back to 7th century Japan. Aristocrats of the day would enjoy the blossoms while writing poetry beneath the flowering branches. Today “hanami” (literally hana, flower and mi, look) is the single word in the Japanese language that means “Cherry Blossom viewing party.”

Celebrate the day with Parker Ranch, and the Waimea Community. Events are free and there will be complimentary shuttle service to all festivities.

The historic homes and tours of Mana Hale and Puuopelu, along with their gardens are open to the public on Cherry Blossom day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission will be complimentary on February 6, 2010.

Parker Ranch surrounds the town of Waimea and spreads between the Kohala Mountains and Mauna Kea. The Parker Ranch Visitor Center is approximately 37 miles by car from Kona International Airport and approximately 57 miles by car from Hilo Airport. For more information call 808-885-7311 or check out the Parker Ranch website, www.parkerranch.com.

Parker Ranch Meets the Press

2009

Honolulu Star Bulletin

2008

Honolulu Star Bulletin
Los Angeles Times
About.com
Pacific Business News
AAA Westways
The Fence Post

Publications

Honolulu Advertiser
North Hawaii News
Aloha Street Magazine
Travel Age West Magazine
Wyoming Tribune Eagle
Travel Agent Magazine
Texas Monthly
Delta Sky

Film

Latin Eyes TV
KHNL8
KGMB9
Food Network (Have Fork Will Travel)
Paradise TV
SmartEnergy PodCast