Rockin’ Out at Laupāhoehoe Point Beach Park

Kolea, Diana Aki, The Brown Boys and Average Joes were among the performers at the 12th Annual Laupāhoehoe Music Festival at the Laupāhoehoe Point Beach Park, Saturday, April 8, 2017.

The Laupāhoehoe Music Festival is a Hawaiian music and cultural event presented by Laupahoehoe Community Public Charter School.

Music, hula, crafters, game booths, a silent auction, food, beverages and shave ice offered something for everyone.

“It was such a beautiful day,” said Ryan Sabate, guitarist of Average Joes from Hilo. “We were very honored to be able to share our gifts and bring the ‘Circus Of Fun’ to the event. The crowd was fantastic! They fed us such great energy and we, in turn, gave it back.”

A unique addition to this year’s festival was the LCPCS student ‘ukulele band performance. The beginners wowed the crowd performing well-known favorites by Jack Johnson’s, such as Better Together and Drop Baby Drop by The Mana‘o Company.

LCPCS Director Romeo Garcia shared his excitement over recently joining the school in January 2017, and how he looks forward to many more festivals and events to come. Funds raised are used to support the music, agriculture and technology programs.

“It’s our kuleana to set the stage for them,” explained Garcia.

Events like the music festival not only support the school but the entire community,” Garcia added.

This year’s festival raised an estimated $7,000 to $9,000.

Event organizer Niki Hubbard explained that the general funds this year will go toward developing the music program; students also raised funds for class trips.

Silent auction proceeds go to the community nonprofit that supports the school, mostly for art and dance activities.

“Overall the festival was a success,” added Hubbard, “We raised funds that will help the school and had a lot of fun!”

LCPCS gives a big mahalo to the approximate 500 people who turned out and participated in the event, as well as to the 50 volunteers from Laupāhoehoe, Rotary, the Rock & Roll Motorcycle Club, emcees Penny Vredenburg, and KAPA and Big Island Now’s Darde Gamayo, and sponsors Walters Electric/La‘akea Solar and C&A Generators.

Next year’s music festival is scheduled for April 21, 2018.

To find out more about the festival, go online.

Laupāhoehoe Community Public Charter School is the home of 291 K-8 students and facilitator for 60 Kindergarten through eighth-grade virtual leaners through their Kaupe‘a program.

LCPCS’s next event is its May Day Program on Friday, May 12, 2017.

The Average Joes dancing with the crowd in a conga line at the 12th Annual Laupāhoehoe Music Festival, April 8, 2017. Photo: Crystal Richard.

The Brown Boys performing live at the 12th Annual Laupāhoehoe Music Festival, April 8, 2017. Photo: Crystal Richard.

Laupāhoehoe Tsunami Memorial adorned in flowers and offerings at Laupahoehoe Point Beach Park,
April 8, 2017. Photo: Crystal Richard..

KT Sunshine (vocals), Ryan Sabate (guitar), Scott Sayers (bass), Grayson Ishihara (keys) and Jason Silva (drums) from the Hilo band Average Joes performing at the 12th Annual Laupāhoehoe Music Festival, April 8, 2017. Photo: Crystal Richard.

Kolea performing at the 2017 Laupāhoehoe Music Festival, April 8, 2017. Photo: Crystal Richard.

Lead Kolea vocalist playing the ‘ukulele at the 12th Annual Laupāhoehoe Music Festival, April 8, 2017. Photo: Crystal Richard.

The 12th Annual Laupāhoehoe Music Festival, April 8, 2017, at Laupahoehoe Point Beach Park. Photo: Crystal Richard.

The Laupāhoehoe Community Public Charter School students performing at the 12th Annual Laupāhoehoe Music Festival, April 8, 2017. Photo: Crystal Richard.

Average Joes performing at the 2017 Laupāhoehoe Music Festival, April 8, 2017, at Laupāhoehoe Point Beach Park. Photo: Crystal Richard.

Among the various booths and activities at the 12th Annual Laupāhoehoe Music Festival was a lei making booth, April 8, 2017. Photo: Crystal Richard.