FEBRUARY en PLEIN AIRE

Aloha Artists! Aloha February!
I've been down with the flu! Yuck... anyhow, if I'm ever late in posting, always know that Every First
Thursday the spot is Wai'uli, in Keaukaha. I hope to see you there.. February is a nice month for painting-- we quite often can see some snow on top of Mauna Kea, the whales are here, and we have some nice trade winds back... 

SCHEDULE- every Thursday, Sunrise to Sunset.
6- WAI'ULI- Keaukaha, Kalaniana'ole Ave to Wai'uli beach. Large parking area, water, bathrooms,
fabulous views, and nice shelter.
13-ALA HEIAU-Puna, Makuu Drive to the bottom and turn right on Ala Heiau Road. One of our most favorite locations, bar none.  No facilities.
20-LAUPAHOEHOE POINT- Hamakua, North of Hilo. From Hilo take the Hamakua Hwy to the Lauapahoehoe turn, just after the 27 mile marker, and the second gulch. Drive all the way to the bottom where you will come to a coastal beach park. Dramatic and beautiful. Worth the drive. Bathrooms and water available.
27-4 MILE BEACH- Keaukaha, just before Carlsmith Beach Park. Nice views across the bay, and the largest sea turtles around. Facilities available.

Pau. Amy

JANUARY 2014/ en plein aire

Aloha Artists, Aloha 2014!
January 2014--- what a way to come in-- Thunder and Lightning.. and all this rain! Spectacular and awesome, and very very wet.  I look forward to a year of new beginnings and new art; newness in general always has a fresh and unfettered vibe. That in itself is inspiring. If you haven't painted with our windward side group, Plein Air Artists of Hawaii Island, then make this your year of showing up and busting out some outside art.

SCHEDULE-  every Thursday, sunrise to sunset, or whenever you can show up.

2- WAI'ULI BEACH PARK- tried and true, this lovely lovely park, offers fabulous changing views over the Hilo Bay. Located on Kalanianaole Ave., just before  Richardson's Beach Park. Plenty parking, facilities, and covered pavilions. Every month this is where we begin.     
9-ALA HEI'AU-Puna, Paradise Park. From Hilo drive the Keaau-Pahoa By-Pass Rd. towards Pahoa turning makai onto Maku'u Rd. Follow down to the bottom, about 4 miles or so, then turn right onto
Ala Heiau Rd. Drive to the end and park, selecting a spot that doesn't block beach access roads. Unstoppable views, magical colors on the reefs, splashing waves, whale sightings, it's got it all.
16- REED'S BAY- Hilo, Banyan Drive. On the Banyan Drive looping road, you can get there from the Belt Hwy (11) from the Ken's Pancake House/Verna's Drive In intersection or from the road fronting Suisan (Lihiwai), either way it's just a short ride on the Banyan lined road.. this newly renovated park offers ocean views, loads of small anchored sail boats, and shady banyan trees.
23-MACKENZIE BEACH PARK- Puna, Red Road- From Pahoa, head east (makai) on Hwy 132 (Kapoho Road). Take the right fork as the road turns into Pahoa-Pohoiki Road, or Mango Road. Follow this narrow road for about 5 miles and you will come to a stop sign. At the stop sign, turn right onto Hwy 137 (Kapoho Kalapana Road, aka Red Road). About 2 miles down, look for the ‘MacKenzie Park’ sign and park entrance.  Beautiful sheltered cliff side park, shade trees.
30-LILIUOKALANI BEACH PARK- Hilo, Banyan Drive. From Hilo you will take Lihiwai Street, by Suisan- then turn right at the 4 way stop sign onto Banyan Drive. The park will be on your left.
Drive to the area where the tea house is, the group will meet there. Lots of bridges, and manicured Japanese style gardens, wonderful ponds and across the bay views. You can also drive in from the
Ken's pancake house entrance described in the REED'S BAY directions, passing by Reed's bay and curving around til you come to the park, either way both are easy. 
Pau. AM

DECEMBER en plein aire-

 Ho Ho Ho! Aloha, aloha, Artists! Well, December can be a very busy month for many-- there's open studios, wonderful shows, familial obligations, holidays, and all kinds of traffic!! As you know the first Thursday of each month begin at Wai'uli Beach Park, aka Leleiwi. Our December weather so far has been cloudy with a bit of light rain now and then-- but down at Keakaha, there has been ample sunshine, and one hardly notices the passing showers.  Hopefully you'll have some time this Thursday to drop by and create a beach side study. Schedule is posted, and Happy Holidays to you all!

