Get your tickets now for Polyfest Kona, featuring Aaradhna and Sammy J

Hawai‘i’s Finest is kicking off its 2026 Polyfest festivities on the Big Island.

The lifestyle and apparel brand presents Sammy J and Aaradhna for Polyfest Kona from 7 to 11 p.m. July 24 at KBXtreme, located at 75-5591 Palani Road, in Kailua-Kona.

“Don’t miss the show, live,” said an Instagram post by KBXtreme.

Advance tickets are available through July 23 online for $29 general admission and $79 for VIP status, which includes a VIP lanyard, designated VIP entrance and a VIP area to hang out and enjoy the music.

Ticket prices increase to $40 general admission and $100 for VIPs the night of the event at the door.

No re-entry will be allowed. Only those 21 years old and older will be given a wristband to drink alcoholic beverages. Blankets and towels are allowed; however, absolutely no coolers, outside food, drinks (including refillable drinking bottles with water) and umbrellas will be allowed.

No packages, bags, knapsacks or backpacks will be allowed.

Small purses should not exceed 12-inch-by-12-inch; diaper bags are OK, one per person and subject to search, for those with children. No strollers.

Any outside alcoholic beverages will be confiscated. Anyone younger than 21 years old found drinking will be subject to being kicked out of the venue and/or arrest.

Exclusive Hawai‘i’s Finest merchandise will be available for purchase. Food booths and a beer garden also will be at the event, which is family-friendly and open to all ages.

VIP areas, however, are restricted to adults age 21 years old and older.

Aaradhna Jayantilal Patel burst onto the Australasian music scene in 2004 when her vocals were featured alongside R&B sibling duo Adeaze on their platinum hit single “Getting Stronger.”

She since repeatedly proved her mettle in the studio and on stage, affirming her status as one of New Zealand’s most beloved modern R&B and soul artists.

During the first major arc of her professional recording and performance career, Aaradhna played a central role in the first rise and second coming of South Auckland’s storied Dawn Raid Entertainment hip-hop/R&B record label.

This run culminated in an electrifying moment when she spoke truth to power during the 2016 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards before pulling the pin and rebooting herself as an independent artist.

Aaradhna received a Grammy nomination in 2017 for Best Reggae Album for her songwriting on American-Samoan singer J Boog’s “Wash House Ting” album. She then spent the next 7 years playing live performances throughout New Zealand, Australia and Southeast Asia while living life, writing, recording and producing her fifth album “Sweet Surrender.”

Her talent and accomplishments firmly etched her name in her hometown’s history books.

Through her last two albums “Brown Girl” and “Sweet Surrender” plus her work with J Boog, she continues to move ever closer to doing the same within the annals of popular music worldwide.

Australian native Sammy Johnson, a.k.a Sammy J, embraces his Maori and Polynesian roots to create positive and uplifting music, blending together island reggae, soul and jazz vibes with heartfelt lyrics.

Johnson’s sound is exhilarating and intoxicating. He seemingly exploded on the market since moving to the United States, selling out venues throughout the West Coast and Hawai‘i. He waves the flag for Pacific Island sound and quickly became a leader of the scene alongside new school artists such as J Boog and veterans including Katchafire.

Sammy J got his big break via Youtube after his video for “Don’t Say Goodbye” became a viral sensation, racking up more than 10 million plays. He was working as a social worker at the time and decided to pursue music full-time following the song’s newfound popularity. It soon become a staple of modern era island sound.

A Hawaiian-based producer contacted him shortly after to work on an album for which he was offered a record deal with Island Empire Records, home to groups such as Common Kings, Tenelle and Fiji.

Johnson said his move in 2014 to California and musical quest to spread positive vibrations throughout the country went beyond what he could have ever imagined.

Polyfest on O‘ahu is a major annual cultural event featuring family-friendly music and celebrating Polynesian music, food and culture. It and its sister events — such as the upcoming Polyfest Kona — showcase top Polynesian, reggae and R&B artists alongside local vendors and a beer garden.

Learn more at the Hawai‘i’s Finest website.