I had the privilege of attending the 2008 Celebration of the Arts held at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua on Maui. It was an experience that filled me with awe for the amazing talents of the artists and craftspeople in attendance. It was also an experience that I found deeply disturbing.

The Celebration of the Arts provides an opportunity for island artists and craftspeople to demonstrate their talents and to share their knowledge with visitors to Hawaii as well as the numerous locals in attendance.

Find out more about the annual Celebration of the Arts at the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua on Maui.

View a gallery of 18 photos from this year's event.

_{Lauhala Weaving Lessons with Etina Hingano at the 2008 Celebration of the Arts - Photo by John Fischer, licensed to About.com}