By Petra Wiesenbauer
I hope your New Year has been going well, and you were able to start with renewed energy and purpose. Our community of local artists, practitioners, food lovers and musicians is active and alive. The message I want to bring to you each month is how important community connections are for our own inner sense of thriving and peace. Take advantage of all the awesome offerings and opportunities. February brings us Valentine’s Day and President’s Day weekend – time off for many, special events and space to experience joy, happiness and honoring of special community members.
New Store/Studio in Pahoa – The Crafty Racoon Art House
You may have noticed the great new addition to the Pahoa community of stores – The Crafty Racoon Art House, right by Pahoa Kaleo’s, across from The Veli. The shop offers art supplies, art classes of all kinds, and space to do your own projects using the Raccoon’s space and supplies, with guidance available from studio artists. Melissa Hargis and her staff are super friendly and welcoming. For all their weekly classes, you can make reservations through their website or in person (www.craftyraccoon.com). The shop features a coffee bar with reasonable prices and is open Mon-Fri 11 am-6 pm, Sat 10 am-6 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm. Please check them out. All classes, special events, and updates can also be found on their Facebook page! Follow their FB page and support our local art community!
Pahoa Night Market – Live Music, Food & Vendors
The Pahoa Friday Night Market in Pahoa at the old Luquin’s/Akebono location has been a great success and continues to bring live music, great food trucks, market vendors, and a restricted area where alcoholic beverages are served. It is open from 3 pm to 8 pm every Friday. The next big event is scheduled for February 13, presenting the Puna Heavy Fest featuring rock, punk, and metal bands.
On Friday, February 6 from 5 – 10 PM the Pahoa Night Market will bring to you The Steppas, Drew Daniels, Pohai, Imani Avanti & Rob Taylor. The event is well worth the $10 cover charge. Come on out and enjoy your local musicians right in Pahao town – the center of the Punaverse.
Roots! Rhythm! Inspiration!
On February 3 at 5 pm at the Oasis (12-4575 Pahoa Kalapana Rd) this epic event will feature Saratone, Sisters of the One Drum, and Maka Gallinger & The 808 ‘Ohana. This evening will definitely be a profoundly heart-activating night to remember! The weaving of these powerful souls in one night is a special moment in time! Each of these Mana Wāhine brings forward insightful and impactful lyrics of inspiration and activation, while helping us to remember who we are, the importance of being Pono, and walking in right relation with all of life! Delicious traditional foods will be served by Sisters of the One Drum, and ‘Awa will be served by Maka & ‘Ohana
Big Island Meadery in Keaau
Big Island Meadery – our first meadery on the Big Island, making mead (honey wine) from their own honey. Big Island Meadery has a special event for Valentine’s on February 13 from 5-7 pm to decorate a Valentine’s cake. They also present weekly food specials. Hours are Tuesdays-Saturdays from 10 am – 6 pm. For the month of February, they have the following schedule for food vendors, adding their special touch.
Kilauea Military Camp – Valentine’s Special at the Crater Rim Café & Trivia
On February 13 & 14, the Crater Rim Café offers Happy Valentine’s Dinner Specials from 4 to 8 pm. Dinner specials include beef stew, seafood-stuffed peppers, vegan tofu tempura, etc. Every Monday night, the Lava Lounge holds a ‘Trivia Team Competition’. Doors open at 4 pm, registration at 5 pm, Trivia starts at 5:30 pm.
Paumana – Farm Fest
Come join the community for the 7th Annual Farm Fest on February 13 & 14 at Mile Marker 12.9 on Hwy. 130 (13-3376 Pahoa Kalapana Rd.). The festival features nonstop music from noon-midnight, food, arts & craft vendors, a late-night fire circle, kids’ space, live painting, ceremonies and more. For more information call 808-430-5528.
Volcano Writer’s Group Readings
A fine group of creative writers have been meeting in Volcano for several years . If you are a writer, join them. If you are someone who appreciates creative literacy, this is the place to be.
Mālama nā Kūpuna
Rooted in the rich cultural soil of Hawai‘i Island, Mālama nā Kūpuna farm-to-table program fosters connections among the kūpuna and the larger community through monthly gatherings. Their next event will be on February 17 from 11 am to 2 pm at the Ainaloa Longhouse. RSVP by February 15. Contact: Patty Kroh (209) 481-6721
Seaview SPACE – Jugglefest
This three-day festival from February 20-22 at SPACE offers a wild and wonderful journey into an experience filled with juggling workshops, games, performances, and a vibrant juggling and circus community. The Hawai’i Island Jugglefest is an exciting event for juggling enthusiasts of all skill levels and ages! Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, young or older, this festival offers something for everyone. For more details scan in on the QR code.
Volcano Art Center – Voyage from Hawaiki to Hawai’i
The Voyage from Hawaiki to Hawai’i: A glass exhibition about a time when nature held the power by Daniel Moe, ongoing until February 15. Join Volcano Art Center on a journey through time, honoring the experience of the first people to voyage from Hawaiki (Tahiti) to Hawai’i over a thousand years ago. The gallery is open daily, 9 am-5 pm.
Moku Street Market – Leilani Estates
Mark your calendars, Pahoa’s newest night market in Leilani Estates will be back on February 20 from 3 pm – 8 pm. All will take place under the pavilion with live music and local vendors. Gabby Kealoha Holt will provide live entertainment, raffle prizes will be drawn throughout the night, and they will host their first Giant Connect Four Tournament! The market is still seeking new vendors, future musicians, and local clubs, organizations, or groups looking for a free sponsored table. All details are available on the market’s website: www.mokustreetmarket.com (http://www.mokustreetmarket.com)
Celebration of Life for Steve Hirakami, from Hawaii Academy of Arts & Science
Join the community for a festival of love and legacy honoring Steve Hirakami on February 21 from 11 am-5 pm at the HAAS campus. In 2001, Steve Hirakami birthed a vision of forming a charter school in Pahoa. Together with a group of dedicated founding members, the Hawaii Academy of Arts & Science was established, now providing school services K-12 for over 800 students. Steve Hirakami was the school’s Director until his passing in late 2025. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Steve Hirakami Memorial Fund. For more information, check www.haaspcs.org.
Farmer’s Markets
Maku’u Farmer’s Market: Sundays 7:30 am – 2:00 pm https://tendingourroots.org/story/makuu-farmers-market/.
Kaimu Farmer’s Market: Saturdays 8:00 am – Noon Kaimu Beach Park
Volcano Farmers Market: Sundays 6 am – 10 am Cooper Center, 19-4030 Wright Road, Volcano Village
Petra Wiesenbauer
Petra grew up in Bavaria, Germany, and came to Oahu in 1997. She has lived in the Puna area for the last 27 years. Petra has worked in banking, non-profit social services, as an innkeeper, and business consultant & grant writer. She now has a private practice in Pahoa, where she sees clients as a Marriage & Family Therapist in person and via telehealth. She is the admin for the Pahoa Community Resources Facebook page, promoting information and resources that may be of interest to the residents of our Puna area.
Petra believes in strengthening communities, positive and constructive communication, collaboratively coming together as a community, developing resources to resolve issues, and promoting a spirit of respect, dignity, equality, and forward movement.
She loves the outdoors, spends much time in her garden, walking along the Puna cliffs, and hiking in the National Park. She is interested in the arts and culture, reading, and writing. She likes to travel and hang out with friends and family. She enjoys life, music, and community events and is an integral part of the Pahoa community.