Recently, I got to cover Holo Holo Music Festival for KPSU, Portland’s College Radio. Holo Holo is a series of island music festivals put on by Good Vibez Presents, the same folks that bring us Cali Roots, and many other events, with the most coveted line ups around! Holo Holo takes place in Sacramento, Tacoma, Las Vegas, Oceanside, and various cities around the country each year. I caught up with them at the Tacoma Dome this round, and it was one of the most magical events that I’ve been too! They featured Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Polynesian, and all types of worldly island music, culture, food and traditions in this spectacular weekend event.
The festival was hosted by Western Conference with Big Body Cisco, which was perfect. They really drew the whole thing together. Switch overs between bands felt invisible, because they held everyone in the palm of their hands. They were fun, engaging and cool AF. They played the tunes that literally turned the crowd into a party, thousands of people singing all the words together. The people were 100% entertained between each set. Vibes!
The entire arena was surrounded by a large marketplace of delicious foods, fun shopping, merch, etc. It was beautifully curated, but also varied and affordable. Facilities were safe and clean, with lots of friendly staff to help with whatever arises. Excellent accommodations.
Many of the bands in the lineup were new to me, so I was excited to experience them in such an epic setting.
There was a beautiful performance by Iam Tongi. He was the winner in last year’s American Idol competition, and has built a huge fan base.
Kapena very obviously had a huge following there as well! They are a family band of incredible Hawaiian musicians, including a protégé drummer. They were all beaming up there, and the audience felt that joy! I really enjoyed their set.
Iam Tongi returned to perform Don’t Say Goodbye with them. That was incredibly moving!
Throughout the evening, we enjoyed Fire Dancing from Tupu Le Afi! Their impressive skills brought a lovely magic to the night.
I was very excited to see one of my all time favorite bands, Steel Pulse. I listen to their music nearly everyday, and couldn’t wait for their up-close live experience… it was everything I had hoped it would be! David Hinds brought the same strong vocals and energy as ever, and he announced that the band was celebrating 50 years together.
Kolohe Kai was new to me, and I was so delighted to see the crowd completely lose their minds over this set! The frontman, Roman De Peralta, has been described as the Justin Bieber of Hawaiian music, and it seemed accurate. The ladies and younger crowd pulled up tight to the stage, singing and swooning in droves. Big island heartthrob vibes!
Big up to Good Vibez Presents for making this an all ages event! Youth involvement was highly respected here. There were babies to teens everywhere enjoying the scene with their families and friends, there were even children performing! Kapena’s incredibly talented drummer was just 12 years old, and there were many teens performing cultural fire dances. This inclusion is so appreciated, I would love to see more of this across the music scene.
This was my kind of gathering, I can’t wait to return to Holo Holo again! It was warm and welcoming, fun & uplifting, with the most outstanding musical acts around. This is the kind of community that I crave, and I know many do, the love was immeasurable . I saw big groups and families all over the place enjoying the festival , so many smiles, so much laughter. Authentic positivity!
Thank you Good Vibez and Holo Holo!
I’ll see you again soon💕🤙🎶
Love, SuzyQ
