East Hawai'i Cultural Center (EHCC) Vice-Chair Carol Walker discussed the efforts the non-profit organization has made for the inclusion of children in arts and culture activities, which include various programs, donations and volunteer efforts.
“East Hawai‘i Cultural Center holds a special place in our community's history,” Walker said. “We’re part of the National Register of Historic Places.”
The center’s main building, located across from Kalakaua Park where the former Hilo Police Station once stood in Downtown, houses a black box theater, a 30-cubic-foot kiln,and a Javanese bronze gong orchestra. The SPACE, a concept store can also be found at the center. The establishment is managed by a group of volunteers, who have maintained the center’s mission to support arts and culture in the Hilo community for more than five decades.
“With this physical infrastructure and the talented people who work with us, we are uniquely positioned to offer a platform for creative expression on an inclusive basis to everyone in the community,” Walker said.
EHCC fulfills its mission by offering various programs and events throughout the year to showcase the area’s culture, such as The Trash Art Show and Young At Art exhibitions, and community theatrical productions. Though the pandemic has limited scheduling, children's summer camps are also offered, as well as after-school classes and pop-up workshops.
“We are fortunate that generous donors have continued to support us even in these challenging times,” Walker said. “But we miss having opportunities to carry out our mission by holding in-person activities such as theatrical performances and classes for keiki. Those aren’t fundraising activities, but when we can fully engage with the community it helps us to build support.“
Other programs generated the Youth Arts Series, the Kahua 'Elua Theatre, Gamelan of the Molten Blossom and other presentations featuring local and global artists. Its most recent exhibition is Thresholds by Bob Danhieux Douglas, showcasing monoprints based on traditional Japanese woodblock, Mokuhanga style printing that reflects on Douglas’s experience with loneliness amid the pandemic. It began earlier this month and will run through Friday, May 28.
“We encourage people to become members and support our work while receiving discounts on our programs,” Walker said. “Finally, we welcome volunteers, who can serve as gallery sitters and help with events. We’d also love to chat with people who have special skills they’d like to use on behalf of EHCC, whether to assist in our social media management, publicity, grant writing, development or other areas.”