Ceramic Sculptor Ken Matsuzaki: Expressions of the Heart

Join us at at Holualoa Inn as we welcome Ken Matsuzaki, world renowned Japanese ceramic sculptor. 

Directions: Holualoa Inn Malulani Pavillion

Date: Thursday, June 20, 2013

Time: 7:00-9:00pm

Admission: Complimentary Presentation, Film & Short Reception

Holualoa Inn is hosting Ken Matsuzaki of Mashiko, Japan. Ken Matsuzaki will share a film about the process of his work and answer questions about his extraordinary ceramic art and followed with a short reception of coffee, tea and sweets.

About the Artist - Ken Matsuzki

Born in Tokyo in 1950, Ken Matsuzki was influenced by his father’s art collection and became passionate about ceramics at an early age. Ken started throwing on a wheel in his high school art class. As a senior in high school, he had the opportunity to switch his science classes to art and then able to spend all day in the art room working with charcoal or pencil drawing and drafting. 

He entered the Fine Arts Ceramic Department at Tamagawa University in 1972 and decided to make a living with his hands. He would complete his assignments quickly so he could head to the wheel to see how many yunomi tea cups he could throw in an hour, normally about twenty.

Midway through college, Ken Matuzuki took control of his future and arranged to study under Master potter Tatsuzo Shimaoka. He was known as "magician of table wares", famous for his food ceramics. Matsuzuki became his assistant in 1972 and began an extensive apprenticeship. From Shimaoka-sensei, Matuzaki learned philosophy, the necessary mental attitude when making art and how to think about ceramics. 

After 15 years as an independent artist, Matsuzki decided to shift his way in creating ceramics. His inspiration was the Oribe wares of Japan’s Momoyma period (1568-1615) and he incorporated the approach and style of the warrior Furuta Oribe (1545–1615) into his ceramics. He built an anagama (wood-firing kiln) with two firing mouths. While exploring natural raw clays with strong fire-resistance and great personality, he kneaded his own personality into the clay as well. The quality of his pieces depends 60% on the choice of clay, the other 40% determined by the firing and the form.

To be a Japanese potter, one generally spends three years kneading clay and ten years training on the wheel; great emphasis is placed upon technique. Ken Matsuzaki spent twenty years throwing on the wheel, but left it to hand-build, one-by-one, the forms he had in his heart. Thirty years after becoming a professional, Ken Matuzuki has built a new type of anagama, one enabling him to express a unique form of beauty in his materials through use of flame.

As Ken Matsuzaki writes: "Even though at this point in history, science has made it possible to fire anything, science alone does not enable us to express the beauty of the natural materials. Without the reflection of the maker's heart, a work will be unable to move anyone. I believe that to make things is to express the heart."

Ken Matsuzaki Video - 


Afterwards, Ken Matsuzaki will hold an Intermediate - Advanced level three-day workshop at Donkey Mill Art Center in the Holualoa Village.

Date: June 21 - June 23, 2013

Elopements on the Big Island of Hawaii – A New Trend

Mahukae male … Elope Hawaiian Style

Elope now, have the party later! Escape to Hawaii with your fiancé, enjoy your wedding in paradise and let the honeymoon begin. 

Package your elopement along with your honeymoon and eliminate the process of sifting though endless wedding details and instead, trim your budget! There are many unique sites on the Big Island of Hawaii for just the two of you to say your vows: on the white sand beaches or black lava coves of Kikaua Point, Kukio or Puako, aboard a small yacht or outrigger canoe launching at sunset out of Keahou Bay, at a quaint island-style Chapel, or nestled in the cloud forest of coffee country as an escape to the quaint village of Holualoa, just 20 minutes by car from the Kona Airport.  

A quintessential Hawaiian setting and romantic escape, Holualoa Inn has become a popular destination for elopements on The Big Island. Even when you elope, you still need a little help with the details and our team quietly goes about that task.  The details for your wedding day are created “in house” so you are able to enjoy every moment of your vacation without the need for negotiations with caterers and vendors.

Imagine … there is no pressure to select your wedding site, no waitlist for a venue. Arrive on the island, take a short drive to Holualoa Inn, walk the vast estate and choose your favorite location for the sharing of your vows. Go barefoot on the Great Lawn with sweeping views of the Kona Coast or nestle in at the Blue Jade Garden. You can say, “I do” from our Rooftop Gazebo or on the Lanai of our Zen Buddha Garden. If you dreamed of a rustic setting, meander up to The Red Barn or down to the pink plumeria-lined pasture.

