The Carousel of Aloha is reaching out to the community. We are in need of a place to hold our February workshop. We’d love to have a month-to-month rental donated to us. This would be a great tax deduction for someone who has an empty warehouse waiting to be leased, or a large room at a church or community center.
At minimum, we need it from February 8th through the 24th, but are really looking for something ongoing to allow us to continue carving and storing the figures we are working on and the supplies we’re using. If you or anyone you know might be able to help, please let us know as soon as possible. Remember, this is a great tax deduction. If necessary we can pay the utilities we use.
Mahalo to everyone for being so supportive of this project. Please SHARE this with anyone you can think who can be of assistance.
We’re super excited at the momentum that is quickly building around the Carousel of Aloha project. We’re meeting with a few people shortly to discuss a location for the upcoming class in February as well as a permanent home.
We’re also getting ready to welcome Master Carousel Carver Ken Means to our island. He and his wife Betty will be here for almost 3 weeks. They will teach our class, flyer attached, and then be the Guests of Honor at our Fundraiser on February 22nd.
Be sure and click on the link above or on the picture, and share with all you know. We have a few more openings but believe this two week class will fill up soon. It’s limited to only 12 students.
Imagine being a part of building Hawaii’s future, a place for kids of all ages to go, have fun, learn and be with family and friends.
Won’t you come be a part of the Carousel of Aloha?
I have long advocated–half seriously–that we should move Christmas to August because of the stress the holiday adds to December. During the darkest days of the year, I’d prefer to have the leisure to sit quietly and read a good book. Instead, December brings a mountain of holiday-related work. Consequently, I’ve had to push the Carousel of Aloha to a back burner where it has simmered, and its gentle bubbling reminded me of all the carousel chores I was neglecting. Guilt knows no bounds.
I’ve felt a measure of guilt in December for my inability to devote more time to the carousel. I’ve even felt it through the fatigue that has often accompanied my waking hours this month. The amalgam of guilt and fatigue has a toxic quality, so I’m glad that Boxing Day has come and gone. Now I can resume a semblance of ordinary life.
Today is Thursday, December 27th, and Ken’s Master Carving Workshop looms large. I’ve got to kick it up a notch of two in order to properly prepare for that. The list of task is long and as varied as the list of material wants and needs. For example, we need several pairs of old jean. We actually only need the legs which we will make into sandbags to steady carving stock. We also need someone who will play tour guide for Ken and Betty, his wife during their days off. So please visit Yen’s Wishlist for a complete inventory, and offer your assistance to whatever degree.
The third Introduction to Carving Workshop also approaches. We elected not to schedule any workshops in December (thank goodness) because we knew that everyone would already be overwhelmed by the season. We’ll hold the January Workshop inPahoa on Sunday, January 13th. January is also the month we need to make all the carving blanks for Ken’s Master Workshop.
Last week I found Thomas sitting in my path. I was traveling a straight and narrow path that had scheduled me for a 15 minute–half hour max–stop at the Hilo Coffee Mill. I needed to re-glue the three carving blanks that had come loose from their carving boards during the previous Sunday’s Introduction to Carving workshop. And I had a lot of other stops on my “to do” list. As always, that list ran longer than I could reasonably accomplish in a day or two, or seven. Sound familiar? But anyway, there sat Thomas sipping coffee and gazing at the screen of his laptop.
Thomas and I started talking story, a mode to which he seems naturally prone, for he couldn’t have learned the trick in the short time he’s lived in Hawai’i. We talked story for two hours. Philip joined us midstream, and we probably could have gabbed the whole day. Maybe some day we will, but that day I couldn’t extend my indulgence that far.
The Carousel of Aloha Project makes an obvious connecting among the three of us, or maybe I should say that the Project highlights the connection that has always existed. And I when indulge in the richness of that connection I become more open to engaging in other serendipitous encounters. Later I quipped to the unknown woman in line in front of me at the supermarket, “chocolate chip cookies?”. She was waiting to buy all of the ingredients including a foil baking sheet. And we began a short conversation that revealed that she and her husband had just moved to the Big Island, and he’s retired. So I gave her my Carousel of Aloha business card and encouraged her and especially her husband to visit the website.
