The Laupahoehoe Music Festival is returning for a day of live music after a four-year hiatus.
For the 15th year, Laupahoehoe Community Public Charter School is hosting the music festival Saturday to raise money for the school from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Laupahoehoe Point Beach Park.
“It takes about a year to plan the festival, so in 2023, the school was ready to put this on again,” said organizer Niki Hubbard. “For those who haven’t been, the festival is all about great music in a great setting. People can bring chairs and umbrellas and just enjoy a day of entertainment from local talent.”
This year’s festival will feature live performances Todd with the Crooked Hat and LCPCS students, Kris Fuchigami, John Keawe, Hula Halau Kou Lima Nana ‘E, Halau Hula Kauluola, Ku‘ulei Music and the Kalapana Awa Band.
Fuchigami has played in ukulele festivals around the world, but this will be his first true music festival on the Big Island.
“We’ve heard about this festival over the years and have always wanted to be part of it, so I was so happy to get the call,” Fuchigami said. “It’s nice to perform at home, because we know a majority of the musicians, so it’s like seeing family you haven’t seen in a while. We’re going to be catching as many sets as we can.”
Fuchigami began touring professionally when he was 18 and has played his electrifying ukulele in all manner of contests, shows and festivals. Most recently, he and his band finished a studio session for the new album, “Resurgence,” which will be coming out by the end of the year.
Fuchigami is set to play from 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. on Saturday.
After the Laupahohoe Music Festival, he is scheduled to perform a set and host a beginning level ukulele class at the Waikoloa Queen’s Marketplace Lei Day on Saturday, May 1.
“Every time there is an event with music and live entertainment, it’s so fun, because the audience is there to have a great time, which makes the performers have a great time. It’s a warm environment to be in,” Fuchigami said.
According to Hubbard, this year will be the first time that Kris Fuchigami, John Keawe, Ku‘ulei Music and the Kalapana Awa Band perform at the music festival.
“We’ve had the halau and Todd and the students perform before, but this is the first time we have these other awesome musicians as part of the set this year, which is really exciting,” Hubbard said. “A lot of us country folks are excited to have Kalapana Awa Band perform, because being in Laupahoehoe, many of us don’t have the opportunity to get to (Uncle Robert’s in) Kalapana for their Wednesday night show.”
Family-friendly activities will be available for keiki during the festival with booths for arts and crafts, lei making and games. LCPCS students also are hosting the silent auction this year, which will include handmade art and items for the school’s wood shop.
The Laupahoehoe Music Festival is a drug- and alcohol-free and cash-only event. Attendees can bring chairs, umbrellas and pop-up tents, but cannot bring any coolers or dogs to the park for the day.
“The event will go on rain or shine, so an umbrella is good for both,” Hubbard joked. “Every year we’ve had the festival, it’s always a lot of work, but it’s such a fun day every time.”
Tickets are available online for $15 until the end of today and will $20 at the gate (cash only). All proceeds support LCPCS.
For more information, visit laupahoehoemusicfestival.com.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com