Elopement options may be simple or extensive and Holualoa Inn’s innkeepers are experienced in customizing events, using our resources and local partners off property.

End your special day at Holualoa Inn as the sun sets majestically, offering rainbow vistas of the Kona Coast.

Innkeeper Holualoa Inn

Hawaii Volcano Visit -

Hawaii Volcano Visit

photo courtesy:  HVNP

Wide open spaces, a variety of micro climates and the natural beauty is what draws amny to the Big Island of Hawaii. But, the most popular attraction on the largest island in the Hawaiian Island chain is by far the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Home of several active and dormant volcanoes, a visit to the park is a day long event of hiking, exploring, culture and science. A visit includes a scenic100 mile one way drive from Holualoa Inn to the park entrance. Some choose to travel via Hilo and Saddle Road that offer a climb up though the clouds with views of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa in an errie landscape not characteristic of those colorful travel posters. Others choose to take the southerly route via Pahala with a two lane highway that slices though coffee plantations and offers numerous tropical rainforests and coastal views. Either way an early start is a necessity to enjoy all the park has to offer and to expect a drive back to Holualoa after the sun sets.

Those looking to view the glow of Halemaumau crater should plan to stop at the Jagger Museum and Kilauea overlook for dusk when the low light gives way to glow of the crater. Many drive up to the park to arrive after 5pm when the entrance booths are closed and access to the park is free. Be sure to take along a flashlight to navigate the parking lots and walkways are for the most part unlighted.

All visitors to start their visit at the Visitors Center near the entrance of the park for information on eruptions, road closures and other park conditions. The Hawaii Volcano Observatory has a telephone information line with daily reports that provides up to date information on Big Island eruptions. The report can be reached by dialing (808) 967-8862.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

1 Crater Rim Dr 

Hawaii National Park, HI 96718

(808) 985-6000

http://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm

Hours: 24 hours

Admission: $10 per car (fee good for 7 consecutive days)

Lat: 19.428816

Lon: -155.253468

Kamehameha the Great and the Kona-Kohala Coast

Among the postcard perfect beaches and active volcanoes, the Big Island of Hawaii has numerous ancient archeological sites that are evidence of a thriving and structured ancient civilization. The Kona-Kohala has been the land of Kamehameha for hundreds of years.

After the death of Chief Kalaniopuu, Kamehameha rose to power along the Kona –Kohala Coast and eventually included guns into his arsenal and proceeded to unify the islands under Kamehameha rule. These efforts were strategize and executed from the war temple at Pug Kohola. Visitors to the heiau can visit the shoreline where war canoes were launched toward Maui to defeat Chief Kahekili.

Life for the makainana along the Kona-Kohala coast was a rich one. Evidence of this can be found at Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park. Visitors are welcome to walk through petroglyph fields, visit the ancient fishponds and fish traps that sustained a lively and thriving society.

Kamehameha the Great and his wife Kamamalu ruled by a series of kanawai or laws that incuded kapu that regulated certain activities. Those who were caught violating kapu were sentenced to death. However, there was a loophole. Those finding their way to the Pu‘uhonua would be spared and forgiven after spending a time being rehabilitated under the supervision of a priest. Today the largest pu‘uhonua in Hawaii can be found along the Kona Coast. A visit to Pu‘uhonua o Honaunau today can include a self guided tour though sacred sites as well as a day snorkeling with green sea turtles.

The duties of Kamehameha I took him to Maui to oversee the activities of the new Kingdom of Hawaii for an extended period of time. When he returned to the Big Island in 1812, the Ahuena Heiau became the center of the Kamehameha power. Located in the very heart of Kailua-Kona, the heiau was a nightly gathering place for advisors and royalty. His kingdom continued to thrive until his death in the early morning hours of May 8, 1819. Today, visitors are welcome to visit this restored historical site that is just steps from Alii Drive just makai of the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel.

Those visiting these historical sites are asked to not touch or disturb any of the stones or structures at anytime. These sites are considered sacred and should be treated with respect at all times.