SCHEDULE-  every Thursday, anytime sunrise to sunset--
5-WAI'ULI BEACH PARK- Keaukaha, Hilo. Drive along Kalaniana'ole Ave. to the beach park just before Richardson's. You'll notice a large parking area, and 5 pavilions.. this is the spot. Facilities.
12-PAPAIKOU MILL- Papaikou. From Hilo, use the Belt Hwy towards Hamakua about 7.5, turn makai at Pinky's Store on Mill Rd. Drive all the way to the very bottom, a gate will be on your right. You'll have to get out and walk thru the pedestrian gate, then open the gate for your auto. The gate is
going to "faked locked", so it will appear to be locked, but it isn't. Drive forward and park with aloha. Long views, beach trail, coastal views, plenty of green and ocean-- it's very lovely. Thank You David Terry for hosting another plein aire date for the group.  Facilities.
19-BABY BEACH- Keaukaha, HIlo. From Hilo- Kalaniana'ole Ave to Onekahakaha Rd. Turn makai, then take your first left, on Apapane Rd. The next turn is makai (right), onto Lihikai Rd. Go the bottom, you will see a yellow pipe gate. Turn in, find parking. Gorgeous gorgeous. Beach is wonderful and drastically changes with tides and large winter surf. Love it. No facilities.
26-HAKALAU BEACH PARK- Hakalau, Hamakua- From Hilo, take Belt Hwy north about 11.5 miles or so. It's just past Honomu. You will see a road "Old Mamalahoa Hwy", turn right, towards the sea. Follow the road down to the valley bottom. You have to drive thru a small part of the stream, not a good idea if it's rushing. Make your choice when you see it. Most of the time it's really not a big deal. No faciities. Lua Available. 

PAU. with aloha, Amy Markham (thanks for reading this blog!)     

NOVEMBER 2013 en Plein Aire/Windward side

ALOHA ARTISTS!
ALOHA NOVEMBER!
 Well, I thought I was blocked out of this site! I couldn't access it for a few days, and I was stumped! I felt so bad about letting you guys down, that I started to build a new blog at another free blog site... but somehow, I was able to finally access this one.  So we're good to go! If I have any future problems and decide to move the blog, Ms. Leslie Sears will let everyone know the new address via her monthly email.  I will try to message the PAAOHI FOLLOWERS. But for now, we're here.  November is a tricky month for plein air. The weather patterns are switching to the wet-season- trade-wind stuff. We can expect on and off rain, wind, and some really beautiful days too. The waves on the North and East sides pick up, and occasionally we get snow on the mountain tops. The yin and yang of Hawai'i wet season. The last Thursday of Nov, is the 28th, Thanksgiving Day. A paint site has not been scheduled, but if you have the time in the morning, it's a great way to spend some quiet time before feasting.  We usually paint downtown at the bottom of Haili St.  The streets are wonderfully empty of everyone, and no cars! You can easily do street scenes, and architectural studies. Leslie decided to not include a Thanksgiving Paint day, but if you're up for it, it's always a fun time. Paint while the bird roasts.
Eat Later. Paint now.
   As an aside, Leslie let me know that I have (more than once!), led painters astray by writing the paint site wrongly. Ya know, close but no cigar. I am so sorry! I must not have been fully reading her directions, and making assumptions by just skimming..... or whatever, but I will do my best to make sure that doesn't happen again... I truely hope I did not mess up anyone's painting experience....  Any way, here's November's schedule---

NOVEMBER  --every Thursday, from sunrise to sunset--
7-WAI'ULI- Hilo, Keaukaha. From Hilo, Kalaniana'ole Ave to the park just before Richardson's Beach Park. Great Pavilions out of the elements, wonderful views, facilities available.
14- ALA HEIAU-  Puna, Paradise Park Subdivision- Take Maku'u Drive all the way to the very bottom, turn right. Drive to the end. Do not block the beach assess roads for the fisher-people. No facilities. Gorgeous, dramatic,  and a favorite.
21-CARLSMITH BEACH PARK- Hilo, Keaukaha. From Hilo, take Kalanianaole Ave. to Carlsmith Beach Park. It is also known as "4 Mile". Large rolling lawn and great vistas... pools of water and lovely colors in the shallows.  Facilities.
28-THANKSGIVING- Only if you want to--- Hilo.. Downtown, at the bottom of Haili St. No cars, no people, just little Hilo all quiet and waiting to be painted...... :) Happy Thanksgiving!