I have no idea if those 10 minutes will measurably advance the Carousel. I do know that I felt happier as I left the store, and I think that she did too. And I believe that the unplanned two hours I spent at the Mill changed me in a way that make possible those 10 minutes.
We are building the Carousel of Aloha, the carousel of ALOHA. As I travel down this path I realize, however slowly, and appreciate more and more the importance of building not only with basswood and glue, but also with aloha
I wish that we had a secure place in which to hold Ken Means’ carving workshop in February 2013. Ken is our Master Carver. This past July I learned to carve from him at the annual three-week workshop he convenes near his home in rural Oregon. The guy has a wealth of knowledge to share, and, in just four months, he’s coming to the Big Island to teach a two-week session. How exciting.
But I wish that we had a secure place in which to hold that workshop. I cast a hungry eye at the former McDonald’s in Hilo. And I cast an introductory letter to the new owners. I only have the mailing address they gave the County, a P.O. Box on Maui. Wish us luck.
I think that this location would serve us well because of its proximity to so many institutions that might take interest in the Carousel of Aloha: schools, churches, museums. I looked in the windows during a recent stroll through downtown Hilo. I saw that the building could contain as many as a dozen craving stations even though all the tables remain in place. It also has lots of other features that would suit our needs. I even dream of using the space to build the carving blanks for Ken’s workshop.
I dream a lot these days. I think that one needs to invite dreams especially these days. Working on the Carousel of Aloha helps me invite dreams. I dream of the day when we have more people giving their time, labor, and hearts to the project. Along with dreams I have the sure knowledge that the efforts I’ve given so far have yielded rich rewards. So come join the party, and send us your good thoughts to help us find a space in which to hold Ken’s workshop.
As our project grows and gains more credibility, there is no doubt in my mind we will have all the support we need. Getting the initial support is the hardest. It takes a few brave souls who either understand or almost understand, what this project can do for Hawaii, it’s people and it’s visitors, to get the ball rolling.
Woodcraft is one of those forward thinking businesses in Hawaii.
Since 1928, Woodcraft has delivered the finest woodworking tools, woodworking plans and woodworking supplies to America’s woodworkers. Woodcraft brings you over 20,000 woodworking tools and backed by our 90-Day Guarantee and industry best customer service. With top of the line power tools, clamps, pen kits, hand saws, fasteners, woodworking plans and more, Woodcraft is able to fill all your woodworking supply needs. Woodcraft has provided the woodworking community the best woodworking tools for 80 years, helping people complete countless projects. If you’re looking for the best in woodworking tools, woodworking plans, and supplies, look no further than Woodcraft.
The way we became involved was through FlexCut, one of the finest names in carving tools. I sent them two emails and they thought this project was worthy of their attention and support. FlexCut contacted Woodcraft on Oahu and Iris, from Woodcraft contacted me. It has been a wonderful experience, they have helped us immensely and we hope our relationship lasts throughout and beyond the life of our project. Not only have they helped with tools for our carving workshops, but their customer service has made it a pleasure.
From Paradise Ponies, Inc and the Carousel of Aloha, we’d like to welcome Woodcraft to our family and mahalo you for your kokua.
My legs feel tired and stiff. That comes as no surprise to me because I spent most of the day fabricating carving benches in preparation for the Introduction to Carving Workshops that we have scheduled for the next few months. Fortunately, I had a couple of helpers who turned what would have been a trying couple of days labor for me alone into a very productive morning. I have long said that two people working well together can accomplish much more than twice what two people working separately can do. And in this case three people working together made short work of the task. Well maybe not that short, but we surely made a fine collaboration.
When I take part in a good collaboration I always get a warm fuzzy feeling; I always get filled with hope for the human species and find reason to break into an easy smile, something that the evening news never provides. Therein lies the attraction to the Carousel of Aloha Project for me, the knowledge that my work matters in this world and that together we can. I know that we’ve probably all that slogan attached to election campaigns both locally and nationally, but that doesn’t mean that it must be an empty slogan, and empty promise. I have faith that it won’t be for the Carousel, but faith must partner with sweat, ingenuity and good old fun before we can take our first turn on the big wheel.
