KAPAAU — Each fall for the last seven years, the rich agricultural heritage of Kohala has been celebrated at the annual Kohala Aina Festival. Presented by the Hawaii Institute of Pacific Agriculture (HiP Agriculture), this year the festival continues in Kapaau on Nov. 12 at Inhabit Farms.
The event is a part of an annual fundraising campaign to support residential farmer training and youth education programs in Hawaii. In honor of makahiki season, the festival focuses on local harvest, farmers and the growing movement for island-wide food sovereignty to inspire community members to become even more involved in growing Hawaii’s vibrant local food system.
“This is an important time for us to gather around the future of food in Hawaii,” said Dash Kuhr, HiP Agriculture’s founder. “As California races straight towards a major food crisis in the Central Valley, and unpredictable weather affects global food production, it is imperative our island residents become more resilient and less vulnerable to shocks or disruptions in the global supermarket. The festival is a fun way that we can gather as a community and become more self-sufficient and empowered.”
Live music, local organic food, workshops, keiki activities and Hawaiian culture presentations will be held throughout the day. Gates open at 12:30 p.m., with music entertainment from 1-10 p.m. on the Kahua Waiwai Stage and the Mahi’ai Stage.
“This year’s festival features a unique multi-cultural lineup with Native American, African, Australian Aboriginal and Hawaiian musicians coming together from all over the world to support Hawaii’s food sovereignty movement,” Kuhr said. “We are extra excited for the Hawaiian culture village which will feature traditional makahiki games led by Kanu o ka Aina, presentations on kalo, poi pounding, basket weaving, and lauhala weaving to offer the highest level of education and entertainment for youth and adults. People of all ages can find something to learn and enjoy.”
Experts leading the presentations will include kalo and biodiversity authority Jerry Konanui, and members of HiP Agriculture’s advisory board, including Chef Donna Maltz who will offer a “Soil to Soul Effervescent Fermentation” demonstration. Workshops and informational tents about critical issues facing today’s farmers will be open throughout the day. A complete list of topics can be found at https://hipagriculture.org/events/kohalaaina.
“The festival brings community and folks from around the island together to share local food, high vibration music, culture and education to heighten the awareness of the special aina that nurtures us,” Maltz said. “The way we take care of the soil, our body, souls and mind are all interconnected. What we feed them will grow.”
Children will have their own activities.
“This year we decided to substantially expand the keiki zone,” Kuhn said. “The family oriented daytime festival will offer a full schedule of keiki activities including bouncy house, cooking demos and circus performances. This is a really fun way to directly support growing the health of the land and keiki.
HiP Agriculture will also showcase organic and locally grown snacks and dinner from a variety of vendors. Kava Kafe will serve HiP Agriculture’s farm grown kava, in addition to the return of the Niu Lani Juice Bar, where fresh coconuts will be also be available.
All event proceeds will fund training and empowering the next generation land stewards and educating keiki on the importance of growing one’s own food.
“I encourage people to come to this year’s festival and support this important and timely work. This is call to action to come and immediately become part of the solution,” Kuhn added.
Tickets: $45 in advance, $50 at the gate, including all entertainment and educational workshops. Children 12 and under are free.
Tickets can be purchased online at https://kohalaainafestival.bpt.me, by calling Brown Paper Tickets at (800) 838-3006 or at Kohala Grown Market located in Hawi, the HiP Agriculture Booth at the Hawi Farmers Market, Sea Dandelion Cafe and Awa Bar in Honokaa and Conscious Culture Cafe in Hilo.
Info: www.hipagriculture.org
