(For a more complete listing of events, go to KONAWEB's Big Island Events Calendar).

January 10, 2009
DIVINE MUSIC OF ANCIENT INDIA CONCERT - PUNA
A sarod and sarangi concert presented by the Indian Classical Music Circle of Hawaii. Danny Birch, sarod player extraordinaire, disciple of the Royal Court Musicians for the Maharaja of Nepal, and Parashuram Bhandadari, sarangi master from Nepal. Time: 7 pm at Ramashala, between Kalapana and Kapoho. Cost: $18/$15 seniors. For more information, call 808/965-1053 or email icmchawaii@gmail.com or visit www.indianclassicalmusichawaii.com

January 13, 2009
FENG SHUI PROGRAM/PRESENTATION - KONA PUBLIC LIBRARY
How do mauka and makai relate to yin and yang? How does an ocean or mountain view affect you? What should you avoid about the "tropical look" in furniture? What tropical plants invite good energy and which ones repel it? How long should you keep a lei? The answers to these and other questions may be found in the ancient Chinese art of placement, or "feng shui". Join author Clear Englebert for a discussion of these and other topics covered in his new book, "Feng Shui for Hawaii" at the Kailua-Kona Library on Tuesday, January 13, at 5:30 pm. Library programs are free and open to the public. Please call the library at 327-4327 for further information or ten days in advance if you need a sign language interpreter or other special accommodation. For more information, call 328-0203, email zundapp250@aol.com or visit www.geocities.com/konalibraries

January 13, 2008
KONA TOWN MEETING - OLD AIRPORT BEACH PARK, KAILUA-KONA
West Hawaii State Representatives Town Meeting, 6 PM to 8:00 PM at Makaeo Events Pavilion at the Old Airport Beach Park. The Hawaii State Legislature convenes on January 21, 2009. West Hawaii State Legislators Cindy Evans, Josh Green and Denny Coffman will present their proposed legislation and give an update on important issues in this year's legislative session. They will also answer questions and accept input from the local community. Kona Town Meetings are presented by Community Enterprises, a non-partisan, non-profit organization, to provide vital information on community concerns to Kona citizens. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Fred Housel at 331-8602 or email Fred@kieleokona.com

January 16, 17 & 18, 2009
2009 IPU CULTURAL FESTIVAL - KEAUHOU
Free to the public. 9AM to 5 PM at Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort. Classes in Hawaiian ipu (gourd) decorating, ko'ko (knotted ipu carrier), along with a variety of mainland gourd decorating techniques. Keoki Kahumoku, "Hawai'i's only musical artist to be a part of 4 Hawaiian Grammy award winning albums", will perform on Sat. the 17th, from 1-3 PM in the grassy area outside of the festival. There will be kapa makers, lau hala and coconut weavers, basket makers, ipu artists, exhibits and aloha. Presented by Ipu Lani, Inc & Hawaii Gourd Society. Sponsors include County of Hawaii/CPEP, the Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort, HTA and CNHA. For more information, call 808 937-4308, email outtayourgourd@gmail.com or visit www.hawaiigourdsociety.com

January 21, 2008
CAROUSEL OF CARE - KEAUHOU
The 10th annual Carousel of Care, a chance for local caregivers to come together for education, nourishment, pampering and more. The event which at 7:30 a.m., will feature keynote speaker, George Harrison, pharmacist, and will include a resource fair and presentations on "The Culture of Caregiving" and “Supporting Your Family’s Mental Health". Later sessions will include "Home Care Tips", "Advanced Health Care Directives" and "Adaptive Equipment for the Home", as well as self-care stations and door prizes. The event is sponsored by the Hawaii Community Caregivers Network, Hospice of Kona and the Hawaii County Office of Aging. The fee, which includes lunch, is $10 for family caregivers and $25 for all others. For more information, call 327-3597 or visit www.hawaiicaregivers.org

January 24, 2009
SKEA ARTS & MORE AUCTION - KEALAKEKUA
This is the Society for Kona's Art & Education's (SKEA) major fundraising event for the year and will be held from 5:30PM to 9:00PM at Christ Episcopal Church in Kealakekua. There will be a silent auction as well as a live auction and onolicious heavy pupus. Wine and beer will available. While many auctions feature goods and services, the SKEA auction is featuring performances and activities by some of the artists that give South Kona its unique flavor. Ellen Crocker, a noted artist and teacher, has donated her services to teach a Sumi-e class in the winning bidder's home. Arnie Rabin, current president of the Aloha Magic Club is donating a magic performance. Smita Patel will serve a scrumptious Indian dinner in a lucky winner's home. With a focus on South Kona, the Society for Konaës Education and Art serves the Hawai'i Island community by providing arts and educational opportunities through programs, projects, and events which enhance their lives. SKEA is housed in the historic Japanese School in Honaunau. The Art of Learning takes the arts into the public schools. SKEA's programs are utilized by teachers in Honaunau, Hoíokena and Konawaena to provide most of the art education in those schools. Teaching artists visit the schools, providing lessons in the arts; they also work with the school teachers to integrate the arts into their science, language arts, math, and social studies programs. Last year, that project involved over 1000 students in the South Kona public schools. The Art of Community programs include on-site art camps for kids; these take place during school vacation periods. SKEA is also central to the South Kona community by providing a space for ongoing classes such as Polynesian dance, tai chi, 'ukulele, and Pilates. Tickets for the event are $50.00 and are available through the SKEA office (328-9392), at Patel's Gas Station in Honaunau and other South Kona retailers. For more information, call 328-2432, email nora@architeuthis-dux.org or visit www.skea.org

January 31, 2009
COMMUNITY SING WITH KATE MUNGER - ANNA RANCH, WAIMEA
Big Island Threshold Choir hosts an evening of relaxed, heart opening singing let by Kate Munger, founder of Threshold Choirs. Threshold Choirs honor the ancient tradition of singing at the bedside of people struggling - some with living, some with dying. Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm at Anna Ranch Tea House, Waimea. Free to the public. Calabash donations accepted. For information call: 808-885-3855, email catrinkah@gmail.com or visit www.thresholdchoir.org