Is there any plans for parallel programming features?

Like C# async,  F# async or maybe even сomputation expressions?

We are considering something vaguely like this for future versions.

Is Akka considered an answer? I tried porting a simple Akka test but ran into a problem recorded here http://youtrack.jetbrains.com/issue/KT-1345 It'd be good someone else gives it a try just in case I didn't do it right.

Yes, we are planning to support Akka. Will get to your issue soon.