And the winner is …

Finalists in Diamond Bakery’s “Make and Bake” contest showed up on Saturday morning at Ala Moana Center Stage for the final judging of their original recipe (featuring Diamond Bakery products) and “cracker sculpture”.  The sculptures were very creative … and I can only guess that the recipes were great since judges were the only ones tasting them.

After sampling all of the entries and reviewing all of the sculptures, the  winner was ‘Noah’s Ark – made primarily of graham and animal crackers:

1st Place Winner

The Yoshida’s … first place winners with (l-f) Devon Nekoba – emcee and judges Lynn Cook, Melissa Chang, Ron Villoria, Brent Kunimoto (President of Diamond Bakery) and Susan Au Doyle (Exec. Director of Aloha United Way).  The prize was a very generous $1,500 cash plus one year supply of Diamond Bakery products valued at $500.

The event was open to the public.

Profits from 3-month’s of Diamond Bakery cracker sales were presented to Aloha United Way.

Diamond Bakery’s mission is sharing heart-warming Aloha and their “Make and Bake” campaign was just one of the many community fundraising programs they have throughout the year.

Made fresh in Hawaii – DIAMOND BAKERY

Took a quick tour a couple of weeks ago of the Diamond Bakery factory. Not sure if you know but it’s a local bakery specializing in crackers and cookies that got its start in 1921 by three friends. There is a great story here and you can read about it at www.diamondbakery.com.

The factory is pretty compact – all in one warehouse. Diamond Bakery uses continues feed, direct fired ovens for their popular crackers and cookies but workers hand-select, weigh and pack each box to ensure quality and unbroken product.

Diamond Bakery makes Graham, Salty, Saloon Pilot, Royal Creem (my personal favorite) and Soda Crackers. They also make cookies including animal crackers (below).

They have been working with the Waikiki Aquarium on a few educational projects (makes sense since some of the crackers are shaped like fish).

Here’s the Royal Creems assembly line – up close

Another view …

Ever wonder why you’ll never find cracked cackers in the pack … here’s why … workers check for cracked Creems …

Exterior of the bakery – tucked away in the Kalihi area.

Escape to Bishop Museum this summer

This summer, Bishop Museum has lined up an incredible array of historical exhibitions that will excite, educate, and entertain the entire family!

With so much going on at Bishop Museum, you will want to mark your calendar with the following events and plan to visit several times this summer.  It will be well worth your time.



E Kū Ana Ka Paia:  Unification, Responsibility, and the Ku Images

Now – October 4^th, Hawaiian Hall and J.M. Long Gallery

Bishop Museum, the British Museum, and the Peabody Essex Museum are partnering to bring together the three largest Kū images in the world for a historic exhibition this summer.  It will be the first time in over 160 years that three traditional Kū images of this size and magnitude will be displayed alongside one another.


Surfing

Now – September 6^th, Castle Memorial Building

This exhibition provides a glimpse into the fascinating pasts of surfing, one of Hawai‘i’s gifts to the world.  The exhibit will feature archival images from Bishop Museum Archives along with historic surfboards from the Museum’s renowned collection of artifacts. Trace the historical transformation of surfing’s image through the centuries, from Polynesian myths of love to an account of an exotic “amusement” that presented nothing but “horror & destruction,” as well as recollections of surfing as a character-building activity and sometimes the test of one’s romantic interest.



Still Present Pasts:  Korean Americans and the “Forgotten War”

June 26^th – September 12^th, Castle Memorial Building

This is a multi-media exhibit of installation and performance art, documentary film and archival photographs, and oral histories that explores memories and legacies of the Korean War.

Embodying life stories of ordinary Korean Americans who experienced the war, the exhibit is a public space of remembering that breaks the silence about a tragic episode in U.S. and Korean history.



Moonlight Mele

July 3^rd 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.; Café Pulama and the Great Lawn

Advance tickets $20 general admission, $15 Bishop Museum Members and Military with valid ID.  General tickets, day-of-event, $25.

This Moonlight Mele will feature the Brothers Cazimero and Kaumaka‘iwa Kanaka‘ole; Cyril Pahinui and Kaiholu; with performances by Andrea Torres and Samadhi Hawai‘i.  There will be a Night Arts Market where event-goers will have the opportunity to purchase Hawaiian crafts and see demonstrations by the artisans.


12^th Annual Bernice Pauahi Bishop Awards Dinner

July 17^th 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.  Great Lawn

Rare and extraordinary items will be available for auction at this annual fundraiser that honors two community members for their outstanding leadership and support of Bishop Museum.  One person will receive the Charles Reed Bishop Medal, an award that exemplifies the spirit of Mr. Bishop’s philanthropic vision.  The other will be awarded the Robert J. Pfeiffer Medial for civic leadership.  Award-winning musician, Willy K. will be performing that evening as well as Merrie Monarch’s winning hālau, Ke Kai O Kahiki.  For ticket information call (808) 848-4170.  Note:  Museum closes to the public at 3:00 p.m. for event preparation.


Moonlight Mele

August 7^th 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.; Café Pulama and the Great Lawn

Advance tickets $20 general admission, $15 Bishop Museum Members and Military with valid ID.  General tickets, day-of-event, $25.

The final summer concert series will be headlined by Na Palapalai & George Kahumoku (photo by Shane Tegarden), supported by the Royal Hawaiian Band.  There will also be performances by Taimane Gardner, Slack key extraordinaire Ozzie Kotani, and the Galliard String Quartet.  The theme of the evening will highlight songs from Hawai‘i’s monarchs.





More detailed information of all of Bishop Museum events and programs is available at www.bishopmuseum.org or in Ka‘Elele, the journal of Bishop Museum.  Please note that this is subject to change.

Bishop Museum is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; closed on Tuesdays.  For more details, please visit www.bishopmuseum.org or call (808) 847-3511.