THANKS LESLIE!
pau.. (for now.. will post the rest when I know it-)     AM

OCTOBER en plein aire

Aloha Artists, Aloha October!!  As I sit and write, a pretty little windward squall has moved across Hilo Bay, and is softly spattering rain on my rooftop and garden. I miss rain when we have gorgeous sunshine for weeks on end. A sunny day is lovely, but there's nothing like a rainy day to soothe all the stress and hustle of everyday life... it all just seems to wash away.  
 Every First Thursday of each month we meet at Wai'uli Beach Park in Keaukaha. If I haven't posted the schedule by then, you'll always know where we'll start the month. Located along the shoreline just outside of Hilo proper, it was once known as Lele'iwi Beach Park. The local community noticed that Lele'iwi was not the traditional name, but one chosen by the county parks dep't. So a few years ago, the community rallied together to get the name Wai'uli reinstated. (An area known as Lele'iwi is actually located around the bend towards King's Landing, which has it's own misnomer challenges.)
 This month's schedule gives us some locations outside of Hilo... which is always both a challenge and a refreshing change. It is early enough in the month to hook up with other painters to arrange a carpool if you'd like. It's fun to do, and I find I always stay longer if I'm carpooling. I think it's a camaraderie thing.

OCTOBER SCHEDULE- Every Thursday, from Sunrise to Sunset, and in between too
3- Wai'uli (pau already)
10-KAMA'ILI/OPIHIKAO- We were there in Sept, but not everyone could make it, so we'll do again.. and cuz it's so gorgeous!! From the top of Opikikao Rd. drive to the bottom (approx. 4 miles), it'll end at The Red Road. Turn Left, towards Kapoho. The location is about a 1/4 mile down the road, ocean side, just past the road by-pass.  You'll notice a large open area, forever ocean, loads of old trees, and painters tucked along the cliffs. Besides spectacular ocean and landscape views, the road itself it's a wonderful composition, winding along the coast dotted with coconut and mango trees. No facilities.
17-BAYFRONT CANOE LANDING- On Hilo Bay. Located off the section of old hwy section on Bay Front, now blocked for Park users only. Great town views, inspiring colorful canoes, halau, coconut trees growing on the beach and a pretty black sand shoreline. Facilities, parking. 
24-NEWSECTION OF SADDLE RD.-No specific location is given, if an update is sent out, I'll add it. So far, all that I know is that it'll be midway along the "newest" section, known as Daniel Inoye Hwy. Roomy shoulders, and long sweeping views. And it's the new section, we need to get to know it. See you there-- where ever it ends up being.. You'll know when you're there because you'll see the painters bundled up against the wind, their easels weighted down with rocks. No facilities.
31- (Happy Halloween!) WAI'LOA RIVER MOUTH/BOAT LANDING-another "redo". Just across the Hwy from Suisan, we'll be at the small boat harbor. From the Hwy, turn onto Manono St, and then into the small boat harbor parking lot. It's behind the old Iron Works building. I usually set up under a large old monkey pod tree in the back, behind a shed along the river.  The heat can be brutal in the parking lot, so bring an umbrella or a hat, if that's where you're planning on setting up. Facilities available.

