WE ARE KAʻŪ

Approximately 2,500 volunteers, participants and general public attendees gathered on Saturday, December 13th in Pahala to celebrate all things kalo at the second annual Ka’ū Taro Festival "Kāniwala Kalo O Ka’ū". For anyone who didn’t attend, the festival featured a potpourri of everything kalo. There were dozens of vendors selling kalo-related products ranging from ono food, baked goods, crafts, art, apparel, jewelry and more. In addition to vendors, the festival had a Youth Ali'i Court, kalo-themed games, hands-on poi pounding, a kalo photo booth, keiki face painting, free keiki IDs, kalo information and education. This festival originated from a desire to hold an event that is exclusively dedicated to raising funds for the ‘O Ka’ū Kākou Scholarships program. Over the last decade, OKK has awarded over $60,000 in scholarships to well-deserving Ka’ū District students. This year’s festival is expected to generate over $12,000 for 2025 scholarships. The festival has a carnival feel and is family oriented with a central focus on youth. What stood out this year was that most of the activities and performance groups appealed to and included local students. The most special aspect of the Ka’ū Taro Festival is witnessing so many in the community come together in the common goal of celebrating kalo in honor of local youth. It’s very inspiring that so many people share a passion for both kalo and local youth.  An enormous MAHALO to all of the sponsors, vendors, volunteers, performers and other participants for making the 2025 Kāniwala Kalo O Ka’ū a huge success!