Interisland Terminal is proud to announce that we are re-introducing our documentary film series "Manufacturing Reality". The series will be housed in a micro-cinema setting at the R&D bookstore and feature a R&D-related twist. Admission to each film, to be presented on the first thursday of every month, will also include a chance to win a book from the R&D library.

We're kicking off the film series in February with the inspiring story of the husband-and-wife team of Charles and Ray Eames, widely regarded as America’s most important designers. Perhaps best remembered for their mid-century plywood and fiberglass furniture, the Eames Office also created a mind-bending variety of other products, from splints for wounded military during World War II, to photography, interiors, multi-media exhibits, graphics, games, films and toys. But their personal lives and influence on significant events in American life – from the development of modernism, to the rise of the computer age – has been less widely understood. Narrated by James Franco, Eames: The Architect and the Painter is the first film since their death dedicated to these creative geniuses and their work.

We'll also raffle off a copy of The Story of Eames Furniture, a very fine two-volume set celebrating the couple's work.

Friday – Sunday / Jan27-29 / Free / Map

The Global Game Jam (GGJ) is the world’s largest game jam event occurring annually in late January. GGJ brings together thousands of game enthusiasts participating through many local jams around the world. GGJ is a project of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA).

Developing games is not an activity limited to coders or 3D jockeys (although, they are quite essential). 2D artists, graphic and interface designers, sound engineers, etc are not only welcome, but in huge demand for a successful jam. If you’re one of these people, we’d love to have you participate! And since game development is not limited to digital games, anyone with an interest can come in to design a board game, card game, or even new sport.

Register for the Event on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/events/241486225917801/
More information on Registration: http://globalgamejam.org/wiki/how-register-ggj-2012

The local chapter of the IGDA will also be hosting a series of workshops leading up to the event. Please email gorm@lai.as to RSVP or for more information.

Monday / Jan9 / 7:00pm / Free / Map

Join Kirk Malanchuk of 8 Inc. and Russ Ogi, Independent 3D Printing Consultant to learn how architects and contractors are benefiting from the strategic use of a green process called 3D printing. 3D printing can produce physical models in white, for use as massing models, or in full color for use in material studies. These physical models are produced quickly, accurately and inexpensively directly from 3D CAD, BIM and other digital data. The most successful architectural firms from around the world both large and small, have adopted 3D printing as a critical part of the design process for proposals, site planning, design studies and construction troubleshooting. It has been used for both interior and exterior design.

The presentation to start at 7p January 9th 2012 at R&D, 691 Auahi St St. Honolulu, HI 96813. You are welcome to bring a brown bag dinner. The session is free of charge and you are welcome to walk in, however, seating is limited. If you RSVP to russogi333@gmail.com by January 5, 2012 we will reserve a seat for you.

Here is an article on designbuild-network.com that highlights how firms boost their efficiency with 3D printing.

http://www.designbuild-network.com/features/feature75564/

Also, check out this link to a video narrated by acclaimed architect, Cesar Pelli as he discusses the importance of physical models in architectural design and 3D printing’s role in creating these models.

Pelli on Models from Architect’s Newspaper on Vimeo.

Kirk Malanchuk is a designer at Eight Inc., An architecture firm with offices in Honolulu, San Francisco, New York, London, Singapore, and Tokyo. He has worked on educational, retail, and office projects of various scales in Hawaii and the mainland US as well as globally in Canada and Asia.

Russ Ogi is an Independent 3D Printing Consultant with over 15 years experience in the technology community both in Hawaii and abroad. He has served 6 years as the Chief Operating Officer for RAPID Technology LLC, a Honolulu based rapid prototyping dealership and service provider. He is experienced in all aspects of the 3D printing industry from equipment sales and servicing to 3D CAD design, the operation of 3D printing equipment and complex model making.

A 3D technology jam session for absolute novices

Friday / Nov18 / 7:00pm / Free / Map

Reserve a spot

NO PREVIOUS PROGRAMMING EXPERIENCE REQUIRED.

Workshop – Nov 17 – Hicapacity / box jelly

We are having a free, Kinect workshop for artists, designer, and creative coders. You show up with a computer and we’ll get you everything you need to start building interactive experiences with the Kinect. That’s right, we’ll set you up with the software tools and know-how to produce your very own depth-sensing application.

DEMO NIGHT- Nov 18 – R&D / 6PM

If you just want to sit back and take it all in, then skip the workshop and check out the demo night celebration! The day after the workshop, anyone interested will give short lightning talks on their workshop projects. In addition, we’ll be previewing two interactive installations which will be shown at the Honolulu Academy of Arts’ November Bank of Hawaii Family Sunday (http://www.honoluluacademy.org/events/bank_of_hawaii_sunday/12120-life_3d).

