By Craig T. Kojima, Star-Bulletin
Juanette Baysa, shown with a horsehead she carved, wants to make a
permanent carousel in Kakaako. If the Kakaako authority board approves
the project, a fund-raising campaign would start in early 1999.
Artisan dreams of
building a carousel
The Big Isle woodcarver envisions
By Jerry Tune
paniolo horses draped in traditional
leis at Kakaako Waterfront Park
Star-BulletinA Big Island woodcarver and graphic designer is proposing to build the state's first permanent park carousel complex with wooden horses draped in leis at Kakaako Waterfront Park.
Juanette J. Baysa said the $1.6 million carousel would be completed by the year 2003. Rides would cost $1.
Baysa said she got the idea after seeing what was done in Missoula, Mont., and Salem, Ore., and then getting wood-carving training in 1996.
The Missoula carousel opened in 1995 as the first hand-carved carousel created in the United States since the Great Depression. The Riverfront Carousel Inc. project in Salem is using 70 volunteer carvers and painters to complete its project.
"The Kakaako Waterfront Park seems the perfect location considering the other similar proposed venues such as the Children's Discovery Center, so we have submitted a proposal to the board of directors of the Hawaii Community Development Authority," Baysa said.
If the Kakaako authority board approves the project, a fund-raising campaign would start in early 1999.
Jan Yokota, the authority's executive director, said Baysa's proposal with a detailed business plan will come before the board later this year. No state funding is requested. Baysa is seeking a lease for about one-third of an acre.
"She's worked very hard to make this a realistic project," Yokota said. "To me, it does fit in the park (design plans) but the board has to look at it."
E K Fernandez Shows operated a carousel in Aala Park from 1942-45 and makes appearances in parks today, said Kane Fernandez, company president. But a permanent operation is more costly and involves covered protection, he said.
"We've looked at it once or twice but (to work economically), it must be in a busy place," Fernandez said.
Several carousels operate in mainland parks, including the Balboa Park in San Diego with its world-class zoo.
Baysa envisions more Hawaiian designs including horses draped with traditional leis from each island. These would be paniolo horses and the type used in the Aloha Day parade, she said.
The 38-foot-diameter carousel also would include a baby humpback whale, dolphin, green sea turtle, monk seal, sea horse and shark.
Art work on the carousel would depict endangered and extinct birds, rainbows, and sunrises of Hawaii.
The carousel is designed for people of all ages and some figures would be wheelchair accessible, Baysa said.
Baysa said no child would be turned away because of an inability to pay.
"A special fund is provided for children from homeless or abuse centers so they, too, can ride the carousel," she said.
A visiting carousel artist program would be set up to bring in master carvers from the mainland to conduct special three-week to four-week classes for Hawaii craftsmen.
The project's first phase would include 30 Fiberglas figures, reproductions of the work of famous carousel carvers. These figures and the carousel power mechanism would cost about $300,000.
"These primered pieces will then be painted by local artists to reflect the character of an 'old world' carousel," she said. "The temporary figures will allow the carousel to become operational within a few month's time, thus generating early revenues."
Phase two involves the visiting carousel carvers and training for local carvers.
As each Hawaiian wooden figure is completed, it would replace one of the Fiberglas figures. Company sponsors would get to keep the Fiberglas figures, she added.
Baysa said her company, Paradise Ponies of Kurtistown on the Big Island, will help organize the fund raising. She wants to work with local colleges and businesses for the project.
"Prizes and activities will be planned to insure the public's continuing support as the carousel undergoes its two- to three-year metamorphosis," she said.
