The Kauai Family Music Festival is about getting back to what makes the Garden Isle special.
“Kauai was known as a place where people would come and be welcomed with graciousness and hospitality,” said Kamahalo Kauhane, executive director of the newly-formed Friends of Kauai group.
Sharing is the name of the game.
“We’re here to share music, share the space, share food,” Kauhane said.
Sponsored by Friends of Kauai, the first-ever Kauai Family Music Festival kicks off today at 5 p.m. and continues Saturday near Kilauea. This free, all-ages event will feature live music, a poi pounding demonstration, fire knife dancing and fresh, local food.
Kauhane encourages everyone to bring their family and kick off the summer in style, with one another.
“Aloha is what we want to try to strive for,” he said.
Today’s music lineup includes Hawaiian trio Hiikua, New Zealand-born musician LT Smooth and Kauai’s own Titus Kinimaka & The Kauai Boys.
On Saturday, the tunes begin at 2 p.m. and include performances by Liko Martin & The Surfing Bay Blues Band, Kelii Kanealii, Kauai’s homegrown reggae band Revival, Shilo Pa & Acoustic Mana, Sashamon, Children of the Land and Kalalea Kauhane & Indigenous.
Music lasts until 9:30 p.m. both nights.
“You’ll hear natural storytellers through music,” said Kauhane, adding that the festival has come together in “lightning speed.”
“We just want to bring good music and highlight a lot of our local talent.”
This weekend’s concert will be the first of many put on by Friends of Kauai, with another in the works for August.
“The input that people give to us will be very important,” Kauhane said. “There’s lot’s of room for us to add more bands.”
The concert venue is located on a private property south of Kilauea. From the flags on Kuhio Highway, turn mauka (inland) on Koolau Road and follow the signs.
The Kauai Family Music Festival is a drug- and alcohol-free event, and concertgoers are encouraged to bring their own chairs, blankets, sunscreen and flashlights.
Vendor space is still available. For more information call 645-1584 or visit www.restorekauai.org.
