News Release
September 27, 2008
HMSA Island Scene Festival offers healthy food, fun and festivities
Laura Lott
(808) 952-7566
laura_lott@hmsa.com
Several thousand families came to Kakaako Gateway Park today to participate in the
third annual HMSA Island Scene Festival. The festival celebrated health, fitness
and fun for the whole family, with Island Scene, Hawaii’s favorite
magazine. From keiki to kupuna, there was something for everyone, including lots
of delicious, locally grown produce.
The festival presented healthy cooking demonstrations, a farmers’ market,
food booths, health information, and entertainment throughout the day. A portion
of the event proceeds supported Lanakila Pacific’s Meals on Wheels Program.
Local chefs included Frank Chun and Alan Cabebe from Xpress Chefs, Jiva Segaran
from India Café, Michelle Yamaguchi from Umeke Market Natural Foods &
Deli, and Sharon Kobayashi from Kapiolani Community College. Under a large tent,
they prepared healthy dishes on stage and shared samples with the audience.
In addition to a rock climbing wall, the festival featured a Keiki Pavilion with
games, physical activities, a petting zoo, a Honolulu Fire Department truck, and
the TumbleBus. Kids and adults also participated in a fun watermelon-eating contest.
A variety of local groups provided entertainment, including the Polynesian Cultural
Center, Gee Yung International Martial Arts and Lion Dance Association, Zumba by
Joy Longfield, Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko Hawaii – Taiko, and Sugarland Farms
(sponsor of the watermelon contest).
Nearly 20 nonprofit organizations provided health information and advice, including
American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, Big Brothers Big Sisters
of Honolulu, Child and Family Services, Hawaii Children’s Cancer Foundation,
Kalihi-Palama Health Center, and Weight Watchers Hawaii.
The purpose of the HMSA Island Scene Festival was to encourage families to embrace
good health, fitness and fun, including learning how to eat a nutritious diet. Attendees
tasted a variety of healthy foods, and learned about locally grown produce and how
to include more of it in their diets. Families learned the many benefits of having
a healthy lifestyle.
The festival was part of HMSA’s eat healthy Campaign, a public
awareness campaign designed to encourage people to make smarter eating choices.
The multifaceted campaign provides positive messages to help Hawaii’s families
eat healthy. It features community events, family activities, and informative media
messages with practical nutritional advice. For more information on HMSA’s
eat healthy campaign, visit hmsa.com/eat.
The festival got its name from Island Scene magazine. It is published quarterly
at no cost to promote wellness and educate HMSA’s 700,000 members about health
and health care. This award-winning publication, launched in 1992, has become one
of the most recognized health and fitness magazines in the state. The current issue
and archives are available online at www.islandscene.com.
The site also includes new exclusive features, updated twice a month.
The HMSA Island Scene Festival was supported by University of Hawaii’s College
of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, and Hawaii Department of Agriculture.
HMSA is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
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