Puna’s Weeklong Music Fest Hits the Ground Running

The opening event of the 2013 Puna Music Festival took place Sunday at Isaac Hale Beach Park.

Hundreds of patrons were on hand for the concert that took place at Pohoiki Beach.

The free and open-air concert included mega-talent such as multiple Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner Kuana Torres Kahele, and Kaumakaiwa Kanaka‘ole.

The week-long festival continues with performances and workshops from local artists at venues throughout Lower Puna through Saturday, May 11.

On Monday, May 6, at the Kalani EMAX, located at Kalani Honua near Kalapana Sea View Estates, take part in “edutainment,” as Leilehua Yuen and husband Manu Josiah educate and entertain the crowds by sharing their cultural knowledge. Donations are appreciated at this free event scheduled from 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Change the pace of your week with a Wednesday night treat at Uncle’s Awa Bar at the Kalapana Night Market.

Sip on some ‘awa, or other libation and shop around and wander as surprise local guest artists entertain from 5 to 10 p.m. If possible, carpool. Dress is eclectic as girls may wear heels, slippahs and everything in between. Guys…get creative if you’re on the lookout for the new lady-love.

Friday, May 10, stroll down Pahoa’s Main Street from 5 to 8 p.m. for Kanakapila in Pahoa as vendors stay open later and live music spills into streets from various venues.

Get a map of the artists and their performance locations at Grand Central, located across from Bank of Hawai’i. At the central stage, Bruddah Kuz performs at 5 p.m. and Jeff Hunt and Friends will play at 7.

Then at 8 p.m., the Akebono Theater hosts Na Hoku Hanohano winner John Cruz. Tickets are $20 each and the venue is for adults 21 years of age and older. VIP tickets for $35 have been sold out online.

The festival closes on Saturday, May 11, with a performance from Nahko and Medicine for the People at Kalani EMAX. Their performances are usually sold-out events, so get your tickets early. General admission is $20 and VIP tickets are $60.

For more detailed event information and online ticket purchase to the above events, visit www.punamusicfestival.com.

The festival is sponsored by the Hawaiian Tourism Authority and County of Hawaii, presented by KAPA-FM, and hosted by Kalani.

Disclosure: KAPA-FM and Big Island Now are both owned by Pacific Media Group.