A state panel today granted the organizer of the Diamond Head International Music Festival a special use permit to hold two music events in the crater in 2011 and 2012.

The Board of Land and Natural Resources approved the permit request by the nonprofit Diamond Head International Music Festival Inc., which is proposing the two-day festivals at the Diamond Head State Monument. The organizer brought the festival back to the crater in 2006 and 2007 after a nearly 30-year absence.

Festival organizer Ron Gibson said no dates have been set for next year's event and it's too early to discuss who will perform. But he said the show will feature a blend of local, national and international talent.

"It's a two-day event and we're all very excited about that. We'll have the potential to entertain up to 15,000 people and really bring something spectacular to the crater," Gibson said.

The two previous events each drew about 6,000 people and had headliners such as Earth, Wind & Fire, Mick Fleetwood, the Steve Miller band and WAR. The festivals were seen as throwbacks to the 1970s when thousands of people packed the crater for all-day music events.