Proposed Schedule:
Thursday, Nov 17th – Workshop @ The Box Jelly
– Kinect / 3D Interactive Programming overview
– software install
– create your own “hello world” application
(Think mini-Aaron Koblin’s Radiohead, House of Cards video! http://code.google.com/creative/radiohead/ and http://www.aaronkoblin.com/work/rh/index.html)
– design a project with help
– build it! (with help)

Friday, Nov 18th – Demo Night @ Interisland Terminal R/D
– short, lightning talk presentations (< 4 min each) on the workshop projects
– preview demonstration of HAA BoH Family Sunday installations
– free play with installations (audience participation) and socializing

You do not have to attend one event to attend the other. But we promise they will all be fun, social, and kid friendly. Please email me at kyleoba@gmail.com if you have any questions.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who put their money on the line to make R&D a reality:

Andrew Cho, Michael Kang, Karen Lin, Mark Enomoto, jason & maile nakano, Charles Lin, Hiroshi Mori. Justin Ip, Shinae Yoon, Eliisa Salmi-Saslaw, Bumatay Picayo family, Erika Enomoto, sean shodahl, Joshua Nye, Lori Admiral, Michelle Ann Carino,Minette Ferrer, Jay Hubert, Makana, Knapp Yamamoto, Anna Page, Kristen Truempy, AUBREY HAWK, Marla Momi Musick, Tanuj Chopra, Jason Takeuchi, Lian Eoyang, Henry Mochida, Jared I. Kuroiwa, brian beaty ,Rodrigo Pascual, Raina, Eight Inc, Eric, Joshua Lake, Stephanie Chang, susan Shea, Mike Douglass, Jennifer Meleana, Aaron Bush, john sweeney, Fran Gendrano & Shannon Ball, Molly Watanabe, Janice-Renee Yoshioka, Maria Trevino, Cathy Kawano-Ching, Joseph & Erin Boll, Drew Snyder, Mayumi Hara, Keo Woolford, Kenny Lee, Ragnar Carlson, Candice Tse, Roger Fan, Miya Tsukazaki, Jeremy Niwa, Philip Chung, Lindsey Ozawa, Jaimey Hamilton, Estee, Robert Saarnio, Christine Koroki, Gary Chou, Thorben Wuttke, Leo Chiang, Garry Tan, Primary Key Technologies, Inc., Kent Matsuoka, Tyler McMahon, Karin Chien, The Chiangs, Aaron Woolfolk, Oanh Ly, Zachary, Toering, christa wittmier, Beth McGregor, Gerard & Mericia Elmore, Jerry koizumi US, Brian Watanabe, Emily Slota, Annie Koh, Evan Nagle, Lisa Yamada, Gida Snyder, Christina Riechers, Mary Nguyen, Brad Baris, Bryan Butteling, Collin Chang, Sat Freedman, Humanhand, Vera Zambonelli, Maxine Burkett, Bob Schafer, Lynne Halevi, Crystal Chen, Ara Laylo, Jocelyn Leavitt, Kilikina Mahi, robert mcgee, Eric Nakagawa, Suyin and Jeff Hao, Noah Kutaka, Jason Dow, Gaye Chan, Anna Harmon, Richard Sevilla, Island Pacific Energy, Kelli Heath Cruz, Amber McClure, Shirley Thompson, Kamele Eskaran, Dane Neves, Aaron Yamasato, Wayne Ward, Victor Bennet, MGA Architecture, Rito Trevino, The Box Jelly, Brett W Wagner, Gary Saito Jr, Christopher Yogi, Kawika Kanae, Kimberly Oi

If weather patterns were people then Nalani Kanaka‘ole would be the rain. Ancient Hawaiians have a ‘ōlelo noe‘au (wise saying) about precipitation: ‘Ue ka lani, ola ka honua (When the heavens weep, the Earth lives). As a mother and kumu hula, Nalani echoes this sentiment. She is a well of knowledge in any and all things Hawaiiana. Like rain watering plants, Nalani is nurturer who grows the Hawaiian culture in the students of Halau Kekuhi and son Kuha‘o Zane. Aunty Nalani also can bring the thunder and lightning– hula demands discipline and dedication, especially concerning the related arts to the dance.

She uses traditional design processes, like ‘ohe kapala (bamboo printmaking), to create breathtaking pieces. On Saturday night, for the ITO: Interisland Travelwrights event, Nalani Kanaka‘ole speaks about the giant sculpture that will surely leave its viewers astounded and asking questions. Attendants of the Saturday evening event– at the Parc Hotel from 5-7 p.m.– will have an opportunity to query Nalani about her inspiration of the sculpture.

Don’t sleep on this rare opportunity to hear one of Hawai‘i’s most artistic and intellectual minds expound on ‘ohe kapala, art, design and much more. Nalani Kanaka‘ole is going to make it rain this Saturday night. I hope you get the opportunity to see the rainbow with us.

DESIGN PROCESS in the Creative Life of the Kanaka’ole Zane ‘Ohana from Interisland Terminal on Vimeo.

ITO in the Creative Life of the Kanaka’ole Zane ‘Ohana from Interisland Terminal on Vimeo.

Check out this piece by writer Daniel Ito that focuses on the influence the ancient tradition has had on the Zane family. Especially amusing is the divide their son Kuha‘o feels between cultural family practices and coming of age in modern Hawai‘i, that anyone born/raised in here can relate to.

