An Annual Festival
Celebrating Kona's Agriculture

News Flash

Art & Photo Competition Winners
See who won this year's competition.

Kona Spring Blossom Festival, April 2000

Report by Ken Love
Festival Chair

Opening Event: Festival Kickoff
April 1: Kealakekua

The April first awards banquet at the Kona Hongwanji Mission brought hundreds of residents together from different geographical areas and socio-economic backgrounds, and also attracted a lot of visitors.

Farmers who have worked the land for more than 50 years sat next members of the artist community, and residents from Kailua mixed with people from up Mauka. In my opinion, the relationships established at this dinner will extend into the future, and help to develop not only next year's festival but Agtourism in Kona.

I would like to offer kudos and recognition to to the various groups helping at the dinner. I would like to particularly thank the Kona Jaycees, Friends of the Library Kona (FOLK), and those involved with the University, especially Jean Hull.

Although 100 people were expected at the dinner, 240 attended. West Hawaii Today ran a picture of a member of the Kona Jaycees giving an agricultural quiz to those at the dinner, and a week later, followed up with a list of winners and two photos of winning entries. Overall the publicity was successful, and we received calls from a number of Mainland newspapers. Our Japanese publicity and website information also proved successful as a number of people who came to later events reported they were there because of seeing something in Japanese on a website as well as reading Japanese newspapers and Hawaii Japanese newspapers.

The Photo Judging

The grand prize went to Paul Hansen for his photograph of a fragrant plumeria

The photo and art contest was judged by 17 judges in three countries, all professional artists in different media. Twelve of the judges have spent time in Kona; ten are connected to the advertising business in Japan or Germany, and decide on images used in print or tv advertising. The judging was based not only on the creative content of each piece, but also on what these people felt visitors would like to see when they visit Kona. Another factor considered was how the artwork would work as a promotional image to be used in future advertising. The entrants themselves mirrored the makeup of the dinner attendants, with some entries from out of state. Prizes were donated from Kona merchants, farmers and restaurants. The dinner itself, offered by University Center/West Hawaii culinary students, was prepared with local produce donated by local farmers.

April 6 to 8
Made on the Big Island Outlet Local Products Day
This day featured a display on the KSBF as well as local products from farmers and producers.

April 10
Banana Bread Day
A number of visitors who stopped by Kona Tastee Foods bakery reported that they stopped due to publicity from KSBF.

April 11
Ag Day at the Kealakekua Library. (Hosted by F.O.L.K.)
Preschoolers from both Hongwanji Preschool and Sonshine Preschool were read ag-related stories. Freshly-made banana chips were provided to them and Sonshine students drew pictures which were taken to Kainaliu to be displayed during their Town Day on April 15. Local author and coffee farmer Jack Kelly was the special guest at a potluck luncheon as the Kona area's BookLovers groups discussed his book Keoni's Dream. This event also produced a front page picture of a member of FOLK reading to the preschool children.

April 14
Alii gardens Market place created an festival-oriented event that included live music, hula lessons, an orchid show, and a lei making contest. Many of the vendors offered special discounts, as well as a prize donation. The vendors reported that many visitors came because of KSBF publicity in the local paper as well as in Aloha Airlines Magazine.

Main Event
April 15: Kainaliu

Farm & Field Day, UH Manoa Experiment Station
Ag-related Contests
Kainaliu-town Open House

April 22
Orchid show and Sale
at Keauhou shopping center. It was also reported that some visitors came because of KSBF advertising and publicity.

Closing Event: Hanami
April 29: Holualoa

The hanami or flower viewing party held at the picturesque Doutor Farm was a complete success. It also mirrored the dinner in its diversity of individuals. A number of tour vans brought Japanese tourists, thanks to the publicity in Japanese. Of the approximately 300 attending the event, which included sake and beer tasting, food sold by a local church, karaoke and farm tour, about 40% were from Japan.

Coffee, macadamia nuts and various cookies were sold. These items featured a label with the winning image of the spring blossom festival art/photo contest. The Kona Young Farmers organized this event for the KSBF. Kona Jaycees also assisted with logistics.


