[PICS] Concert Shots: Kokua Festival 2010

Photos by Jamm Aquino / jaquino@starbulletin.com

Star-Bulletin Staff
features@starbulletin.com

Ziggy Marley and Taj Mahal joined Jack Johnson and local openers Jake Shimabukuro and Anuhea at the 2010 Kokua Festival last weekend at the Waikiki Shell. The two-day event returned after a break in 2009.

Star-Bulletin staff photographer Jamm Aquino was at the Shell on April 23 to capture the action. Read more

HILife Cover Story: Kokua Festival 2010

Fostering a connection

Associated Press

KOKUA FESTIVAL 2010
Featuring Jack Johnson, Ziggy Marley, Taj Mahal and the Hula Blues Band, Jake Shimabukuro and Anuhea & The Green
» Where: Waikiki Shell, 2805 Monsarrat Ave.
» When: 4:30 p.m. April 23 and 24
» Cost: Sold out
» Note: Additional parking available at Kapiolani Community College; shuttle service also available from Haleiwa and Laie to Waikiki (for details, visit www.hsblinks.com/2b1)
» On the Net: www.jackjohnsonmusic.com, www.kokuafestival.com, www.kanuhawaii.org

By Gary C.W. Chun
gchun@starbulletin.com

Jack and Kim Johnson are back home on the North Shore and ready to do the Kokua Festival again.

After taking a break last year while Johnson concentrated on a world tour — documented in part on CD and DVD on “Jack Johnson en Concert” — the couple and their staff are set to present the sixth iteration of the popular outdoor fest at the Waikiki Shell this weekend.

A benefit for the Johnsons’ nonprofit Kokua Hawaii Foundation for environmental education, this year’s lineup may lack the overall star power that previous Kokua Festivals had, but it does have a solid group of acts in Ziggy Marley and Jake Shimabukuro (doing solo sets) and veteran and former island resident Taj Mahal and his Hula Blues Band, plus a road-tested Anuhea Jenkins and her backup band, The Green.

Johnson — sporting a new look (folksinger-ish, with a mop of brown curls and a trimmed beard) — and his reliable backup of Zach Gill, Merlo Podlewski and Adam Topol will be trotting out fan favorites and including newer songs from his “To the Sea” album, to be released nationally on June 1.

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2010 Kokua Festival lineup announced

Marley, Mahal among this year’s featured performers

Star-Bulletin Staff
features@starbulletin.com

Jack Johnson’s Kokua Festival returns this year with a lineup that includes Ziggy Marley and Taj Mahal.

After taking a break in ‘09, the sixth Kokua Festival will take place April 23 and 24 at the Waikiki Shell.

In addition to full-band performances by Johnson and Mahal, and a solo acoustic set by Marley, two local acts — Jake Shimabukuro and Anuhea — will round out the concert bill.

Tickets for Hawaii residents only will go on sale Feb. 20 at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000. Tickets for the out-of-state general public will go on sale the following day, Sunday the 21st, also through Ticketmaster.

From a press release issued by California-based publicist, Fresh and Clean Media:

After taking a year off, the Kokua Festival is back in 2010. Hawaii’s own Jack Johnson is proud to host the 6th Kokua Festival and share the stage with Ziggy Marley and the legendary Taj Mahal on Earth Day weekend – Friday, April 23rd and Saturday, April 24th at the Waikiki Shell in Honolulu, Hawaii.

In addition to full band performances by Jack Johnson and Taj Mahal, and a solo acoustic set by Ziggy Marley, this year’s incredible lineup will be rounded out by ukulele extraordinaire, Jake Shimabukuro, and Maui-based songstress, Anuhea.

2010 will also bring Johnson’s sixth studio album (to be titled) released June 1 on his own Brushfire Records. Following the release Johnson will embark on his 2010 world tour, kicking off in Europe on June 16. All proceeds from the festival go to the Kokua Hawaii Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by Jack and Kim Johnson in 2003 to support environmental education programs in the schools and communities of Hawaii.

The funds raised from the Kokua Festival will be used to further support school recycling on Oahu, sponsor field trips, and grow ‘AINA In Schools, a farm-to-school program. The foundation has also expanded its community outreach with their Simplify the Holidays campaign and the new Plastic Free Hawaii coalition.

Back for its third consecutive year, the Keiki Kokua Day will take place the day before the festival and will recognize Hawaii school groups who have completed outstanding
Kokua Earth Action Projects (KEAP). KEAP, another school program of the Kokua Hawaii Foundation, guides environmental service learning initiatives lead by student groups to create long lasting change in classrooms, schools or communities. The Keiki Kokua Day event celebrates these student leaders who malama (care for) our islands with entertainment by Jack Johnson and other Kokua Festival artists, educational activities, videos and exchanges from participating KEAP school groups.

In addition to the eclectic mix of live music, the Kokua Village features over 50 booths including eco-friendly clothing from Patagonia, all natural food from Kashi, and organic yogurt from Stonyfield Farm. Kokua Festival attendees can try local food and beverages, learn about products and services from green companies, view alternative energy demonstrations, participate in interactive games and crafts for kids, and get information about environmentally active groups from around the islands.