Thursday, December 27: 
Kadomatsu Making & Mochi Pounding.  For centuries, New Years is considered to be the most celebrated custom in Japan. Let your inner rhythm be set free during mochitsuki (rice pounding) and practice centering and a bit of visual poetry while making a kadomatsu (gate pine) for your home. Taste a variety of ways that you can enjoy consuming the ‘rice spirit’ for purity, strength and spiritual wealth as you bring in the New Year with old traditions and new faces.  10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  $25 per family. Donkey Mill Art Center, 78-6670 Mamalahoa Hwy., Holualoa.  For information call (808) 322-3362 or visit www.donkeymillartcenter.org.