For five days this summer, Portland celebrates 30 years of legendary music and community at the annual Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival presented by First Tech Credit Union. Held June 30-July 4, the open-air music showcase features performances by Big Head Todd Blues Club (with Billy Branch, Cedric Burnside and Ronnie Baker Brooks), Chris Isaak, Joss Stone, Galactic, Elvin Bishop, Fantastic Negrito, Canned Heat, JD McPherson, Bokanté, Pine Leaf Boys and March Fourth, among many others. Pack a blanket and claim a spot in downtown's Waterfront Park, where the Willamette River provides a stunning backdrop for the show (not to mention the largest Independence Day fireworks display in Oregon).

The yearly event is a fundraiser for Oregon Food Bank, which works to eliminate hunger and its root causes in Oregon and Clark County, Washington. In addition to proceeds from five-day festival passes (on sale now), event vendor Empty Bowls, which sells thousands of beautifully crafted bowls donated by artisans from the Oregon Potters Association and Oregon Glass Guild, lets attendees purchase a unique, made-here memento while giving back to a worthy cause. (Empty Bowls has generated nearly $300,000 for Oregon Food Bank to date.)

Enjoy the blues in a more intimate setting while still supporting hunger relief by booking tickets on the Portland Spirit with DME Blues Cruises, which sail up and down the river afternoons and evenings. Or get more of the headliners at the After-Hours All-Star Concerts in the Marriott Hotel's Oregon Ballroom.

Also in Portland:

Hawaiian time in Portland

Portland's new influx of tiki bars and poke restaurants lets diners experience a taste of island life on the mainland. No Bones Beach Club is the latest addition to the city's growing collection of laid-back, beach-shack-style bars. The second vegan tiki bar in the world and the first outpost outside of Seattle, the bar and restaurant serves snacks like loaded taro fries and pineapple-radish wontons, along with cocktails. Order a tiki classic, like a mai tai or piña colada, or get creative with their beet hibiscus margarita or lychee bloom. Other tiki bars in town include Hale Pele, beloved for its expansive rum list and fiery concoctions to enjoy with friends. True to its name, Rum Club specializes in rum-based drinks. For a blast from the past, stop at The Alibi for tropical fare and karaoke.

For a true taste of Hawaii, find classic poke (super-fresh, marinated raw fish with veggies, seaweed and optional rice) at Poke Mon. Sashimi-grade ahi, locally caught fish and seasonal produce are the backbone of the operation. Unique poke also abounds, particularly in the monthly Chef Series: Watch for a poke interpretation from Carlo Lamagna (Clyde Common) during April. Bamboo Sushi recently introduced QuickFish Poke Bar, which focuses on high quality, sushi-grade fish and sustainable practices, delivering both traditional and unconventional bowls. For more Hawaiian fare, the two locations of Ate-Oh-Ate do a brisk trade in plate lunches and sandwiches, accompanied by a variety of beers and cocktails. Finally, Musubi offers "cozy Hawaiian comfort food," including onigiri (nori-wrapped pillows of sushi rice with savory interiors).