Social Encore: Events For A Worthy Cause

BY JERMEL-LYNN QUILLOPO / Special to the Star-Advertiser

You can’t go wrong with attending a party that has great food, great entertainment and great people in the crowd. When a party supports a great cause, however, there is more meaning to the festivities.

Here are three events happening this weekend that all support worthy causes here in Hawaii.

‘First Thursdays’ Slam Poetry

Taylor Mali performs. (Courtesy photo)

Tonight at Fresh Cafe on Queen Street, “First Thursdays” will be filled with words of wisdom and artistry. The monthly event has helped keep the art of slam poetry alive in Hawaii. This month’s featured poet is New York native Taylor Mali, who got into slam poetry while studying creative writing and literature at Kansas State University; his professor suggested he try the art form.

“Slam poetry was a great way to put my drama school training with the love that I had of poetry together,” said Mali. “(Slam poetry) demystifies poetry. It helps spread the word in a way everyone can understand.”

The former president of Poetry Slam Inc. has performed on HBO and also won the jury prize for best solo performance at the 2001 Comedy Arts Festival. Some of his inspiration comes from being a teacher. He hopes that when people hear his work that they can view poetry from a different perspective and can also realize the power behind the art of spoken words.

One of Mali’s well-known pieces is, “What Teachers Make.” Mali created the “What Teachers Make pieces into a book which releases on march 29th.

“First Thursdays” starts at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2; poet sign-ups start at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $3 before 8:30 p.m. and $5 afterward; all ages are welcome.

Punahou Carnival

The Punahou Carnival returns this weekend. (Courtesy photo)

One of Hawaii’s prestigious private schools celebrates its 80th year of putting on one of the best carnivals in the state. The two-day Punahou Carnival dates back to 1932, when students used it as an event to help raise yearbook funds. The annual carnival is now a tradition, with proceeds going to help Puanahou’s financial aid program, which helps approximately 500 students. This year’s theme is “To Carnival and Beyond: A Futuristic Fantasy
.”

Throughout the year, donations are given to the school for the carnival’s white elephant tent, including gently used clothes, toys, books and more. If you are an antique collector, you may want to check out the “treasures” section of the tent to see if there is anything to take home. In addition, a new feature for 2012 is the “iCarnival Punahou Carnival” app created by senior Travis Le and junior Ezra Varady, which was designed to help enhance the carnival experience and provides general carnival information, parking information and prices for various food items and carnival rides.

The Punahou Carnival is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, and Saturday, Feb. 4. For more information, click here.

Garret Davis Fundraiser

Officer Garret Davis. (Courtesy HPD)

Honolulu Police Department officer Garret Davis died in the line of duty last month after he tried to help a stranded a couple on the east-bound lanes of the H-1 freeway. The Davis family wishes for California to be his final resting place, but the cost of funeral arrangements and other expenses are growing quickly.

Fellow HPD officers, who continue to wear a black stripe over their badges in tribute, wanted to honor Davis and his service to the state of Hawaii by arranging a fundraiser at the Waterfront at Aloha Tower Marketplace on Monday, Feb. 6 at 5 p.m. Tickets are $50 and include dinner by chef Chai Chaowasaree, along with entertainment by artists including the Makaha Sons, Ho’okena, and Del Beazley.

A portion of the proceeds from this event will help start a college fund for Davis’ three-year-old daughter, Mackenzie Rose.

For more information on how you can help, contact officer John Kim at john.kim.five0@gmail.com or visit http://www.facebook.com/events/272049262862856.
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Jermel-Lynn Quillopo is a multi-faceted, energetic individual with experience in both print and broadcast journalism. “Social Encore” aims to tell diverse stories about Hawaii’s food, events and people; share your tips with Jermel via email or follow her on Twitter.