By Miguel Gonzalez
Editor
All photos By Melanie Francisca
(North Shore)–Wanderlust co-founders Sean Hoess and Jeff Krasno never really imagined their successful series of yoga and music festivals would come to Oahu’s North Shore, but now that it is a reality, they are already thinking big for next year. “Festivals are about community and we want to embrace the Hawaiian culture and way of life,” Krasno said Saturday.
Krasno, who five years ago co-founded the music and yoga festival declared the inaugural Oahu edition of Wanderlust as “the single most successful first time event we’ve ever had.”
Krasno, co-founder of the record label and artist management company Velour Music Group, first thought about creating Wanderlust when he became captivated by the yoga movement and envisioned he could combine the experience with natural settings to further inspire participants.
Wanderlust’s core mission is to create community around mindful living. Mindful living is a conscious, value-based approach to leading a sane & healthy life. With those core values in mind, Hoess and Krasno decided to take a chance on the fabled North Shore of Oahu and bring their formula of yoga and music here: the results paid off.
“We are delighted with the response. Not only from people coming from the mainland, but from locals embracing Wanderlust and making it their own experience,” Hoess said.
According to Hoess and Krasno, Wanderlust will look in 2014 to support local farmers and local artists in order to offer participants a unique true Hawaii experience.
The partnership with Turtle Bay Resort has been almost natural and both impresarios expect that the 2014 version of Wonderland Oahu, not only shatter attendance records, but to also reflect more adopted island traditions. “Next year we need to have a shrimp truck!” explained Hoess.
www.wanderlustfestival.com
Wanderlust’s Simple Principles:
Practice Yoga
Practicing yoga helps clear the mind, tone the body, and heal the spirit. Wanderlust is committed to creating inspiring places to practice with a broad array of the world’s most accomplished teachers.
Eat Well
We are what we eat, and at Wanderlust — and in our personal lives — we support local farms and purchase organic, sustainably grown products whenever possible.
Be Green
It is our solemn responsibility to be good stewards of the earth. Wanderlust is committed to sustainable practices, including waste reduction, recycling, composting, the utilization of renewable energy sources and carbon offsetting. Sustainability is a moving target, and we also pledge to improve year after year.
Practice Purpose
Wanderlust is a purpose driven company, and we build partnerships with like-minded companies who value social good as well as the bottom line. Some of our greatest power lies in what we do, what we purchase and who we associate with.
Create Awareness
Many of the great challenges facing us today, from environmental damage to food shortages to disease to political upheaval, can be improved or solved through mass action. But mass action requires awareness, so wherever possible, we will use the Wanderlust platform to highlight — and with luck, resolve — the most important issues of our time.
Showcase Art
Wanderlust is a place where creative expression is both valued and open. We treasure our community of artists and are honored to provide a canvas for their work.