The Ohana Festival has important stories to tell

If you've been to a forward-thinking live music and lifestyle festival in the last decade, you've probably witnessed the proliferation of podcasters and speakers who are tied, often only tangentially, to the sounds booked for the stages. Ohana FestivalHowever, he goes out of his way to find focused storytellers who are deeply connected to the causes his creators care most about, with themes like environmentalism and activism prominent among them. A multi-stage weekend event representing the partnership between Live Nation, Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam manager Mark Smith, held on the beaches of Dana Point, California since 2016. The event's repeat performance in 2024 will feature Pearl Jam, Devo, Alanis Morissette, Sting, Maren Morris, Dogstar (Keanu Reeves' band), Jenny Lewis, Black Pumas and more.

The event's Storyteller Stage, taking place this weekend, will include topics ranging from ocean health and environmental justice to Indigenous voices and the soul of what true community means in the 21st century, in an ideal world and in reality . “[It] provides a unique opportunity to shine a light on individuals, projects and ideas that are shaping a better world,” says activist Michael Long, who curates an incredible collection of Storytellers speakers and panels each year. “The idea is to give participants the opportunity to be inspired. It’s not always about knowledge or awards. It's really about hope and action and connecting humanity and our planet. The storytellers are not just leading scientists, thought leaders, creators and visionaries – they are individuals who reflect the movement of which Ohana Fest is a part.”

Emily Benson runs Pearl Jam's Vitalology Foundationa 501(c)(3) organization that puts the band's words into action by creating tangible, positive change on indigenous rights, environmental issues and homelessness. In addition to Long, Benson also works on Ohana's programs at The Cove, a dedicated environmental space on site. “From the beginning, the festival has been committed to supporting local nonprofits and their activism,” says Benson. “Every year the festival grows through the way we do it, and Ohana has committed to the Vitalogy Foundation (in 2021) to support this work more directly.”

“The storytellers are not just leading scientists, thought leaders, creators and visionaries – they are individuals who reflect the movement of which Ohana Fest is a part.” — Activist Michael Long

This support has come into clearer focus with a “border circle” focused on the most important and beneficial aspects Stage of storytellers and the group of non-profit organizations affected by it. For 2024, these include nonprofit organizations (both national and local). California State Parks, Doheny State Beach, San Onofre Parks Foundation, Surfrider Foundation, Native like water, Ocean Institute, Planned Parenthood, Mothers demand action, Captain Paul Watson Foundation, SeaLegacy, Healing surfersAnd Project RED. The latter foundation focuses on overdose treatment and Narcan use and education, a cause that Pearl Jam welcomes to its touring stages to talk about its need.

Fest founder Eddie Vedder performs with The Strokes at Ohana 2019 / Photo for FLOOD by Wilson Lee

To ensure that the audience listening to Ohana's 2024 Storytellers (including filmmaker/SeaLegacy co-founder Paul Nicklen, conservationist Cristina “Mitty” Mittermeier, and Urban Ocean founder/marine biologist Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson) focuses on the causes structural changes were made to make them necessary. “The biggest infrastructural change is that we now have shade over the Storytellers Stage and more seating,” says Benson of the crucial convenience this area provides. “Having more shade and more seating allows us to really attract an audience to our panels. The Storyteller Stage is now a destination point within the festival. People here will wait and listen and engage with this area for hours until the headliners show up.”

The other big change to the festival this year is that the fundraising aspects have gotten even better. Yes, Ohana ticket prices have always supported non-profit organizations, but the festival is now additionally hosting auctions to further support these organizations and provide more infrastructure and festival space to inspire. “In recent years, we have introduced additional fundraising options to provide even greater financial support to these nonprofits,” says Benson. “That's why we offer things that can be a real benefit to festival goers, things they wouldn't normally get – like a raffle for sitting in the artist's crow's nest to see the headliner.” We're holding out too Online auctions which are more geared towards this year’s participating artists and storytellers.”

Photo by Lindsey Byrnes

“The Storyteller Stage is now a destination point within the festival. People here will wait and listen and engage with this area for hours until the headliners show up.” —Emily Benson of the Vitalogy Foundation

As for the overall Ohana Fest and the Storyteller Stage speakers, Benson explains that Ohana aims to focus on the conditions of the oceans and our environment, as well as Indigenous peoples and the needs of the activist community.

To accomplish this and more, Benson and her team benefit from partnering with Long, a “gem of a human being” tied to the most direct actions of his activists and speakers. Ask Long how he has helped Storytellers Stage evolve into what it is now, and he maintains that every evolution is a reflection of the audience that attends Ohana Fest. “We focus on stories that reflect local and global issues, but from an individual’s perspective,” Long says. “People are moved by people, and when we as individuals can tell a story that conveys hope and inspiration rather than fear and despair, we have the chance to change the world.” The Pillars of Oceans, Activism, Indigenous Voices, of art, community and environmental justice touch everyone.” FL