General Festival Information:

 

We are extremely excited to finally bring our festival to our home base in Puna. “BellyAcres” is a 12-acre jungle retreat collectively owned by 35 international jugglers and visionaries.  Since 1987 we have been homesteading the raw land and building up our facilities.  In the near future we plan to build a Seaview Performing Arts Center for Education to serve the Pacific region with a first class venue for circus arts related workshops.  This promises to be another unique and exciting festival featuring activities and workshops only available at the Hawaiian Jugging Festival.  We appreciate your input and ideas for the future so we can continue making this the festival that people strive to return too! 

 

Here is some information that will make your stay more enjoyable:

Camping:

This is a camping-based festival.  Please camp in designated areas.  Keep your tent zippered and your rain fly in place at all times, to ward off bugs and sudden tropical rain.  Stake down your tent as the winds are unpredictable. Camping is permitted in designated areas.  Plastic tarps and extra stakes are available.

What to Bring:

Camping:

1.      Rain-proof, bug-proof tent with stakes.  A tarp for the ground would be desirable.

2.      Flashlight with extra batteries.

3.      Lantern

4.      Sleeping bag (summer weight) and comfortable pad as the ground is very hard.

5.      Two or more towels, we have no laundry facilities.

6.      Bug repellant

 

Excursions:

1.      Sturdy walking shoes that may get scuffed on lava

2.      Snorkel gear.  We will probably have daily excursions to Kehena Beach where we will probably see whales and dolphins.  It is an unprotected bay and it is not recommended to swim without at least fins.  Reasonable gear and beach towels are available at Wal-Mart near the airport.

3.      Canteen or water bottle with a strap

4.      Camera and binoculars

5.      Bug repellant

 

Self Protection:

1.      Sunscreen, waterproof and at least 30 SPF

2.      Long sleeve t-shirt

3.      Hat with brim

4.      Some warm clothes, sweatshirt, jeans, lightweight jacket.  Winter weather can be unpredictable and rain protection will be appreciated.  It can even be cool at night especially of there is snow on the volcano, yes snow in Hawaii.

5.      Rain is not just possible, it is a certainty.  You will use an umbrella and/or a lightweight parka if you bring it.

6.      Lightweight long pants and a long sleeve t-shirt; this is the best defense for bug bites.

7.      Snake bite kit.  (Just kidding, there are no poisonous snakes or spiders on the Big Island)

8.      Bug repellant

 

Juggling equipment, musical instruments, sports equipment, costumes and other misc. toys….

Please also note:

BellyAcres is in a remote area 15 miles from the village of Pahoa and 45 minutes from the nearest real town of Hilo (2nd largest city in the state).  It is advisable to stock up on supplies when you arrive.  There is everything you need in Hilo (health food store, liquor store, Wal-Mart, etc.)  After you arrive you won’t want to make the several hour trip to get supplies (see self protection above, post cards, stamps, beer, sunscreen, etc.).

Meal Plan:

The meal plan includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  The first meal is dinner on the 12th and the last meal is lunch on the 19th.  There is a dining area and all utensils, mugs, etc are supplied.  We will try to accommodate special dietary restrictions but you have to let us know well in advance.  If you want special snacks remember to get them in town before you arrive.  The night of the 19th we will have a clean-up party and eat leftovers or go to Pahoa for dinner.  Everyone will be leaving on the morning of the 20th for Spencer Park.

Security:

We have people assigned to security and over the years we have had very little trouble.  Members and security people will be wearing bright wrist bands, feel free to speak to us over any concerns.  We will provide a secure place for valuables and we strongly suggest you do not leave them in your tent.

Misc:

There is a bulletin board with announcements and schedules etc.  Got a question?  Look for the responsible person on the list on the bulletin board.  Reservations for kayaks & outriggers are at the bar.

First Aid:

Sunburn is no fun, it can put you in the hospital.  Use a good waterproof sunscreen and wear a t-shirt when snorkeling.  Wear a wide brim hat for hiking and beachcombing.  It's unlikely any one will see a centipede or scorpion but be cautious. Take Benedril antihistamine if you get stung.

 

Expect to encounter a mosquito or two (thousand).  If you don’t scratch a bite it will disappear in a half hour.  If you scratch it, I told you so.  A bleeding bite can become infected and can lead to a staph infection.  Make sure all open wounds are treated.

 

First aid is available; Irene is our first aid coordinator.  Staph bacteria is in the air and in the water.  ALL CUTS SHOULD BE TREATED!!!

Transportation:

Book your inter-island or direct flights in and out of Hilo Airport, not Kona!  If you have to overnight in Honolulu, a cheap place to stay is the Shower Tree Inn (808) 833-1411.  They are only a $5 taxi ride from the airport, it is hostel type accommodation.  There are also a few hotels near the Honolulu airport.

 

Rent a car. We recommend that groups share rental cars. Prices vary, check around. For a good discount tell the car rental agency that you want the Costco discount, often this is 30% or even more. You might also try www.priceline.com. Budget has a deal on pickups if you book on-line.

 

HVC's shuttle van will be picking up a few times a day from the airport on the 12th and possibly some other days. Please coordinate your pickup with Lexy at dislexy@yahoo.com, you do not want to be stuck with a long wait at the airport or a $100 taxi fare to get here. Once you arrive in Hawaii it will be too late to be assured pickup.

Spencer Beach Park Bonus!

We have booked camping reservations at Spencer Beach Park on the Kona side for three nights of Feb. 20th – 22nd. We held several festivals at this beach and it’s hot and sunny with whales and turtles galore. Space is limited and late bookings are not assured so please let us know in advance.

 

Spencer Park is closed for cleaning on the 18-19th (no camping permits available), so those at the festival may continue to camp at BellyAcres for the night of the 19th (no charge) if they wish and then leave for Spencer Park on the 20th.  Festival attendees may also wish to explore the island on their own for that evening and night and meet our group at Spencer Park on the 20th.

 

Dining options for the evening of the 19th:  Potluck dinner at BellyAcres (if there are enough leftovers), Thai, Mexican and Italian in Pahoa, deluxe veggie/fish at Kalani Honua (1 mile from Bellyacres) and Verna's for burgers.

 

Sleeping options for the night of the 19th:  BellyAcres, hotels, Manago Hotel in Captain Cook

808-323-2642.  For camping at other beach parks around the island go to http://www.ehawaiigov.org/Hawaii_County/camping/exe/camp.cgi for info and reservations.  Especially Hookena beach is sweet if you go the south way around and it is available.