On Sunday April 12th, the Mala’ai Garden called the community together again to feed the garden with nutrients for the coming year. While the object was green in color, it was in the form of funds rather than plant fiber. But really the process is much the same. Author Ann Patchett observed that all experiences feed her “compost” pile of creativity. And so in a way, Sunday’s gathering was a composting event made up of diverse community contributions.
The lobby of the Kahilu Theatre was bedecked with auction items that ranged from fine art and crafts to luscious baskets of vegetables. Patti Cook and Pat Rice, two mainstays, movers and shakers of Waimea Middle School, greeted folks with cheerful aloha and an auction book and number. Joe Conti, playing a multi-string instrument called a Chapman Stick after its creator, infused the air with familiar tunes, richly rendered that lent an air of natural calm to the crowded gathering, while wait staff circulated with trays of delectable eats and wine catered by Red Water Cafe.
The lobby of the Kahilu Theatre was bedecked with auction items that ranged from fine art and crafts to luscious baskets of vegetables. Patti Cook and Pat Rice, two mainstays, movers and shakers of Waimea Middle School, greeted folks with cheerful aloha and an auction book and number. Joe Conti, playing a multi-string instrument called a Chapman Stick after its creator, infused the air with familiar tunes, richly rendered that lent an air of natural calm to the crowded gathering, while wait staff circulated with trays of delectable eats and wine catered by Red Water Cafe.
Silent auction items were displayed in the east gallery, and along with regular auction items in the west gallery, two garden alumni proudly displayed student garden artwork and offered flags for decoration that will grace the garden with good wishes.
“Life brings life,” is garden director, Amanda Rieux’s driving philosophy and the auction was a prime example of this. We draw strength, sustenance and creativity from the land and then we give back to replenish this amazing life source. Auctioneer Pat Batchelder began the bidding. We were treated to the beautiful aesthetic efforts of Roen Hufford’s kapa art, Kapuhealani (Forbidden Heaven), “My children sat on the grass and dreamed with Amanda about the garden,” she shared as she introduced the piece. Also Good Luck Koi, a 64 by 36 inch diptych block print on muslin, was introduced by artist, Marcia Ray.
Other artwork included a koa monstera table and koa paddle by Stan Gollaher, a photograph by former CFHT astronomer Jean Charles Cuillandre, Shadow of Mauna Kea with Full Moon, Mauna Kea Ho`oila a panoramic photograph of Waimea and Mauna a Wakea by Ethan Tweedie and a blown glass ball titled Pele’s Way by Hugh Jenkins and Stephanie Ross that encases an amazing, colorful dreamscape.
More in the realm of the tangible, delicious meals by Angela Zink and Island Thyme Gourmet, a Handsome Friends Landscaping garden installation, star gazing and `ai pono meal by Chadd Paishon, Pomai Bertelmann, Amand Rieux and Matilda Thompson and a Manalulu Farm tour and lunch were all on offer, as well as hotel stays and golf rounds.
More in the realm of the tangible, delicious meals by Angela Zink and Island Thyme Gourmet, a Handsome Friends Landscaping garden installation, star gazing and `ai pono meal by Chadd Paishon, Pomai Bertelmann, Amand Rieux and Matilda Thompson and a Manalulu Farm tour and lunch were all on offer, as well as hotel stays and golf rounds.
The gratitude of the community for the gifts of the garden to the children, to the community, to a sustainable way of life was clearly present. Like microorganisms, quietly working unobserved, receiving whatever is given and magically turning it into treasure, through this fund raising effort the garden staff will be able to continue to create the conditions for growth that will feed the community’s minds, bodies and spirits. The origins of our true wealth are many hands in the soil.
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