Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 33, Number 9, 1 September 2016 — 24th Annual Hawaiʻiʻs Woodshow showcases talent, skill and stewardship [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

24th Annual Hawaiʻiʻs Woodshow showcases talent, skill and stewardship

By Lindsey Kesel Hawai'i's Woodshow is a very special gathering where skill and creativity converge, and conservation is king. Also known as "Na La'au o Hawai'i," the juried exhibition invites the puhlie to dive in to the world of woodworking, with displays, demonstrations and plenty of opportunities to learn and connect with Hawai'i's most precious trees. Hosted by the Hawai'i Forest Industry Association, a collective of growers, botanists, woodworkers and others focused on preserving loeal forests, the event marks the largest collaboration of Hawai'i

woodworkers using locally grown materials. The one-of-a-kind show was created in 1983 to help build awareness and appreciation for Hawai'i's trees that are plentiful, and to challenge woodcrafters to reduce the strain on Aeaeia koa and other threatened endemic or indigenous types. Today, organizers work to carry out the mission of protecting native woods for future generations by integrating innovative awards and interactive features. Best forestry practices guide the principles of sustainability, eonservation and restoration to help protect threatened species while helping woods like mango, Norfolk Island pine and silky oak to enjoy some of the spotlight. The rules are simple: Woodworkers must use Hawai'i-grown woods. They ean intearate indiaenous species that are abun-

dant and sustainably grown and harvested, but rare and endangered species are barred, such as hala, māmane and 'ōhi'a, whieh join the list this year. Imported woods are permitted only if the application is traditional - such as spruce for a guitar top, or as accent or trim - and must comprise less than 10 percent of the pieee. Judges evaluate the works based on inspiration of design and excellence of implementation as artists vie for awards, like The Spirit of the Show award given to the artist who makes the best use of underutilized and readily available locally grown woods, and the Ron Kent Award, reserved for the young artist

who best combines creativity, design, technique and innovation. Last year's Best of Show recipient Mats Fogelvik used curly koa, milo, rosewood and olive ash burl to create his winning pieee, Roots of Inspiration, influenced by a certain bridge on Maui's famed Road to Hāna. Installation designer Diana Tusher got involved with Hawai'i's Woodshow while serving as an association board member. "I'mcontinually struck by the way people connect to the beautifully crafted objects," she says. "During this exhibition, the puhlie has an almost visceral connection to the artwork, to the wood and to our forests and

our 'āina." Show coordinator Marian Yasuda enjoys the "wow factor" that happens when visitors see loeal woods in a new light. "People are consistently shocked by how their yard trees or driftwood ean be transformed into beautiful works of art," she says. "Here you ean gain an appreciation for the efforts to prevent spread of disease and the unique ways that makers are able to conservatively utilize our precious resources like koa. It's a rare ehanee to catch the enormous talent that we have in our state andlearn the strong history of certain species and their integral role in Hawaiian culture." This year's event is expected

to draw over 100 entries from 40-plus artists and is set to run Sept. 17 through Oct. 2 at Honolulu Museum of Art School at Linekona. Attendees will be treated to intimate details on the Hawai'i Forest Institute's Children's Discovery Forest project, a massive planting effort now in development at the Honolulu Zoo, and a special focus on 'Ōhi'a Wilt, or Rapid 'Ōhia Death, the disease that now threatens the state's 'ōhi'a lehua tree population. Puhlie demonstrations include woodturning with pens and bowls and bamboo bicycle making. Guest juror and renowned artist Betty Scarpino will be offerina

a hands-on workshop on wood sculpting techniques. From furniture to musical instruments to abstract sculptures, the unique works on display at Hawai'i's Woodshow promise to inspire appreciation for the beauty and versatility of loeal woods and promote the perpetuation of Hawai'i's distinctive native trees. To learn more about this year's event, visit woodshow.Hawaiiforest.org. ■ Lindsey Keseī is a loeal freelance writer who focuses on huilding community, protecting the 'āina, and preservmg indigenous euhwe.

The 201 5 Hawai'i's Woodshow Best of Show award was given to Mats Fogelvik, a Hawai'i lsland furniture artistfor his pieee, Roots of lnspiration. The work utilized high quality curly Koa, Milo, Rosewood and Olive Ash Burl in an interestina wav capturina aualities of eaeh species. - Photos: Hal Lum

Right: Scott Hare, 201 5 1 st Plaee Sculpture;

Left: David Gomes, 201 5 1 st Plaee lnstrument