Don’t know what to do on a Friday night? You should always be open to the Hanapepe Art Walk. This less than two-block stretch of Hanapepe Road provides fun for all ages, whether you go there solo, with friends, or
Don’t know what to do on a Friday night? You should always be open to the Hanapepe Art Walk. This less than two-block stretch of Hanapepe Road provides fun for all ages, whether you go there solo, with friends, or with family. Beginning at 6 p.m. and ending at 9 p.m., it still leaves time for nighthawks to enjoy their weekend after hours.
The first place I went into was Amy-Lauren’s Gallery, located on the corner of Kona Road and Hanapepe Road, across from the Monster Tacos truck and the Talk Story Bookstore.
Many paintings were by Camile Fontaine, daughter of famous local artist James Hoyle and half-sister of gallery owner Amy-Lauren Jones. Fontaine’s choice of vibrant colors, complemented by an impressionist style not unlike Hoyle’s, creates an aesthetic that gallery manager Michael Sieradzki calls, “Van Gogh with a twist of Mardis Gras.”
One particular painting from Amy-Lauren’s Gallery forever embedded in my memory is a portrait by North Shore artist Katy Randolph.
Her portrait of Princess Ka‘iulani, painted with crushed gemstones, results in a subtle yet strongly effective shimmer above the canvas. The most definite lines painted in this composition are only from the neck to the top of the princess’ head. Her white dress and arms bleed and blend into the background of muted grey, blue and pink. This is a beauty that my photograph cannot give any justice to.
Adjacent to Amy-Lauren’s Gallery and right in front of their production factory is a booth for local apparel brand Rambla Clothing Company, owned by husband-and-wife team Kauhi and Lillian Sarmiento.
April 8 was their first time selling at the weekly event. Due to the rain shower that occurred before sunset, they closed down earlier than expected.
Further east on Hanapepe Road, I see Westside Smitty performing in front of the Storybook Theatre. With a guitar slung in front of him and a harmonica propped conveniently in front of his mouth, he’s easy to spot.
Smitty attributes much of Hanapepe’s Friday night success to the people who provide food and refreshments. His reason was simple-people walking around and looking at art become hungry and thirsty.
I looked around. Westside Smitty had a point. There were just as many people inside restaurants or waiting in line by a food truck as there were people roaming the galleries and artist’s tents. The Hanapepe Art Walk is a feast for eyes, ears and mouth.
