The public is invited to bring lawn chairs and mats and attend the free 'Ahupaua'a O Kahana concert — described as "a mahalo for your kokua" event — from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at Coconut Grove at Kahana Bay. Look for the big tent, said organizers.

The concert is being given as a way to say thanks to the many people who supported six native Hawaiian families in Kahana Valley who were about to be evicted from the valley last month.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources, which oversees the state park where the families have resided for decades, backed off an earlier threat to evict the families.

'Ahupua'a O Kahana Valley State Park that was created as a living park to allow families with longtime ties to the valley to remain. A state law provided 31 leases. In exchange, the families performed cultural activities for the public for 25 hours a month. However, over time several families lost their leases.

In March the state attorney general issued an opinion saying that the law that provided the leases had ended, and no new leases could be granted.

The DLNR issued final eviction notices in October. Following an outpouring of support for the families, the DLNR said the families would not be evicted pending a final decision. For now, the families can stay while the 2009 Legislature considers options to address the issue.

Today's no-alcohol concert is free, but donations to help the families will be accepted.

For more information about the concert, call 753-0623.