Staging Kokua Festivals has taught its creators and organizers a lot about protecting the environment, and after this weekend's event they will spread the message of sustainability as they go on tour and donate part of their proceeds to the communities they visit.

The fifth annual Kokua Festival is taking place at the Waikiki Shell today and tomorrow, headlined by Grammy winner Dave Matthews and Hawai'i recording artist Jack Johnson. The shows are sold out.

The festival is a fundraiser for the Kokua Hawai'i Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports environmental education in Hawai'i schools and communities.

Johnson, the foundation's co-founder, said he wants to promote that mission in communities where he entertains through an interactive network called All At Once.

"Every one of our shows on the next world tour is basically a fundraiser for groups who are doing important works in their own communities," Johnson said at a news conference yesterday. Johnson said the foundation looks for nonprofit groups that work with children and focuses on such things as school gardens, water quality and climate change.

"Any time you can blend environmental work and early education that's really important to us, because it's doing two positives together," he said.

Earlier in the day, Johnson and the other performers entertained dozens of school-children who had participated in the foundation's Kokua Earth Action Projects, in which students develop projects aimed at taking care of the Islands. The private concert was their reward for a job well done.

This weekend's concerts are striving to be environmentally responsible. Concert "greening" efforts include free water stations, generators and vehicles running on locally made biodiesel, and biodegradable concession ware.

Matthews said he fuels his automobiles with biodiesel and when on a tour works to leave a positive footprint on the environment.

"Just by the virtue of what I do (my footprint) is a lot bigger and a lot messier than most people, but I just try to figure out ways I can contribute to make it a little bit less," Matthews said.

Singer Paula Fuga, who is also on the concert bill, said she picks up trash on the beach, collects corks and recycles beer bottles, although she doesn't drink beer.

"I just do my best to love the 'aina and take care of it and hopefully I inspire people to fall in love with nature and be kind to the earth," she said.

Go Jimmy Go singer/songwriter Bison Friedemann said he helped plant a garden at his child's elementary school recently and uses reuseable tote bags for groceries.

Ryan Kunimura, a trombone player in the band, said, "I ride my skateboard instead of driving, when I can."