Da Kine Star-Bulletin staff and wire services

---

Exploring the West inspires artist pair

Artists Hiroshi Tagami and Michael Powell will exhibit works inspired by a three-week, 2,700-mile journey across the western United States.

Their original oils reflect a road trip through Yosemite, Idaho, the Salt Desert, Jackson Hole, the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone.

The new collection, plus other paintings, will be on exhibit and sale at La Pietra-Hawaii School for Girls, 2933 Poni Moi Road, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The exhibit will include wood-turned bowls by Scott Sullivan, jewelry and glass sculpture by Babs Miyano-Young, jewelry by Florence Miyano and Opal Fields, and ceramics by Lois Miyano Tselentis, Kenny Kicklighter and Kevin Omuro.

Admission is free. Call 946-8520.

Wyland debuts on Discovery

Environmental artist Wyland, best known for his Whaling Walls, giant marine life murals, makes his debut on national television 9 p.m. Saturday with the premiere of "Wyland: A Brush with Giants" on Discovery's Animal Planet Network. Wyland, 50, will get up close and personal with a blue whale in Mexico's Sea of Cortez. Joining Wyland on the show is guest artist Chris Soto. The episode repeats Sunday.

Join a celebration of the winter solstice

The 2006 Hawaii Fire Tribe Winter Solstice Gathering will be Dec. 13 to 17.

This community celebration involves dark-to-dawn fire circles around which chanting, dancing, drumming, poetry and other spiritual expressions will take place.

Early registration is $50, through Dec. 1. Late registration of $70 is through Dec. 8. Children up to age 17 are $10.

Participants will be given directions to the location after registering. Camping accommodations and meal plans are available. Visit www.firetribehawaii.org.