Stimulating Growth: Hula and its effect on a Nalani Kanaka‘ole, Sig and Kuha‘o Zane

By Daniel Ikaika Ito/Contrastmagazine.com

For Nalani Kanaka‘ole, Sig Zane and Kuha‘o, hula is like photosynthesis– a natural chemical reaction which stimulates growth and nourishes life. This Hawaiian dance/cultural practice has allowed their ‘ohana to thrive thoughout the years. Spiritually. Emotionally. Professionally. Hula is the carbon dioxide, water and sunlight of their family tree.

Nalani Kanaka‘ole is a kumu hula (hula teacher) of Halau o Kekuhi. Martial arts have dojos where practitioners train in a particular kind of combat. In the same vein, hula has halau where a certain style of dance is practiced. Halau o Kekuhi practices a style of hula called aiha’a, which literally means: To be low to the ground. It has been perpetuated for seven generations. While their art form is ancient, Nalani is widely known to incorporate contemporary ideas in order to evolve the Hawaiian culture.

“I think the school of hula that I come from is ongoing,” explains Nalani who is the third generation of modern kumu hula in Halau o Kekuhi. She is also a judge at the Merrie Monarch Festival. “It has dances that were choreographed 300 years ago and is kept in that form, but it doesnʻt mean that you cannot create on that same form or format. The thing about the school of hula that I come from is it’s ongoing and we do have volcanoes that happen now in this period, and mele (songs) that are written for that so I do incorporate that.”

Nalani, who is the daughter of legendary Hawaiian scholar and kumu hula Edith Kanakaole, says her approach as a kumu hula is holistic. She not only teaches Halau o Kekuhi dances and songs, but all of the related arts to hula.

“You need to walk the talk,” she says of being a hula teacher and an indigenous fine artist. “When [the students] start to design their ohe kapala (bamboo printmaking) and they make their own stories it becomes them at this time so that’s how I incoporate modern design.”

During this year’s Merrie Monarch Festival on Ho‘ike night, Nalani’s students are using ‘ohe kapala (bamboo printmaking) on kapa (bark cloth made from the wauke tree) for their regalia/costumes. This fabric is significant because it is made by modern practitoners like Aunty Marie McDonald and Dalani Tanahy, and it’s also an example of Nalani’s intergrated teaching style in Halau o Kekuhi.

“Usually my son does it on the computer better than he does on the bamboo,” jokes Nalani about Kuha‘o and ohe kapala. Kuha‘o dances with Halau o Kekuhi and is a widely recognized graphic designer. Both mother and son know that hula and the related arts are the foundation for Kuha‘o’s career.

“It’s all about the process, especially if you’re a designer,” says Nalani of her son’s work. Kuha‘o echoes his mother’s statement, attesting much of his professional success to creative processes he learned in Halau o Kekuhi.

“Learning all of that process definitely has a part into the graphic design process because I know how to achieve certain looks that I want to get and certain textures,” explains Kuha‘o. “If you can weave together the concepts that were already culturally practiced way back in the day then that just makes your Aloha shirt that much more relevant to the culture.”

Kuha‘o dances front and center when Halau o Kekuhi perfoms. This spot on stage is reserved for the most skilled dancers in the troupe. His place in the halau and family carries a lot of prestige and kuleana (responsibility). Kuha‘o is the only child of Nalani and Sig Zane.

“When you’re born into a hula family you have a choice or don’t have a choice– and most times you don’t have a choice,” says Nalani. “We tell the kids you have to own it in order for you to have it.”

As a kid Kuha‘o didn’t own it. He was actually over it for a long time. Kuha‘o shunned hula because of the social stigmas associated with the cultural practice. It’s widely– and falsely– believed that all men who dance hula are homosexual.

“I started late because I told my mom that hula was for mahu (homosexuals) and I caught cracks,” admits Kuha‘o who started dancing when he was eight. That was a long time ago, and he dispels the gay misconception of hula with every pretty girl dated.

“I wish more guys would dance hula because it would put you more in touch with your culture,” laments Kuha‘o.

His father, legendary Aloha wear designer Sig Zane, was immersed in Hawaiiana through hula as a member of Halau o Kekuhi. In addition, Sig and Nalani fell in love through this culutral practice, and conceived Kuha‘o. Aside from the family bonds that hula has brought Sig, it has also provided professional success. Sig Zane Designs is an Aloha wear staple for professionals, performers and everybody who values looking good in Hawai‘i.

More than financial gains, Sig’s work as a fashion designer is to share the Hawaiian culture. Like Sig Zane Designs Aloha wear, hula is also a cultural exchange. What Sig, Nalani and Kuha‘o bring to traditional fashion and art forms is a breath of fresh air and new energy.

“I think I’m very traditional,” says Sig Zane, “I’m very tough on keeping that mold I learned, but at the same time I’m definitely open to the new because I think that in that new we continue to attract other people to view and then they get to hear that story.”