KOLOA — Eric Knutzen hit into a triple winner last Saturday at the Dark Horse Coffee Roasters shop in Koloa.
“Muralists Seth Womble and Trysen Kaneshige were both in our Leadership Kaua‘i 2021 class,” Knutzen said. “They’re working collaboratively to create four canvasses, each 3 feet by 4 feet, outside of Dark Horse Coffee that I like to drink. They’ll be joined by musicians Cory Mira and JP, later. It is a great way to visit over a cup of coffee and watch our local talent create art and winner. It’s a triple winner!”
Sponsored by Dark Horse Coffee Roasters, Womble and Kaneshige worked on a tarp set up under the monkeypod tree fronting the former Koloa Hongwanji Mission social hall to benefit the artists, the musicians and the cafe that washed wave after wave of breakfast beverage lovers.
“We feature an artist a month,” said Alexis Wendelton, the Dark Horse manager. “We bring in artists each month and they get to show, also getting all of the proceeds generated from their showing. We were going to have an art exhibit, but that was gone after the COVID-19 situation worsened. Artists have an impact on the space, and with each featured artist, the space changes. Having Seth and Trysen here is in line with our mission.”
Wendelton said she came here from San Diego, Calif., to train the staff for the opening nine months ago. Armed with her knowledge of coffee roasting, grinding and brewing, Wendelton never left. The growing process involved Danny and Lynda Charlson and their four sons who govern the cafe.
“When I go to San Diego for a break, things feel strange,” she said. “I come back to Kaua‘i, and everything’s fine.”
Open seven days a week — Mondays through Fridays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. — the Dark Horse Coffee Roasters space is broken down into the roasting and packaging section that is directly across the cafe kitchen area. The rear of the building is set up for sitting and enjoying the brew while perusing the featured artist’s work hanging on the walls, and enjoying the indoor space.
“We don’t have a phone,” Wendelton said. “People need to come in person for ordering. We’re still building a home.”
Knutzen said there were no prerequisites to the Saturday morning.
“Nothing is pre-determined,” he said. “It’s just simply Trysen and Seth collaborating to result in two pairs of canvasses painted together — while enjoying a cup of coffee. Trysen is a kind, creative individual known to be amazingly giving by all. His art is the upcoming standard jewel of Omao here on Kaua‘i. Seth’s smile is contagious and he is known for his colorful ingenious art, and is loved. He is colorful and dramatic, just like his mind.”
A cup of coffee, two artists, and a pair of musicians on a clear Saturday morning — definitely a triple winner.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
