People gathered around the Mooheau Park Bandstand to experience live music and Portuguese culture on Saturday afternoon during Summer Festa in Hilo.
There were cultural and historical exhibits; food including fresh malasadas, Portuguese bean soup, and Portuguese sausage dogs; a living history of Perreira Zendejas featuring actress and playwright Jackie Pualani Johnson; music by ‘ukulele master Brittni Paiva, Portuguese fado singer Ramona Viera, and the Hawaii County Band.
The Summer Festa is helping to raise the $150,000 needed to meet the fundraising goal for the future Hawaii Island Portuguese Chamber of Commerce Cultural and Educational Center.
After meeting the fundraising goal, HIPCC can sign a construction contract for the long-envisioned facility at the corner of Komohana and Ponahawai streets in Hilo.