By Petra Wiesenbauer
Editor’s note: We welcome Petra Wiesenbauer as our new editor of “Across the Punaverse.” Many may recognize her from her Facebook page, “Pahoa Community Resources,” where she regularly shares important information about East Hawaii. We are so lucky to have her join us.
Aloha and welcome to the New Year. I am hoping you all had some restful and peaceful times during the holidays. I am wishing you smooth beginnings and am hoping you are ready for this New Year, moving into a new era in our Punaverse! Some of the upcoming events may help to get you started, redefine your focus and purpose, connect with local artists, practitioners, and food lovers. Expand your creativity, feel your spirit, and connect with other wonderful people in our community.
Pahoa Night Market – Live Music & Food & Vendors
In the center of the Punaverse, we have a new Night Market in Pahoa at the old Luquin’s/Akebono location. It first opened in December and has had increasing popularity with 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. This has the potential of becoming a great gathering place on a Friday night in the middle of Pahoa with plenty of parking. The venue has a great stage with live bands playing each evening.
There will also be live music events on Saturday nights. First event of the month will be on January 3, 6:30 – 9:30 pm – Hallow Eye – showcasing our local talents. For more details, check the Pahoa Lava Zone Museum Facebook site.
If you are interested in selling your products, you can connect through the QR code on the flyer.
New Year Visioning Experience
On January 3 from 8 am-12 pm the Anawa Center for Peace at the ‘Awapuhi Labyrinth (15-1601 4th Ave, HPP) will hold a New Year Visioning Experience gathering to include group meditation, divination art project, vision board activity, tarot card reading, and labyrinth walks. $20 suggested donation, contact anawacenter.com or call (704) 301-7011 with questions.
Starting on January 4 the Anawa Center for Peace will also hold a Sunday Ritual Reset between 3:30 – 5pm. It is meant to be a weekly return to Self and Spirit with sound bath, meditation, wisdom sharing circle, and lots of love and laugher. Donations welcome.
Moku Street Market – Leilani Estates
Mark your calendars, Pahoa’s newest night market in Leilani Estates will be back on January 16. All will be happening under the pavilion with live music and local vendors from 3 pm – 8 pm. Free print-making craft will be offered during this event for all ages; more details to come. 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: (http://www.mokustreetmarket.com)
Maker’s Market – The Syables in Hawaiian Shores
On January 18, 12 – 5 PM, another wonderful Maker’s Market will present local makers, growers & doers with their products at the Stables in Hawaiian Shores (15- 859 Kahakai Blvd). If you’d like to be a first-time vendor, please apply here: https://form.jotform.com/250041052670039. If you’re a returning vendor, here’s the reservation link: https://makersmarkethui.com/Payments.html. Please send an email to [email protected] if you have a question or need assistance.
Big Island Meadery in Keaau
Big Island Meadery is the first meadery on the Big Island, making mead (honey wine) from their own honey. They are open Tuesdays-Saturdays from 10 am – 6 pm. For January, they have the following schedule for food vendors, adding their special touch.
Mana Fest (3 Events)
Music & Arts Festival
On January 23-25 the 8th annual Mana Fest will take place at Kalani Oceanside Retreat Center – Kapoho Road. Activities will be happening between 1-9 pm each day. It is a celebration of creativity, connection, and community with 3 stages of uplifting music, dance, live painting, sacred fire, workshops, red tent, vibrant marketplace, and family-friendly vibes. Kids 17 and under are free.
Mana Music Retreat
2-Day Pre-Festival Music Immersion (Jan 20-21) Join ManaFest main stage musicians to unlock your musical potential & elevate your musical abilities to the next level! Perfect for all levels—budding artists to seasoned performers!
Rose temple retreat
3-Day Post-Festival Immersion (Jan 26-28th) Dive into divine feminine, wisdom workshops, sacred drum, live music, spa bliss & sisterhood. Reconnect with your voice, womb & creativity, savor delicious food & experience rejuvenation!
For more information about the events and to purchase tickets, go to https://www.manafestival.love/
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 – 10 a.m. 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.