In a few days I will put my chisels to the wood. I’ll try out the new carver’s mallet I ordered through the internet. It’s a big hummer that weighs in at 18 ounces or almost as much as a framing hammer. I tried it for a few minutes a couple of days ago and thought that it was a tad heavy. Good for the heavy cuts of roughing out but more than I want to wield for a whole day especially when carving fine details. I suffer from intimidation. I fear that I won’t be able to render the hibiscus that the class will carve at the end of September. I’ve felt this way before. I felt this way many times during my three weeks in Oregon carving with Ken Means, but I always managed to work my way through the fear. Going beyond the apparent limits that fear creates is another aspect of this project. I think that it has to do with finding our true selves, of becoming more of what we really are rather than settling for the best that comfort allows.
Tomorrow I will work in the garden. I will use other tools, quiet tools that I don’t have to plug into the wall. I’m carving out our landscape too, and that too feeds my soul. But now I need to rest my body.
Sometimes you wonder if when living in Hawaii, you are in a foreign country. Trying to order from the internet can be trying, to say the least. Comments like “we don’t ship to Hawaii” or “we only ship FedEx” or “we’ll ship it parcel post and it will arrive within 10 days”, really make you wonder.
The past three days, I have had the most wonderful experience with DickBlick.com, an art supply house in Illinois. Everyone I spoke with was kind, courteous, friendly and knowledgeable. It just filled my heart to know there are still companies who care and try to understand.
And they are the first to really give us support on our project, in the form of a deep discount on supplies.
Three cheers to DickBlick.com. If you need supplies they have great prices, even without a discount.
Mahalo nui loa to DickBlick.com for partnering with Paradise Ponies, Inc. and the Carousel of Aloha. We’ll be back over the next 3 years!
When I volunteered to do the job of managing the Carousel of Aloha Project for the Big Island alone (I’m not the Head Cheese, thank goodness), I suspected that I had agreed to take a very large bite. Of course, I had a poor appreciation for the real size of the bite; I needed that poor understanding because I never would have made the commitment had I accurately understood the magnitude of the task. That is NOT to say that I regret saying, “yes”. Like committing to build a house here in Hawai’i, I expect that my committing to the Carousel Project will yield great personal rewards. And I believe that those goodies will more than fairly compensate me for my time and labor. What a great job. I never got such a good deal when I had to sell my labor.
We have a middle-term vision that has a Master Carver, Ken Means by name, come to the Big Island in February to conduct a three-week Carousel Carving Class. I spent three weeks carving with Ken this past July, and I came home with lots of horse parts. Many of those parts are finished. Some of them need more work. The product of my four weeks away impresses my wife, Patricia for both quality and it’s quantity. And I’m pleased by what I accomplished in a relatively short period of time. For the record, my wife does not agree that one should describe the time I spent in Oregon as “short”, but that’s another story.
This story is more about preparing for that middle-term vision. Of course, you’re all invited to participate in the February Carving Class. Stay tuned for details as we flesh them out.
But back to the preparations. We’ve scheduled three Introduction to Carving Workshops for Puna. You’re all invited to participate in them too. Details to follow. The first workshop will be in late September. I believe that we’re shooting for the afternoon of the 30th in Volcano. Time and place are not yet set, so if you have any ideas of a good location, please let me know. Send your email messages to: HIPM@CarouselofAloha.org
In the Intro to Carving Workshops people will use our tools and materials to transform a block of bass wood into a Hawaiian theme figure. The participants won’t get to take their work home. Instead it will ultimately get included in the finished carousel. Speaking as one who recently took a block of wood and brought a horse’s head out of it, the feeling of satisfaction is amazing. And I’m confident that anybody can successfully carve the figure we’ll work on in September. I have to be confident because I need to carve it before the first workshop, gulp!
I have professional help doing the carving, so I’m not really worried. All I really have to do is make the time to put chisel to wood. You all can help me find the time, if you’ll take on some of the other chores I now must shoulder. We really need someone who will work with other volunteers to bring them into the project in ways that tickle their fancy. But if you can’t chomp at that piece, I could use the help with a lot of smaller chores. Got a couple of hours to help make portable carving benches? Contact me, or leave me a telephone message at: 808.315.1093. Don’t like to work with plywood? No problem. Click on Yen’s Wish List for a full list of needs.
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