HAU'ULA — Residents will host a different kind of open house this weekend as artists and craftsmen open their homes to benefit Hau'ula Elementary School art classes.

The inaugural Hau'ula Art Walk, sponsored by the Hau'ula Artists Guild, isn't just about making money for the school, said art walk organizers. It's a means to build pride in the community and lift morale, said Elaine Chung, walk organizer. Part of the sales proceeds from the event will go to the school.

"It's kind of a depressed area and, politically, I guess there's absolutely no clout because the school has been on the leastfavored list as far as funds," Chung said. "They don't have any parks or playgrounds."

When Lindy's Food closed in 2001, Chung said, the shopping center where it was located became depressingly empty. But with Tamura's grocery store opening in January at the Lindy's site, she can feel the mood change and wanted to build on that.

It started with a bumper sticker reading "Hau'ula Rises," in which a hau flower shaped like the sun emerges from the sea, Chung said. The art walk will have similarly designed T-shirts that could be a motto and symbol for a new beginning, she said.

"I'm hoping people will look at the bumper sticker and put it on their cars and feel a little better about themselves," Chung said. "It has to be a number of things. Not just a little motto, but it has to start with some symbol too."

Hau'ula principal Bradley Odagiri said the art walk is a welcome surprise. School supplies are always in need. About 75 percent of the school's 277 pupils receive free or reduced-price lunch, an indication of low income.

Odagiri said that with the school in the middle of restructuring under the No Child Left Behind Act, funding is given to core courses first, although art is offered at the school.

"When you look at art supplies, it's not a priority area as compared to the core areas like science, reading, math and social studies," he said. "We do have art supplies but we don't have special funds for that."

The art walk will take place on both sides of the highway between Sacred Falls State Park and the Kim Taylor Reece Gallery at 53-866 Kamehameha Highway. People can park on side streets, but there will be parking available next to Kahaunani Woods at 53-850 Kamehameha Highway.

Items featured during the art walk will include jewelry, wood carvings, blown glass, bone carvings, photos and fine art.

Leo Enos, a woodworker, said Hau'ula has little to offer in the way of things to do for children, but anyone can participate in arts and crafts. They just need to be taught, she said.

"When they were talking about giving to Hau'ula and the arts class, that's one way to get them involved with using their hands and doing something good instead of wasted talent," Enos said. "It's like giving back and making them proud of their area."

Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com.