For the third year in a row, the Poipu Beach Resort Association and Kalapaki Joe’s will host a New Year’s Eve celebration at Poipu Beach Park.
This year, Jody Valente, owner of Kalapaki Joe’s, said he and other organizers have taken a somewhat different approach.
“More local live music!” he said. “Giving these bands an opportunity to showcase their talent to our visitors as well as our local community.”
It is a step in the right direction, according to Valente. All about using the festival — which draws upwards of 4,000 people — to promote local artists.
“Locally, the event is growing immensely,” he said. “It’s such a big, wonderful event.”
The free festival begins at 5 p.m. with live music, food booths and a children’s tent, and culminates with a fireworks display at 9:20 p.m.
Featured bands include Russell Wellington, Cruz Control, The Greenstone Project and homegrown reggae band Revival. And all will perform with the Pacific Ocean as their backdrop.
Food booths will be set up around the main county pavilion at Poipu Beach Park and spotlight local fare from members of the Poipu Beach Resort Association. Food vendors include Kalapaki Joe’s and Uncle’s Shave Ice.
The Keiki Tent, sponsored by the Boys and Girls Club of Kauai, will be located next to the beach playground and feature Hawaiian games. The tent is complimentary, but donations to the club are recommended.
“It’s a very family friendly event,” Valente said. “Enjoy the ocean view, the whales, the sunset … So many things that make the day complete, and a lot of it has to do with our natural resources.”
Parking in the Poipu area is on a first come, first serve basis, and those who plan to attend are asked to be mindful of no parking signage.
For more information, visit kalapakijoes.com or www.poipubeach.org.