Kayaking on Kealakekua Bay -- An Update

One of most popular destinations on the Big Island for kayaking and snorkeling, Kealakekua Bay and the Captain Cook Monument area of Ka‘awaloa Flats have been negatively impacted in recent years by an influx of illegal and unpermitted kayak rental operations. Beginning the first of this year, the State of Hawai‘i imposed a moratorium on the use of kayaks and floating vessels in Kealakekua Bay in an effort to "give the bay a rest" until planned management and regulatory actions are complete. Nobody knows for certain how long this process will take, so in the meantime, kayakers are basically out of luck when it comes to exploring Kealakekua Bay.

There is some good news, however, for visitors who want to go kayaking in this pristine Marine Conservation area. This month, the Department of Land and Natural Resources approved permits for  two commercial kayak tour companies, Aloha Kayak and Kona Boys, to return to the bay to offer guided tours twice a day. Currently, each tour company is allowed a total of 12 participants each trip, which means only 48 people per day can go on guided tours until further notice.

If you're planning a trip to Kona, be sure to book your kayak reservation in advance since space is limited. Located less than a half-hour drive from Holualoa Inn, Kealakekua Bay is a prime destination for viewing pods of spinner dolphins in the wild. Our Holualoa Inn ohana will give you insider tips on how to enjoy your day trip to Kealakekua Bay.



Innkeeper Holualoa Inn

Touring Historic Kailua Village

When visiting Kona, smartphone users can now download a free app to learn more about local history, significant sites and things to do along Ali‘i Drive in Historic Kailua Village. The app, called "Royal Footsteps Along the Kona Coast," puts the focus squarely on Kailua-Kona's seven-mile, oceanside corridor that features centuries-old archaeological sites and more than two dozen important points of interest.

The state's second official Hawai‘i Scenic Byway, Ali‘i Drive offers visitors a wealth of places to go and things to see, from snorkeling, diving, surfing and standup paddleboarding to relaxing at cafes, shopping the boutiques and village galleries, and savoring regional cuisine at one of many fabulous oceanfront dining destinations.

More importantly, Hawaiian heritage comes alive on the newly launched visitor app, which highlights such sites as the oldest Christian church in the state of Hawai‘i (Mokuaikaua Church), a royal palace (Hulihe‘e Palace) and a sacred Hawaiian temple (Ahuena Heiau).

In addition to a plethora of historical information and photos, the smartphone app also contains tidbits about recent history. For example, did you know that the famous Boogie Board was invented at Honls surf spot in downtown Kailua-Kona? When exploring Kailua-Kona with the smartphone app, there truly is more to our downtown than meets the eye!

Located just a short five-minute drive down the hill to Historic Kailua Village, Holualoa Inn is perfectly situated for your Hawaiian vacation in paradise. Our Kona bed and breakfast boutique hotel offers an off-the-beaten-path location in the heart of the Kona Coast, close to restaurants, recreational activities, heritage sites, Kona coffee farms and much, much more.






Innkeeper Holualoa Inn

Kava in Hawai‘i

Consumed for centuries by Polynesians and Hawaiians, Kava (or awa) is a soothing beverage made from the root of the kava plant. Touted for its medicinal qualities, kava is said to alleviate anxiety while promoting a heightened sense of well-being and mental clarity.

Here in Kona, there are several places where you can try kava. Kanaka Kava in Historic Kailua Village is the perfect spot to hang out and enjoy Kava prepared in a huge wooden bowl and served in coconut cups. And if you're hungry, there's also an excellent menu that features traditional Hawaiian food and appetizers. The outdoor setting and picnic table-style seating promotes a communal atmosphere among patrons. You might even imagine yourself seated with royalty in the days of the ali‘i, when kava was used as a sacred ceremonial drink of kings.

Those who  drink kava will notice a slight numbing sensation of the mouth and tongue. A tad bitter, the brothy beverage is made with pulverized kava root strained through a cloth and mixed with fresh water. There are at least 15 varieties of Hawaiian kava, each with its own qualities, flavors and potencies. Drinking kava on an empty stomach reportedly provides the most potency.

Guests of Holualoa Inn have the opportunity to experience the bounty of local foods that grow on the Big Island. Our garden, orchard, nursery and coffee estate provide much of the flavors you'll enjoy at the breakfast table. Be sure to make Holualoa Inn your home away from home on the Islands. And don't forget to make a trip to the kava bar.






Innkeeper Holualoa Inn