Artists from Japan, Maui and Kauai to turn ice blocks into masterpieces

Master carver Sean Kaumeheiwa of Maui transforms his ice block into a marlin at last year’s ice sculpting expo at Kukui Grove Center.

Master carver Sean Kaumeheiwa of Maui transforms his ice block into a marlin at last year’s ice sculpting expo at Kukui Grove Center.

Kukui Grove Center presents the 5th Annual International Holiday Ice Sculpting Expo on Friday, November 8 at 6 p.m. Five artists from Japan, Maui and Kaua`i will turn 300-pound blocks of ice into intricate pieces of artwork.

This freestyle ice-carving exhibition will include master carvers Wallace Nishimura of Kauaʻi, Kazuo Yamanoue and Sean Kaumeheiwa of Maui, and Kenji Kagei and Mitsuyuki from Japan.

“Kukui Grove’s annual ice sculpting event is our special way of kicking off the holiday season,” said marketing manager Jonell Kaohelauli`i. “Once we see the ice chips and shavings fly, we know, the holidays are here!”

The ice art will be on display throughout the rest of the evening, which will consist of Aloha Friday entertainment with Kapa’a Middle School Choir and Ukulele Band at 7 p.m. and late night shopping and dining hours until 9 p.m.

The visiting sculptors will head to the Valley Isle the following day for the International Ice Sculpting Exhibition and Competition where sculptors will compete for prize money.

This free event helps kick off Kukui Grove Center’s full lineup of holiday festivities including the following:
• Saturday, November 16 – Color Relay Extravaganza 7 a.m., Holiday Craft Fair 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. A fundraiser for Kapa`a Middle School Choir & Ukulele Band.
• Friday, November 22 – Aloha Friday entertainment with Natural Harmony
• Friday November 22-24 – Barbizon Performing Arts School Registration and Information

• Saturday, November 23, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. – HMSA Health Fair
• Friday, November 29, midnight – Black Friday Party!

11 a.m. –  Keiki Show featuring the Showtime Characters
7 p.m. – Aloha Friday entertainment with Tamatea Nui O Kaua`i
• Saturday, November 30, 4 p.m. – 20th Annual Kauai Christmas Parade

ONGOING EVENTS

• Every Monday, 3 p.m. at the Kmart parking lot (Garden Side) – Monday Market
• Every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month, 11 a.m. at Kukui Grove Center Stage – Toddler Thursdays
• Friday Nights at The Jam Room, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

For more information visit www.kukuigrovecenter.com. Or find Kukui Grove on Twitter (www.twitter.com/kukuigrove) or Facebook www.facebook.com/kukuigrovecenter).

Kukui Grove Center is the Garden Isle’s regional mall, showcasing over 60 shops and restaurants. The open-air complex that is set on nearly 50 acres and its central Līhu‘e location allows both local residents and visiting guests to enjoy a unique, and comfortable shopping experience plus weekly events, including Aloha Friday Entertainment and local farmers Monday Market. For more information, call (808) 245-7784, or visit www.kukuigrovecenter.com.