Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 33, Number 5, 1 May 2016 — WHAT'S A PARKLET? [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WHAT'S A PARKLET?

By Lynn Cook What is a Parklet? Answer: it is a small space usually filled by a car. Chinatown's long-term gallery owner Sandy Pohl looked at the spaces outside her Bethel Street gallery and decided the three-by-five spaces with parking meters, connected end-to-end, could be a perfect space for a table, an artist and maybe even a tent. All she needed were willing artists and barricades to protect them. On the second Saturday of the month, the parklets heeome art shops from 1 1 a.m to 4 p.m Residents and visitors have enjoyed First Friday in downtown Plonolulu for a number of years. Pohl was a leader of the events when doors of galleries, shops, bars and restaurants welcomed the

crowds. As the mix of merchants changed, with eateries replacing art and nightlife pulling a new demographic, Pohl relocated her Flotel Street gallery to Bethel and Pauahi Street, just a hloek away from the long-running ARTS at Marks Garage. Shoppers would wander through the art shows and gravitate toward the multitude of dining choices. "I knew we needed an alternate event, geared to families and daytime fun," Pohl says. After two trial months, Second Saturday is set with plans and themes for the remainder of the year. Response during the trial "was awesome," Pohl enthuses, noting that parking was "plentiful and families eame and stayed." Word has gotten around and artists are calling to be involved. Because May celebrates the Maoli

Arts Movement, with the month dedicated to indigenous art, Pohl decided to work with the organizing PA'I Foundation and the Hawaiian artists involved in the MAMo festival. A1 Logunero's new works and Kahi Ching's work entitled "Mahalo Piha" will fill the walls of the Pohl Gallery. On Nuuaunu Avenue, Carl Pao will fill five spaces with an art experience. On Bethel Street, the parklets will be populated by Kahi Ching, Imai Kalahele and Bob Freitas, Vernon Rieta and Friends and watercolor artist Sam Ahai. Pohl says, "Sam has invited a koa paddle maker and we expect the

roster will grow." In past years many of the artists have been featured in the MAMo Wearable Art Show, set for May 18th at neighboring Hawai'i Theatre. Crowds may be surprised with models from the "over-the-top" fashion show taking an art walk. As the crowd wanders they will find Second Saturday music by Maikapu'uwai and Hoaloha on ARTS at Marks Garage's lawn. The group Tantalus will perform on Bethel Street at Marks. Pohl says the event is growing. For now the artists have the space at no charge

and are weleome to sell their art or CDs. As the event grows, a small cost of parklets and barricades may need to get an assist. June will be the month of "Plein Air," directed by Hawai'i's noted artist Mark Brown. Calling it a first annual "Paint Out" event, Brown will gather his students, brief them and send them "street walking." This event has a $ 10 fee but guarantees a spot for the class experience and hanging on the Pohl Gallery wall. Pohl adds, "no commission." For the uninformed, Pohl says, in "Plein Air, also called 'peinture sure le motif,' a painter works outdoors with a theme and a limited time. We are excited to have the work here in the gallery that day." Artists should eheek with Pohl for future Second Saturday themes. For more information, visit www. louispohlgallery.com/secondsaturday.html. ■

Lynn Cook i.s a loeal freelance journalist sharing the arts and culture ofHawai'i with a glohal auāienee.

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CHINATOWN SEC0ND SATURDAY

At Second Saturday, "parklets" offer more room to appreciate loeal art. - Photo: Courtesy Miki Lee