Kokua collaboration

Pals from Pearl Jam join Jack Johnson for his annual ecology-themed concert

EVEN AFTER 5 1/2 hours of music at the Waikiki Shell on Saturday, some fans were hungry for more.

"Hana hou! Hana hou, you guys! Come on, hana hooooou!" screamed one woman, struggling to stand as she clutched an officially licensed Kokua Festival tote bag in one arm and waved frantically at the deserted stage.

The Girlas, Matt Costa, Ernie Cruz Jr. and Pearl Jam front man Eddie Vedder were this year's guest artists at Jack Johnson's annual benefit for the Kokua Hawaii Foundation. Fans were also treated to Johnson's return to performing, following a yearlong vacation.

Despite a few minor miscues, the first night of the sold-out, two-day festival channeled the same backyard pa'ina vibe that has differentiated it from other concerts that take place at the Diamond Head end of Waikiki.

As thousands lounged on the grass at the Shell, keiki ran around in the fading sunlight while adults talked story and sipped on cold beverages.

Wearing a green "Keep Country Country" T-shirt, Johnson started his set just after 8 p.m. with "Better Together" and "Flake," and kept the crowd on its feet for the next 90 minutes with a mix of his greatest hits.

AFTER TAKING most of the last year off to relax and revitalize, Jack Johnson returned to performing last weekend at his annual Kokua Festival benefit concert at the Waikiki Shell.

Fans were reminded of the underlying environmental awareness and protection theme almost immediately upon entrance, with everyone forced to take a 10-minute trek through the festival's "Kokua Village" before reaching their seats. Luckily, a beer garden was stationed in the middle of all the informational and display booths, providing a welcome respite from the surrounding eco-friendliness.

Inside, high school students roamed the crowd with plastic bags to collect garbage, while Kawika Kahiapo made the first of many repeated announcements about the importance of protecting the environment. He also encouraged people to visit the MySpace booth at the festival, where they could record an "Earth Day Resolution" for broadcast online.

MOST OF the sold-out crowd hadn't yet arrived when the Girlas took to the stage just after 4 p.m. Too bad, because the local girls were polished and ready to perform tracks off their debut release, "Now or Never."

"Hi/Lo," "Crazy" and "Never Leave You" got the growing crowd to take notice, with Tiffa Cruz Garza, Kelli Heath, Carly Smith and Candy Diaz Yasuda switching instruments after almost every song. And Johnson didn't waste any time getting onstage, joining the ladies with Kokua Fest veteran Paula Fuga for the last song of the Girlas' set.

Semifrequent Hawaii visitor Matt Costa came out next, wearing long pants and a sweater despite the sweat-inducing sunny weather at the Shell. "Mr. Pitiful" and "Cold December" had some on the grass starting to dance, and he succeeded in getting some in the crowd to two-step during "Sweet Rose" a few minutes later.

"Behind the Moon" was another highlight, with one of Costa's band members utilizing a slide guitar while Costa played a harmonica and his own guitar.

AS THE sun started to set on Waikiki, the number of fresh sunburns and gaudy resort wear in the crowd had increased dramatically. The timing was perfect for Ernie Cruz Jr. and his band to remind everyone they were in Hawaii.

Unfortunately, it didn't appear that many people recognized the man of Ka'au Crater Boys fame, nor did they recognize the all-star group of musicians who surrounded him.

Shawn Ishimoto got his share of the spotlight, playing most of the guitar solos on songs off Cruz's latest album, "Portraits." Kokua Festival veteran John Cruz returned to back up his brother and share "One of These Days," a new track off his own upcoming release.

Johnny Helm also got some time to shine, joining Cruz and company to play "Staring Up Trees" and "Breathe" before hustling back off stage. And the Girlas' Yasuda and Heath came back out to help with "Kansas" before Cruz finished up with "Nature's Way."

AFTER A 20-minute break, Eddie Vedder strolled out and greeted the audience, requisite wine bottle in hand.

"Howzit," he said with a nod, before launching into "Throw Your Arms Around Me." When he finished, Vedder apologized for not being able to play at the Kokua Festival sooner.

"I'm finally here and I'm being punished," he joked. "Jack's form of punishment ... is to follow Ernie Cruz Jr.!"

After sharing a song he recently finished about a soldier returning home from Iraq, Pearl Jam keyboardist Boom Gaspar came out to join Vedder with the Locals Only Band. Vedder seemed at ease, praising drummer Salaam Tillman despite meeting him just five days earlier, and telling the crowd Gaspar was "where I get my mana on a daily basis."

Pearl Jam fans were satiated with favorites like "Better Man" and "I Am Mine" before Vedder brought Johnson out to help with a few songs, including "Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town." He finished after exactly 40 minutes, smiling and waving before strolling backstage.

THE BACKYARD party vibe was in full effect when Johnson returned for his headlining set just after 8 p.m.

"Better Together" and "Flake" brought the Shell back to its feet, as Johnson seemed to be working off some of the rust that had accumulated during his time off. But everything was back to normal by the time he got through "Sitting, Waiting, Wishing," "Symbol in My Driveway" and "Good People."

Johnson even showed his kolohe side at one point, playing "Girl I Wanna Lay You Down" as a tribute to Matt Costa, who had to leave the Shell early and couldn't stick around for a guest appearance. Another nice touch was the blending of Sublime's "Bad Fish" into "Horizon Has Been Defeated."

With keiki crowded onto one side of the stage, Johnson played a couple of songs off his "Curious George" soundtrack, including "Supposed to Be" and "Upside Down" before eliciting roars of approval with "Bubble Toes" and "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle." And keeping with tradition, he brought all the artists back out to help him finish up.

Cruz was first, joining Johnson for "Pirate Looks at 40," before Vedder returned with a box of Kurt Vonnegut books in tow. Johnson explained how the author served as an inspiration to them, then performed "Soon Forget" with his friend.

Kahiapo came out next to join in on "Constellations," before Johnson called out the remaining artists to help with a cover of Bob Dylan's "I Shall Be Released" to finish the show. Despite the half-hour encore, some pleaded for more, but all they got was a big smile from Johnson as he left.