(ABOVE PHOTO) Nahko, the nationally renowned folk/rock singer with Hawai‘i Island roots, will headline the Kohala Aina Festival. Photo courtesy Hawai‘i Institute of Pacific Agriculture.

NEWS BRIEFS

• The 5th Annual Kohala ‘Āina Festival, presented by the Hawai‘i Institute of Pacific Agriculture, will be held today on the makai fairgrounds of the historic ‘Iole ahupua‘a in Kapa‘au from 1:00 – 9:00 pm.

PRIMARY SOURCE

The 5th Annual Kohala ‘Āina Festival, presented by the Hawai‘i Institute of Pacific Agriculture (HIP Agriculture), will be held on November 8, 2014 from 1:00 – 9:00 pm on the makai fairgrounds of the historic ‘Iole ahupua‘a in Kapa‘au, North Kohala. Live music, food and educational workshops will be held from 1:00 – 5:00 pm, with keynote presentations and headline entertainment from 6:00 – 9:00 pm. Tickets are $20 in advance (online at kohalaaina2014.brownpapertickets.com or by phone at 1-800-838-3006) and $25 at the door. Children under 12 are free.

This festival marks the beginning of the makahiki season with a celebration of local harvest, young farmers, and the growing movement for island-wide food sovereignty. This year’s festival features a line up of international and local musicians, educational workshops, a 100% locally grown Hawaiian style feast, and family friendly keiki activities. This Kohala ‘Āina Festival is HIP Agriculture’s annual family friendly celebration and campaign to raise funds for youth education programs.

Live musical entertainment headliners are Nahko, a nationally renowned folk/rock singer with Hawai‘i Island roots, and Hawai‘i’s own Ooklah The Moc. Other performers include Cas Hayley, Tubby Love, Kaahele and the Isms, DJ Conscious Riddims and other special guests. There will also be hula from Halau Kukui Aloha o Kohala, African Drum and Dance, and a Keiki Tent with fun, interactive activities for all ages.

This year’s educational workshops are centered around a Permaculture Convergence—featuring an innovative rotating workshop format with island-wide experts in Soil Fertility, Beekeeping, Seed Saving, Community Design, Plant Medicine and Hawai‘ian Culture. Attendees can participate in particular workshops and visit informational tents throughout the day to learn about and discuss critical issues facing today’s small farmers. HIP Agriculture is also introducing the first annual Young Farmers Delegation, an event bringing together island youth and working farmers to explore sustainable agriculture as an economically viable career path.

This year HIP Agriculture anticipates serving 1,000 people with a 100% locally sourced menu. This traditional Hawaiian feast will feature the talents of several well-known island guest chefs including Casey Halpern, Executive Chef at Cafe Pesto, Allen Hess, Chef de Cuisine at the Mauna Lani Canoe House and Executive Chef Donna Maltz. Fresh coconuts, juices and snacks will be available at the Niu Lani Juice Bar.

Tickets can be purchased in advance online at kohalaaina2014.brownpapertickets.com or by calling 1-800-838-3006.

The Kohala ‘Āina Festival is the annual fundraiser for the Hawai’i Institute of Pacific Agriculture. 100% of proceeds raised support youth education programs, residential farmer trainings and community education projects island-wide. Donations are tax-deductible through the fiscal sponsorship of the North Kohala Community Resource Center, Hawi, Hawai’i.

Learn more at www.hipagriculture.org.Hawai‘i Institute of Pacific Agriculture media release