Kaʻū Taro Festival Fundraiser Succeeds for Second Year
By Tim DeLozier
All things kalo were celebrated on December 13 at the Kaʻū Taro Festival in Pāhala. Approximately 2,500 volunteers, participants, and public attendees gathered at the “Kāniwala Kalo O Kaʻū,” the second annual festival, to celebrate taro and to raise funds for scholarships for local students.
An enormous MAHALO to all of the sponsors, vendors, volunteers, performers, and other participants for making the 2025 Kāniwala Kalo O Kaʻū a huge success!
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 dedicated exclusively to raising funds for the ‘O Kaʻū Kākou Scholarships program. Over the last decade, OKK has awarded over $60,000 in scholarships to well-deserving Kaʻū District students. This year’s festival is expected to generate over $12,000 for 2026 scholarships.
The festival had a carnival feel and was 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 Kaʻū Taro Festival was 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.
More photos and videos can be viewed at https://www.okaukakou.org/2025-taro-festival-photos.
