HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-05-08 Ashley Kierkiewicz press release re Puna Bash on May 11
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT:
Ashley Kierkiewicz
ashley.kierkiewicz@hawaiicounty.gov
(808) 961-8265 • (808) 989-4004
‘ACTIVATE PUNA’ Block Party Coming to Pahoa on May 11
(PAHOA, HAWAII, MAY 8, 2019)—The public is invited to the ‘Activate Puna’ block party on Saturday, May
11, from 4:00-10:00pm. The event features a street closure along Pahoa Village Road between Akeakamai
Loop and Kauhale Street.
Pahoa Village Road between Akeakamai and Kauhale will be closed to vehicular traffic between 12:00-
11:00pm.
‘Activate Puna’ is a community revitalization and pono placemaking project that brings people together
for enriching experiences. The May 11 event celebrates the community’s unity and strength one year
after the Kilauea eruption. The block party features two stages of entertainment, a “Puna Strong” flags
exhibit, live floral installations, mural unveils, creative vendors, food pop-ups, and more. The event is
open to all, with a suggested donation of $5, and free for keiki 12 and under; all monies raised through
these donations will go to organizations in Puna uplift community including Bodacious Women, The
Pahoa Schools Foundation, Malama o Puna, Mainstreet Pahoa Association, and Kua O Ka La Charter
School.
Folks are encouraged to bring chairs to sit and enjoy performances by Jennie & Kanoa, Boom Draw,
Positive Motion, Uncle’s Awa Band with Ikaika Marzo, Loeka Longakit & the Sound Mind Band, and more.
Parking is available at the Pahoa District Park parking lot; carpooling and ride sharing is encouraged.
At the core of ‘Activate Puna’ is a desire to shine a light on Puna’s people, culture and stories, spur
economic activity, build social cohesion, beautify community spaces, and showcase Puna’s identity –
strong, resilient, and resourceful.
Activations are set to take place in Puna throughout 2019. ‘Activate Puna’ kicked off with a mural at the
Pahoa Community Aquatic Center. ‘Above and Beneath’ is a 3,000 square-foot public art piece inspired by
Puna’s changing landscape captured through the lens of Andrew Hara during the 2018 Kilauea eruption;
the artwork is by David ‘MEGGS’ Hooke and pays homage to the island’s celestial elements of earth, wind
and fire.
A large-scale mural is near completion at Pahoa High & Intermediate School. The school’s mural design is
by Kailii Kaulukukui, and was inspired by PHIS students’ interpretation of what makes Puna unique, mauka
to makai, and what resiliency looks like. PHIS students were given opportunities to paint alongside the
artist during the painting process. Murals in the ‘Activate Puna’ series were coordinated by Temple
Children.
A food activation – Taste of Puna – is planned for Fall 2019 to elevate area farmers, tastemakers and the
island’s agricultural scene.
‘Activate Puna’ is driven by Council Member Ashley Kierkiewicz and the Council District 4 team. More
than three dozen community members are involved in the planning and execution of the ‘Activate Puna’
series.
‘Activate Puna’ is made possible by support from County Departments of Research & Development,
Public Works, and Parks & Recreation, First Hawaiian Bank, KWXX, Ormat, Honsador Lumber, Hawaii
Electric Light Company, Grand Naniloa Resort, Temple Children, Andrew Hara, Hawaii Tracker, Circle of
Life Art Studio, The Wave, and Mainstreet Pahoa Association.
‘Activate Puna’ is a part of a larger effort to Activate Big Island. The idea is to create a model for
community engagement and empowerment that can be duplicated in towns around the island.
For more information, visit www.hawaiicounty.gov/activatepuna
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MEDIA NOTE: The following content available for download here:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1fddyDoTi1HEOVyPmxQjUfS2Cg0lX1mkS
Activate Puna social media promo tile
Activate Puna logo variations
Photos of ‘Above and Beneath’ mural at Pahoa Community Aquatic Center (PC Andrew Hara)
Photos of Puna Strong flags (several of more than 3,000 to be installed at May 11 block party)
Photos of the PHIS mural will be captured Friday, May 10, and can be made available upon request.