Spectra Fest 2025 is described by its organizers as a global movement that brings creatives across all spectrums – from art, music and culture to film, education, business and beyond – to stimulate the local economy and strengthen Isle communities.
And last year’s inaugural event on Kaua’i, where Noah Gordines was born and raised, “was a proof of concept,” said the executive director of CreativeMornings Honolulu and the Spectra Foundation, which puts on the festival with support from sponsors.
The 2024 event raised $25,000 from in-kind donations and attracted 5,000 attendees across five days, per the organization.
When planning Spectra Fest’s return, Gordines told Aloha State Daily, taking time to make it to Lahaina next was intentional. “As the community continues to heal, we aim to bring joy and positive energy in the form of free art, school-based activities, and more.”
This year, the event will also host a free film screening from the Hawaiʻi International Film Festival, or HIFF. It will be held across different sites in Lahaina, including Lahaina Intermediate School and The Branches at Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows from June 9-13.
Gordines said that giving all artists a platform was one motive of the festival, but the overall goal is “to look out for everyone and grow as a community.”
“We’d rather join forces and bring partners in to make a bigger, collective impact – so we’re about collaboration versus competition,” he said. “Another goal of Spectra Fest is spreading the word within Hawai’i communities and beyond.”
The festival is led by Gordines, who is experienced in graphic design, business development and marketing along with his wife, Lauryn, who has worked more than 15 years in design, and more recently, dabbles in mural art. The pair are volunteer co-founders of CreativeMornings Honolulu, a local chapter of creatives that host monthly lecture series for free.
Spectra Fest 2025 will feature Edwin Ushiro, speaker for CreativeMonrnings Honolulu; Jasper Wong, World Wide Walls (formerly POW! WOW! Hawaii); Beckie Stocchetti, executive director of HIFF; Aly Ishikun, who leads Art + Flea; music by Chaz Umamoto, award-winning producer and songwriter, TheBrewz; as well as local artists from Maui.
According to Gordines, partners for the event so far include the state Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism, Adobe, ALOHA Collection, HPM Building Supply, Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows, Sherwin-Williams Paint Store and Sun Bum, among others.
Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros can be reached at kelsey@alohastatedaily.com.
