Kupulau Bash

Good Food and Great Music: Reliving the Kupulau Bash

Live reggae filled the air, the food truck lane was packed, and the Library Lanai was buzzing — last Wednesday's Kupulau Bash: Grindz & Vibez was exactly the mid-semester reset the campus needed. Students, faculty, and staff from UH Hilo and Hawaiʻi Community College came together for an afternoon of live performances from The Project and The Steppas, an energetic DJ, and local vendors including Duck Fat, Aloe Kine Smoothies, and KG Mexican Food. Sponsored by Administrative Affairs, this safe, alcohol- and drug-free spring celebration lived up to its name: great grindz, great vibez.

Check out the video reel to catch all the best moments and see if you can spot yourself or your friends enjoying the festivities!

Of course, the bash wouldn’t have been complete without the "grindz!" The Food Truck Lane between the Student Services Building and Campus Center was packed with delicious options from local vendors like Duck Fat, Aloe Kine Smoothies, and KG Mexican Food, alongside several other community favorites. Extending a warm welcome to our friends at the Hawaiʻi Community College campus, this safe, alcohol- and drug-free event filled the campus with smiles, laughter, and a true sense of our shared spirit.

UH Hilo students gathered around an outdoor table, smiling and sharing food during Kupulau Bash Students enjoy food and time together at Kupulau Bash, part of a campus-wide celebration of community and good vibes

Food vendors preparing and serving hot meals to a crowd of students at Kupulau Bash Vendors from KG Mexican serve up fresh, ono dishes to a steady line of students during Kupulau Bash

Musician performing on keyboard and singing into a microphone at Kupulau Bash Juan Martinez on key during The Project’s set bringing energy and music to the Kupulau Bash crowd

Guitarist singing into a microphone during a live performance at Kupulau Bash Chad Akamine on guitar with The Project keeping the crowd engaged with live music at Kupulau Bash

Event sign explaining how to redeem food tokens at Kupulau Bash on UH Hilo campus Kupulau Bash attendees pick up tokens to enjoy food from local vendors across campus

Student receiving a cold drink from a food truck vendor through a service window A refreshing drink from Aloe Kine Smoothing serving up with aloha at Kupulau Bash

Food vendor smiling and posing while working behind a cooking station at Kupulau Bash The team from KG Mexican sharing good vibes while serving the UH Hilo community

Three UH Hilo students walking together, smiling and holding food at Kupulau Bash Students enjoy food, friendship, and the festive atmosphere at Kupulau Bash

Musicians singing into microphones during a live performance at Kupulau Bash Live music from The Steppas adds to the vibrant energy of Kupulau Bash

Group of UH Hilo students smiling together at a table with drinks and snacks during Kupulau Bash Friends gather to enjoy food, drinks, and community at Kupulau Bash on the UH Hilo campus

Group of UH Hilo students and community members posing together and smiling in front of a live performance at Kupulau Bash Students and community members share smiles and shaka at Kupulau Bash while enjoying live music from The Steppas

Musician playing bass guitar during a live performance at Kupulau Bash The Steppas’ bass player holding down the bass line during Kupulau Bash

Two students smiling and holding colorful drinks while enjoying Kupulau Bash festivities Students cool off with refreshing drinks from Aloe Kine Smoothies while enjoying the Kupulau Bash celebration

Group of UH Hilo faculty, staff, and family members smiling together at Kupulau Bash Faculty, staff, and ʻohana come together to enjoy food, music, and community at Kupulau Bash

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Kupulau Bash

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