MEDIA RELEASE

* 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16 at Volcano Art Center

Bring your blue tarp, your sustainably-built bra-bird feeder and join Sherri Carden, the Puna Princess, for big rural living laughs at the Volcano Art Center.

Sherri Carden

Carden a seasoned comedienne and speaker, having performed at the LOL: Ladies Out Loud in Volcano in September, the Akebono Theater, Honokaa People’s Theater, Pahoa Village Cafe and Hilo Town Tavern.

She attributes her confidence and speaking skills to Toastmasters, where she was the past president and a Hawaii state finalist.

As the Puna Princess, she shares stories about marriage, farm life, the wisdom of donkeys, and how to keep recycling items until they return to the soil. She gives tips on how to make dog prints fashionable, and ponders how Puna can have mud but no dirt.

Her upcoming show will highlight unique homemade gifts for holiday gift giving.

Carden’s Puna Princess character started when she became the Los Angeles County 4-H Queen when she was 17.

“4-H was where I learned about farming, self-sufficiency, and sustainability,” she said. “When I arrived in Hawaii, I had a big dream of having a farm.”

She imagined she’d grow vegetables, harness the donkey to her cart, and deliver food to her neighbors. Learning about the realities of farm life, especially in Puna, is the source for Carden’s stories and laughter.

Carden landed on Maui in 1989, married and moved to Hawaii Island. In 2004, she opened A Beautiful Day Spa and Storybook Farm, where she and a small staff provide peace, comfort, massage and other relaxation products and services.

Always looking for ways to pay it forward, Carden also has a Massage Establishment License, MAE 2203, to teach massage as well as a practitioner’s license, MAT 4949. She offers Apprenticeship Programs to massage students, so they can complete their hours.

“Having a day spa and farm together can create some really funny situations,” Carden said. “Sometimes my cat will join us in the massage room and start snoring.”

Her donkey, Mocha Latte, who is also the source of many Puna Princess stories, can start singing at any time.

Carden runs a bio-dynamic farm, where every plant and animal has a purpose.

“For example, my animals beautify the property by fertilizing the fruits and veggies. My clients really like seeing the farm in action, and visiting the bunnies,” she said. “It’s definitely not a walk down main street.”

Carden got interested in comedy when she lived in LA in the 1980s. She even performed at the Comedy Store. After an early show, someone stopped her and said, “You’re too young and too pretty to do comedy.”

“The door’s wide open now,” Carden said.