Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 10, Number 11, 1 November 1993 — Taro Days at Waimea [ARTICLE]

Taro Days at Waimea

Hawai'i's kalo culture will be celebrated during "Taro Days at Historic Spencer House" Nov. 12-14 in Waimea on the island of Hawai'i. This exhibit of art, artifacts and archival photography will coincide with the Hāmākua Taro Festival, set for Nov. 13 in the Honoka'a High School gym. During the late 1800s and the first half of this century, the Spencer House played an important role in providing taro to Waimea residents. The first frame house in Waimea, the home served as the eommunity court house, hospital, country inn and general store. Farmers would leave their taro on the porch to be sold to the people of the area.

"Taro Days" will include a first-ever North Hawai'i exhibit of original art and block prints by Doug Po'oloa Tolentino, who has created the Merrie Monarch poster for the past four years. There will also be a sale of seldom-seen photographic reprints from the Hawai'i State Archives and private collections of taro cultivation and the making and eating of poi. Stone carver Kalei Bajo will also show his work. The exhibit, presented by Cook's Discoveries, will be open from lOa.m. -6p.m