Mission Bayfest 2026: Day Two

Mission Bayfest 2026 continued to spread musical joy across Mariner’s Point Park in the Mission Beach area of San Diego, California on October 17th, 2026. Day Two was a celebration of Pacific Island and Polynesian influences, with five acts having Hawaiian roots, another all the way from Guam, and another GRAMMY-winning group entirely of Pacific Islander heritage.

Southern California-based relaxation drink Kamello sponsored the Stage on the Sand, with Saturday’s lineup bringing the same chill island vibe that its beverage does. There were lounge chairs, picnic tables, and games provided, as well as samples of Kamello available. This setup is usually something reserved for VIP festival-goers, but it was available to everyone, which was a nice touch on a very hot weekend!

The first artist on the Kamello Stage was Kela Sako, a singer-songwriter from Hilo, Hawaii.

Now based in San Diego, Sako looked and sounded amazing, as did her backup singer. She has a sound that draws on jazz, hip hop, and R&B. The whole band was dressed in a cream color, which coincidentally happened to match the color scheme of the stage sponsor.

The next performer on the Kamello Stage was singer-songwriter Kekoa the Artist, who grew up on Maui and Oahu — now also calling San Diego home. Overflowing with rizz, Kekoa and band drew many cheers from the crowd on the sand enjoying the show.

Orange County’s Eureka Sound closed out the Stage on the Sand for the day, consisting of childhood friends Ryan Kordich (on keys/vocals) and David Yun (on guitar/vocals). They had a horn section for this show, which really added some soul to their sound.

The SMKFLWR main stage stayed lit all day long.

DJ Unite, DJ Chris Cutz and DJ Scooter kept the ever-growing crowd moving between bands, with the stage showcasing Guam’s For Peace Band as an easy entry into another long, hot day at the beach. Ooklah the Moc, based out of Oahu, introduced roots reggae to the day with an energetic and engaging set. With multiple vocalists and a horn section, their sound was rich and full.

Hawaii’s Landon McNamara then slowed things down for a minute on acoustic guitar. Part of Oahu’s famous North Shore surfing community, McNamara not only has made a name in music, but has also won many competitive surfing events while also working as a model!

As the sun set, Virginia’s SOJA absolutely crushed.

For those who don’t know, frontman Jacob Hemphill’s voice is a cross between John Mayer and a Marley, with the entire band boasting positive vibes when you see them live. SOJA is just an awesome band to witness, from start to finish.

The aforementioned GRAMMY-recipients Common Kings had the crowd buzzing even before they appeared onstage. The sun had set and darkness had consumed Mariner’s Point, letting smoke visibly rise in the lights. The band kept the stage dark and moody throughout the set, adding a cinematic element.

Before we knew it, it was time to close Saturday down with the Kolohe Kai experience.

The set began with videos promoting mental health through positive songs, before six Hawaiian dancers in matching dresses and leis took the stage. Kolohe Kai himself then appeared, introducing the crowd to his unique celebration of Hawaiian culture; it felt like we were suddenly at a luau on a distant island. Between songs, Kolohe Kai talked to the crowd like he was catching up with old friends at a backyard party — all easy smiles and warm banter. Many islanders were present on this night, thrilled to be transported back home across the Pacific Ocean for a couple of hours. It was another wonderful day of music and camaraderie, with another full day to go!

Photography by Johnnie Crow & Olivia Valdes; recap by Johnnie Crow

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