An Annual Festival Celebrating Kona's Agriculture

	News Flash Art & Photo Competition Winners See who won this year's competition.
Kona Spring Blossom Festival, April 2000 Report by Ken Love Festival Chair Opening Event: Festival Kickoff April 1: Kealakekua The April first awards banquet at the Kona Hongwanji Mission brought hundreds of residents together from different geographical areas and socio-economic backgrounds, and also attracted a lot of visitors. Farmers who have worked the land for more than 50 years sat next members of the artist community, and residents from Kailua mixed with people from up Mauka. In my opinion, the relationships established at this dinner will extend into the future, and help to develop not only next year's festival but Agtourism in Kona. I would like to offer kudos and recognition to to the various groups helping at the dinner. I would like to particularly thank the Kona Jaycees, Friends of the Library Kona (FOLK), and those involved with the University, especially Jean Hull. Although 100 people were expected at the dinner, 240 attended. West Hawaii Today ran a picture of a member of the Kona Jaycees giving an agricultural quiz to those at the dinner, and a week later, followed up with a list of winners and two photos of winning entries. Overall the publicity was successful, and we received calls from a number of Mainland newspapers. Our Japanese publicity and website information also proved successful as a number of people who came to later events reported they were there because of seeing something in Japanese on a website as well as reading Japanese newspapers and Hawaii Japanese newspapers. The Photo Judging

		The grand prize went to Paul Hansen for his photograph of a fragrant plumeria
The photo and art contest was judged by 17 judges in three countries, all professional artists in different media. Twelve of the judges have spent time in Kona; ten are connected to the advertising business in Japan or Germany, and decide on images used in print or tv advertising. The judging was based not only on the creative content of each piece, but also on what these people felt visitors would like to see when they visit Kona. Another factor considered was how the artwork would work as a promotional image to be used in future advertising. The entrants themselves mirrored the makeup of the dinner attendants, with some entries from out of state. Prizes were donated from Kona merchants, farmers and restaurants. The dinner itself, offered by University Center/West Hawaii culinary students, was prepared with local produce donated by local farmers. April 6 to 8 Made on the Big Island Outlet Local Products Day This day featured a display on the KSBF as well as local products from farmers and producers. April 10 Banana Bread Day A number of visitors who stopped by Kona Tastee Foods bakery reported that they stopped due to publicity from KSBF. April 11 Ag Day at the Kealakekua Library. (Hosted by F.O.L.K.) Preschoolers from both Hongwanji Preschool and Sonshine Preschool were read ag-related stories. Freshly-made banana chips were provided to them and Sonshine students drew pictures which were taken to Kainaliu to be displayed during their Town Day on April 15. Local author and coffee farmer Jack Kelly was the special guest at a potluck luncheon as the Kona area's BookLovers groups discussed his book Keoni's Dream. This event also produced a front page picture of a member of FOLK reading to the preschool children. April 14 Alii gardens Market place created an festival-oriented event that included live music, hula lessons, an orchid show, and a lei making contest. Many of the vendors offered special discounts, as well as a prize donation. The vendors reported that many visitors came because of KSBF publicity in the local paper as well as in Aloha Airlines Magazine. Main Event April 15: Kainaliu Farm & Field Day, UH Manoa Experiment Station Ag-related Contests Kainaliu-town Open House April 22 Orchid show and Sale at Keauhou shopping center. It was also reported that some visitors came because of KSBF advertising and publicity. Closing Event: Hanami April 29: Holualoa The hanami or flower viewing party held at the picturesque Doutor Farm was a complete success. It also mirrored the dinner in its diversity of individuals. A number of tour vans brought Japanese tourists, thanks to the publicity in Japanese. Of the approximately 300 attending the event, which included sake and beer tasting, food sold by a local church, karaoke and farm tour, about 40% were from Japan. Coffee, macadamia nuts and various cookies were sold. These items featured a label with the winning image of the spring blossom festival art/photo contest. The Kona Young Farmers organized this event for the KSBF. Kona Jaycees also assisted with logistics. Agtourism Home \| About Agtourism \| Resources Events\| Agtourism Attractions Map \| Related Links \| Contact us