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MEDIA RELEASE

Paradise Ponies, Inc. a nonprofit corporation intends to construct and operate a unique Hawaii-themed carousel along the Volcano Heritage Corridor. Yen Chin has been named as its project manager for Hawaii Island.

Under the direction of the Carousel Design Team, Yen Chin will lead a group of volunteers with a mission to construct, carve and paint the figures representing Hawaii Island on the Carousel of Aloha.

Each island county will have its own project manager, responsible for the management of volunteers and ensures all figures are completed as scheduled. Completed figures will be displayed around the home county before arriving on Hawaii Island for display and installation.

Chin discovered the project at at booth while shopping at Hilo Coffee Mill’s Farmers Market. He and his wife immediately wanted to help. After attending the first of three how-to classes, he is currently attending a three-week summer carving workshop under the tutelage of master carousel carver Ken Means, of Coquille, Ore.

The Carousel of Aloha Pavilion and Park, containing the Carousel of Aloha, features hand carved menagerie figures, seating benches known as chariots, rounding boards, and other carousel amenities carved and painted by volunteer artisans throughout the state.

An expansive pavilion houses the carousel, restoration workshop, gift shop and other indoor spaces available to the community for art and cultural activities, recreation and entertainment.

The adjacent park will add outdoor space for cultural events and activities for youth, families, residents and visitors.

Volunteers, donations, corporate sponsors and major benefactors are needed. For information on classes or how to help, contact Katherine Patton at 808-315-1093, email CarouselOfAloha@gmail.com, or visit CarouselOfAloha.org

An informational display, including carousel figures in progress, is shown 8 a.m.-1 p.m. every Saturday at the Hilo Coffee Mill in Mountain View.

— Find out more:
www.CarouselOfAloha.org