Holo Holo 2025 in Tacoma: Family-Style Vibes, Big Voices, and a Weekend That Felt Like a Reunion
Back in Tacoma with a larger food footprint, a new photo-op location, and one side of the bleachers closed for production flow, Holo Holo 2025 delivered a family-style weekend that felt like a reunion more than a concert.
Day One — Heavy Lineup, Easy Vibes
Opening day ran deep from Seven Suns to J Boog, a steady climb of groove and sing-backs. The expanded food options were noticeable (and welcome), and the relocated Holo Holo photo spot kept lines moving even with one bleacher side closed. The through-line was feel: flags waving, keiki dancing at the rail, and the kind of backstage hugs that define this festival.
Day Two — Early Heat, Big Moments
By , the bowl already looked strong. Kanaka Fyah turned the opener into a full-venue singalong; energy spiked again with explosive runs from Kaʻikena Scanlan and Ooklah the Moc, who set the tone with a loud “Strictly aloha today!!” from the stage.
We grabbed chicken and rice from JN House and watched a cross-section of the scene—young, old, even a familiar face in a wheelchair—dancing the whole time.
A buzz built while fans chanted for Aaradhna as her set slipped 15 minutes. When she finally walked out, the entire Dome roared, with musicians filming from the wings and the crowd singing every lyric—an intimate, goosebump moment in a massive room.
Stan Walker followed, all rock-star polish, phones lighting up the stands in sync. In a festival highlight, Aaradhna and Stan Walker crossed over into each other’s sets—an easy, generous exchange that matched the weekend’s spirit.
A Cultural Crescendo: Tupu Le Afi
Then came a cultural crescendo: Tupu Le Afi, a Samoan fireknife troupe, lit up the Dome with an athletic, drum-driven display that linked Holo Holo’s party to deeper island traditions.
Schedules ran a touch behind in places, but the flow stayed friendly—more like island time than interruption.
Closing Run — Katchafire & Common Kings
Katchafire arrived to a hyped crowd and invited Fia out for Bob Marley’s “Don’t Worry,” a unison-chorus moment that stretched from floor to upper bowl. Backstage, their pre-set chant carried pure island hype.
Common Kings closed like, well, kings—electric end-to-end, precision vocals over pocket-tight drums and bass, a victory-lap finish for Tacoma’s 2025 chapter.
Why This Year Worked
- Operations: more food, smarter photo-op placement, and a controlled bowl (one bleacher side closed) kept traffic sane.
- Community: artists cheering artists; families, elders, and first-timers together; a festival that centers Polynesian and Hawaiian voices on the continent.
- Culture: the fireknife performance by Tupu Le Afi tied the weekend’s joy to lineage and protocol.
Until Next Year
Until next year, Tacoma—mahalo for the memories.