SEPTEMBER en PLEIN AIRE

Aloha Artists, Aloha September!
 Things calm down at the seashore once September gets into it's flow, and we're on a roll.
The children are back in school, and that means more room for artists to hang on the shoreline, brush in hand, easel before us. So seize the day, capture the moment, smell the coffee, drink the wine, paint me a picture--         :)

SEPTEMBER SCHEDULE- every Thursday, sunrise to sunset or whatever you got-- 

5- WAI'ULI BEACH PARK-Hilo, Keaukaha.  From Hilo, take Kalaniana'ole Ave almost
to Richardson's Beach Park. Wai'uli is just Hilo side of Richardson's, and used to be called Leleiwi. Lrg. parking area, facilities, pavilions, and beautiful views. Where we catch up
with each other, every first Thursday of each month. 

12-HILO BAY BREAKWATER/Radio Bay- Hilo,Keaukaha- From Hilo drive Kalaniana'ole Ave.to just past the Gas Co. Take the makai side dirt road marked "beach access".. it is just before the large white aquaculture tents. Follow that road down, it's not too bumpy. I do it in my rather low sedan easily. The painters just grab the shade to the left or right, or most often go to the canoe landing site to the left. You'll see it. Calm lagoon, bustling waves, across the bay views-- and shipping vessels.Shade.  No facilities. Lua available. 

19-REEDS BAY- Hilo, Off of Banyan Drive towards The Pond's restaurant. Reeds Bay was recently renovated from a simple roadside cove, to a really lovely beach park with lua 
and picnic areas. Pretty views of sailboats and little hide-aways. Shade. Facilities & lua.

26 -WAI'LOA BOAT LANDING- Hilo, Wailoa River mouth-- from Hilo take Kamehameha Ave over the Suisan Bridge and take the first right turn, Manono St. You will see the small boats on the right side, turn into the parking area. Restrooms and water. Very Hot, bring an umbrella. 
pau. Hope to see you out there!

AUGUST en plein aire

Aloha Artists, Aloha August!
 A beautiful new month of possibilities and promise of gorgeous weather for outside painting...... what a lovely time of year!  August offers long days of strong sunshine and light trade winds. Daylight lingers longer, granting us a bit more painting bliss....... Lavender hour-- so nice.
However, it is hurricane season-- so there's always that in the mix too.  Wind, rain, humidity. Most schools begin session in the first and second weeks of August, so we can also expect to have some room to move at the seashore. Always a good thing.
 First Friday is going to be a busy one this month in downtown Hilo. EHCC, Wailoa Art Center, and One Gallery will all be hosting art centered events-- introducing new works, and a chance to mix with artists, collectors, and merriment-- 

SCHEDULE- every Thursday. Show up when you can, sunrise to sunset. 
1- WAI'ULI BEACH PARK- Hilo, Keaukaha- Kalaniana'ole Rd to Wai'uli (just before Richardson's). Large parking area, facilities, pavilions-- lovely lovely views.
8-PAPA'IKOU VALLEY- Private property/Hilo- Makai property, beach access/Fellow Artist David Terry is the caretaker of this property. We always have a great day at private locations, Thank you David and Francesca for your aloha!   Facilities available. From Hilo take Hwy. 19 to Pinky's Store. Turn makai on Mill Road. Follow this small little road down to the bottom. There's a main gate on the right hand side,  you will have to unlatch it from the inside. After you drive through the gate, please re-latch it. Drive forward and grab a parking slot. There used to be an old sugar mill there, so it's an interesting location, with old structures, a small river, a beach and a beautiful little valley.
15- KING'S LANDING- "Pumaile", Keaukaha, Hilo- Kalaniana'ole Rd to the very bottom, just past Richardson's Beach Park. An open gate (yellow) marks the entrance. Drive to the end the road, taking the section along the shoreline. We'll be located under the shade trees and along the shore.
22-OPIHIKA'O- Lower Puna- From the Pahoa-Kalapana Hwy, turn left onto Kama'ili Rd. (Opihikao)- Drive with caution to the bottom (4.5miles). Turn left at the bottom stop sign-- onto the "Red Road". About 1/4 mile down you will notice a by pass built around "the old road"... We'll be in this area, along the shore. Fabulous tree lined shore line.. beautiful Red Road views...
25-Paradise Park Sea cliffs- Puna- From Hilo, take the Kea'au-Pahoa Rd to Makuu Drive, turn makai.  Follow this road to the bottom, and turn right at Beach Rd. Drive the the "end" of this road (where it's fallen into the sea). Park with others in mind...
    ....PAU :)     AM