After several months of meetings and planning, the Pau Hana Pa'ina joined Downtown Hilo's traditional First Friday line-up of events last evening.
We counted 13 food trucks, carts and other food vendors who lined up at the Mo'oheau Bandstand Park and fed the strolling public royally...Many families with children strolling, eating and enjoying the balmy and breezy evening...
while three bands took turns entertaining the crowd...
"Bruddah Waltah, Randy Lorenzo and Tha Michael Strand Band"
From Mo'oheau Bandstand to the upper part of Mamo Street and all through downtown, crowds were entertained with food, music, the Art Walk and The Hiccup Circus performers, as well as drummers, face painters and yoga demonstrations. Restaurants were jammed packed and several downtown stores held their own in-store events.
There was fire and 'drama' at Joe and April Neal's @IslandWoodFired Pizza truck - Joe and April were in charge of organizing the food vendors... and if you haven't tasted their pizza yet, you're in for a treat!
We ran into quite a few people we knew...enjoyed the drummers...we tasted and sampled all kinds of food...and took food home...
...and Anthony got interviewed by the Zero Waste - Recycle Hawai'i people who were present educating the public about the three Rs...
The Pau Hana Pa'ina was the inspiration of interested private citizens and made possible with the cooperation of the Hawai'i County Mayor's Office, the Hilo Downtown Improvement Association, the County of Hawai'i Park & Recreations Department, and the cooperation of the Police and Fire Departments who all graciously sent representatives to attend all of the organizational meetings.
Mahalo to all for helping put on such a fun event for our Downtown Hilo's First Friday line-up. We hope the Pau Hana Pa'ina catches on and we can continue to enjoy events like this in our beautiful Hilo Town!