By Aero Coomer
Aloha, and welcome back to another edition of events happening only in our beloved Puna! With so much stuff happening, we have decided to spotlight a few more events than normal, especially for our keiki. Yet also some for our Kupuna. With the kids out of school for the summer, there are a plethora of activities on the radar to keep the keiki engaged, occupied, and evolving.
First up on the menu goes to the Hiccup Circus Summer Camp, scheduled for June 2nd thru June 6th down at SPACE in Seaview. Guaranteed fun for ages 7 and up, as they immerse themselves in the many adventures available there. This includes juggling, acrobatics, aerial silks, stilts, and many more circus games — as well as fun in the pottery studio and gardens. Contact [email protected] for more info or to register. Sliding scale payments available.
Next at Studio Shaka in downtown Hilo, 174 Kamehameha Avenue, multiple camps are happening, with the first one scheduled for June 9th thru June 19th. This is for grades 6-12, with hands-on agricultural activities, a rich exploration of Hawaiian history from Polynesia to the present, as well as opportunities to explore their Makery, which has 3D printing and laser cutting machines to use. Email [email protected] to register or for more info. The website is www.studioshaka.com.
Another much needed outlet for boys ages 11-14 is a 6-week summer mentorship program running from June 17th to July 25th here in the Puna District. This will be a time filled with group adventures, guided experiences, and interactive activities that help boys grow into confident young men. Email [email protected] for details. The website with more details is www.simplyguided.net.
A “Climbing Camp” is happening for keiki 6-16 downtown Hilo from June 30th to July 3rd at Big Island Climbing, 126 Keawe Street. Cost is $150 but includes climbing shoes and an entire year membership to the rock climbing gym. https://bigislandclimbing.com/shop/class/keiki-camp-2025/ has all the details.
Another event which can be fun for all ages is a run/walk challenge thru a macadamia nut orchard. Happening June 22nd in Kea’au. Challenge yourself to complete a one mile loop in a macadamia nut orchard every 20 minutes for up to 3, 6, or 12 hours. If you finish before 20 minutes, you can rest and refuel before the 20 minute race starts. If you cannot complete a loop in 20 minutes, you will be eliminated. Teams of 2 can register for 12 hours with team members alternating miles to complete a potential total of 18 miles each. www.vivawell.org/events/ for more info and to register.
Another Kupuna friendly event is sponsored by the non-profit Moku O Keawe Malama na Kupuna. This group puts an emphasis and caring for our elders, especially with this food banquet! This month held at the Ainaloa Longhouse, 16-303 Ainaloa Blvd near Pahoa. Enjoy a freshly served farm-to-table meal, with diverse food choices and live entertainment. Talk story with your neighbours while you are at it. Limited seating, so pre-register with Melanie at 808-365-4829.
A few other enticing events caught my attention this month that I want to at least give some brief shout-out to. Many around the wonderful Edenic gardens we are learning to create and utilize here.
This included a La’au Lapaau workshop, happening Saturday, June 7th, for free at the Kea’au Community Center, 16-186 Pili Mua St, from 9 am to 3 pm. La’au is loosely translated into ‘plant medicine’. Learn about traditional Hawaiian healing arts and the spiritual knowledge associated with them. Call 808-657-4152 for more info, or go to kahunalaaulapaau.wixsite.com/kahunalalapaau
Folks are excited about an off-grid Permaculture Homestead and Food Forest gardening tour, held at the home and workspace of Wade Bauer, a long-time permaculture teacher here in Puna. Happening on Saturday, June 7th from 1-3 pm on 14-253 Papaya Farms Road. Attendance is limited, and the cost is $15 and requires pre-registration. Contact 808-494-7849 or [email protected] to make it happen.
One Monday, June 9th, at the Pahoa Public Library, there is a free presentation and Q & A about gardening here in Hawaii, from 5 to 7 pm. Located near the high school at 15-3070 Pahoa Kalapana Road. For more info, check out www.librarieshawaii.org/event/gardening-class-new-here-tips-tricks-gardening-in-hawaii/.
I hope folks out there find some interest in these current events that are helping to serve our community and make our island a better place to live. If anyone has any events to tip me off in the future, don’t hesitate to reach out. Mahalo for reading and for your support in weaving a community fabric we can all be proud to be a part of. Cheers!
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.