By Aero Coomer
Aloha, Neighbours, and thanks for checking in here with our choice cuts for events here in Puna. There are many things around here I am getting excited about, especially as the seasons move and we all turn over a new page in our lives.
Music, games, sports, markets, fundraisers, faires and other events are all hot on my list right now, so let’s get it started!
Kicking off the month at The Oasis, 14-4575 Pahoa-KalapanaRoad,dis a Labor Day Party with local musical acts Puna Kat, Maple Flo & Da Goats, and Kendra Kin. Expect some fantastic fun and danceable tunes from these folks, as they are all building a name for themselves around here. The event is technically free, though donations are encouraged. Kendra kicks off the party at 4:30 with a Carrie Underwood set, and Puna Kat will finish it with an 8 pm set on their own 1 year anniversary. Food and drinks will be available, and there is plenty of covered seating available, as well as beautiful gardens to walk around and enjoy.
On September 6th,from 10 to 11 AM, is the first of many monthly Buddhism classes on spiritual growth hosted at the Puna Hongwanji Buddhist Temple at 16-492 Volcano Road in downtown Keeau. All classes are free and require no registration, and participation can be in person or via Zoom. Email mpunahongwanji@twc.com if you would like the Zoom link.
Later on the same day, the Fraternal Order of the Eagles will host a charity Casino Night at 16-111 Opukahaia St in Kea’au, in honor of their 50th anniversary. Reservations must be made in advance at 808-450-5477. Entry fee is $100, and comes with dinner and a plethora of casino games to indulge in. Aloha attire is required, so were your floral-ist!
For all the old school rockers out there, Koa’s Lounge has a band “Rockin’ the Rock”, with all kine classic rock tunes from the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Tom Petty, The Who, The Doors, The Beatles, the Grateful Dead — and much more. No cover charge! Music starts at 6 and goes to 9, though the doors will be open much earlier.
Then next Saturday, September 13th, is the first of many “All Kine Markets” at 14-855 Kehau Road in the Nanawale Longhouse, now happening the 2nd Saturday of each month from 9am-1pm. A multitude of vendors will be present, serving up food like pizza, Indian, and Mexican vitals. Art, clothing, and handmade soaps, to name a few, will also be there offering up goods. Help support the fabric of our local community! Contact Geri at 808-938-1574 if any other vendors would like to reserve a spot.
Where I come from, Disc Golf is a way of life, and for some reason it’s been slow to catch on out here . . .We are deficient in courses to play on island, so maybe that is why, but hopefully that is changing. Disc golf is a perfect way to relax with friends and ohana. Its a good fun-filled way to get out into nature and exercise without the pressure of overly competitive or aggressive sporting mentalities. Many times a 9 or 18 hole course turns into a family picnic. One Saturday, September 20th, at 10 AM is one of the rare disc golf events I have seen happening out here, at one of the few courses available to us. It is an all ages event, with a youth competition for 12 and under, and an adult bracket for those 13 and over. Only $10 to enter with prepaid gift card prizes for the top players. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase. Register by email at nanawalediscgolf@gmail.com with your name and age to get in. Entry fee is collected at the door.
Also happening the same day September 20th from 3pm-6pm at the Puna Kai shopping center in Pahoa is a free all-ages concert with 3 local youth bands taking center stage. Seems like a cool ffamily-friendly event to check out. I tend to be amazed when I see some kids rocking out on stage.
One event I have seen getting the most talk and publicly is the 2 day “Volcano Renaissance Faire” happening at the Pa’ani Ranch, located at 17-7848 N Kulani Rd, in Kurtistown on the 20th and 21st. Have some fun and support the 1st ever Volcano Renaissance Faire! With 3 main stages, 4 other stages, 15 shows, and over 50 vendors signed up, it is looking like it’s going to be an incredible event. Games, demonstrations, a beer garden, ono foods, and much more are looking to round out what we hope to be a regular epic event. Themes include circus skills, sustainable living, our fantasy island, cultural connections, native plants and animals, living the dream of Aloha Aina – and of course clowns and silliness-esesses. 🙂 Tickets are only $15 presale and $20 at the door. Go to www.volcanorenfaire.com for more info and to get your tickets. If you have a hankering to throw some tomatoes at a foul mouth wench – this is your place!
Late in the month on Saturday, September 27th, from 6-9pm is the annuafundraiser for the Center of Spiritual Living in East Hawaii. Located at 15-1833 Paradise Drive, CSL has a really amazing architectural building for event spaces.There will be non-monetary gambling games including craps, roulette and blackjack. Wear your Aloha and come on out for the fun of it! Besides games and door prizes, culinary delights will all be offered up with the ticket entry price of $80. Go to https://csleasthawaii.breezechms.com/form/280da59621 for the ticket link.
Last shout-out of the month goes to another rare local sporting event – a Men’s and Women’s volleyball tournament at the Pahoa Gym from 8am-8pm from Sept 27th-28th. Scrimmages have been happening for a while, and players are eager to give it all they got. Sponsored by Mic Hi Games, a Micronesian Enterprise. I hope some of you get to go check it out. Game on!
Until next time, Keep it classy, Puna! See yall there!
Aero Coomer
Aero grew up in a log cabin in the thick Wisconsin woods and has never been able to shake the Wilderness from his Soul.
A decades-long forager and wildcrafter, from Portland to Arcata to San Francisco, he supplied many grocery stores, restaurants, & farmers’ markets with gourmet mushrooms.
In the last decade, medicinal mushrooms and plants such as reishi, chaga, and lion's mane have taken a focal point in his life for his healing process, so he started Old Growth Organics, as he continually refines and creates some of the cleanest and most potent medicinal mushroom and la’au lapa’au products around. Find him at the farmers market just giving away the best Chaga Chai you have ever tried.
20-year master gardener, blue ribbon flower grower, with the knowledge to create diverse & specific compost teas. Highly attuned to the Moon and Elementals, he used his visionary artist skills to channel a new Planetary Moon Calendar, amongst other agricultural inventions. Here in Hawai'i, he has spent time as a teacher and permaculture facilitator at the Hawaiian Sanctuary.
Long-term volunteer of many issues of social justice, family and human rights, environmental rights, indigenous rights, food sovereignty, and community solidarity- here to continue the mission of bringing health & happiness to the world – starting with the Ohana gathered here.
Only eight years here in Puna so far, but here to stay, the love of Malama Aina has touched the core of his being, along with the Spirit of Aloha. 600 coconut trees deep, he prefers to spend his free time planting food forests for the future.