Big Island Calendar of Events

In our first edition of Hawaii The Big Island Revealed, we listed a calendar of local events for the island. It was a colossal waste of time! Things change so often in Hawaii that we couldn’t keep it current. The Web fixes that. Don’t get me wrong. Some of the events listed below will not occur or will change time or place. That’s because decisions about these things are made quite capriciously in the islands, often the day of the event. We’ll change this page daily if we have to, but you can’t bet your life on the timeliness of these events. Nonetheless, if you’re interested in attending a local event, these might be worth checking into.

On-Going Events

Monthly
Volcano Art Center at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park offers new exhibits and programs each month. Call the Center at 808-967-8222 for the current schedule.

Tuesdays
After Dark in the Park at 7pm, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Visitor Center Auditorium. Weekly lecture series. Call 808-985-6000 for information, to confirm dates and reservations.

Tuesdays through Saturdays
Experience the world’s first 3D planetarium “Skies Above Hawai’i” at ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center at noon. ”Fly out” from Earth as the planetarium operator guides the audience through various regions and structures of the Universe, based on data from the telescopes located on Maunakea. Visitors to the center can enjoy other planetarium selections as well:  the 1pm showing of Maunakea: Between Earth and Sky, 2pm showing of Awesome Light II: Seeing the Invisible, and 3pm showing of Two Small Pieces of Glass. Call 808-969-9703 or visit www.imiloahawaii.org.

Wednesdays
Weekly Performance involving music, chants, hula, film clips — a blend of mediums to educate you about Hawaiian culture and the history at The Palace Theatre in Hilo at 11am, $5, kids free. Call 808-934-7010.

Wednesdays
Kanikapila Jam Sessions are open to all musicians. Bring your instrument and enjoy “garage style” jamming with your neighbors and community. At Volcano Art Center, Niaulani Campus, 19-4074 Old Volcano Road. Donations appreciated. Call 808-967-8222.

Every First Saturday
Mauna Kea Visitor’s Information Station, monthly program to discuss recent observations and discoveries, 6pm, with stargazing. Limited seating, 808-961-2180.

Every Third Saturday
Aloha Saturdays at Kalakaua Park in Hilo, features performances, exhibits, demonstrations, workshops, lectures and more by Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners, scholars, musicians, hula halau and community groups. They strive to promote creative and culturally authentic programs for all.

Saturdays Closest to the Full Moon
Twilight at Kalahuipuaa or Talk Story as the locals call it, is a monthly gathering of kama‘aina and tourists alike that celebrates the tradition of storytelling through music, dance and spoken word. The Eva Woods Parker Cottage is a small hale (house) situated on land between the Kalahuipuaa Fishponds and the Pacific Ocean at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows. Bring beach chairs, blankets, picnic baskets and settle in for 3 hours of entertainment. Free event. Call 808-885-6622 ext. 7065.

Saturdays & Sundays
Mauna Kea Visitor’s Information Station offers free summit tours starting at 1pm. All participants in the Summit Tour must have their own 4-wheel drive transportation to the summit. Participants must be at least 16 yrs of age, not pregnant and in good health. Check their web site for other information and requirements: Visitor Information Station website.

Second Sunday of the Month
Aloha Sundays at the East Hawaii Cultural Center in Hilo on Kalakaua Street, presents a special daytime program featuring a wide variety of activities for residents and visitors featuring authentic Hawaiian cultural programming, art, student projects and entertainment. Call 808-961-5711.

One Sunday per Month
Kokua Kailua one Sunday each month Alii Drive in Historic Kailua Village becomes a festive pedestrian-only marketplace. Vendors, craftspeople and merchants. Free Hawaiian entertainment, 4pm at Hulihee Palace. Remaining dates in 2012: July 15, Aug. 26, Sept. 16, Oct. 21, Nov. 18, and Dec. 16.

May 2013

April 27-May 29
Kau Coffee Festival is a mix of fun and educational events for anyone who loves coffee. Includes a Miss Kau Coffee Pageant, Kau Farmers Table, recipe contest, exploring of coffee farms, hike and coffee & cattle day, star gazing, workshops and ho‘olaulea (party). In Pahala. Visit www.kaucoffeefest.com.

May 23-27
Big Island Film Festival a 20-foot screen and superb sound system, gourmet food stations, a beer and wine bar—all out there under the stars, surrounded by palm trees at the The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii. Visit www.bigislandfilmfestival.com or call 808-883-0394.

May 25
Hula Arts at Kilauea – Sunset Hula featuring Halau Kahula O Nawahine Noho Puukapu under the direction of kumu hula Ana Nawahine Kahoopii. The audience is encouraged to bring sitting mat and sun/rain gear. 6pm at Hula Platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery, One Crater Rim Road, Hawaii National Park. Call 808-967-8222.

May 26
West Hawaii Dance Academy presents “The Little Mermaid Ballet” The classic story tells the tale of Ariel, a free-spirited mermaid who is embarks on the adventure of a lifetime. 3pm show. Tickets $20 Adults/$10 Students & Seniors/Under 5 free at the Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu. Call 808-329-8876.

June 2013

June 1
Ironman 70.3 Half Marathon 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13.1-mile run – at the beautiful Fairmont Orchid, Hawai‘i Resort on the Kohala Coast. Winners may get slots in the Ironman Triathlon World Championship held in Kona in October or slots to the Ironman 70.3 Championship in Las Vegas. 6:30am-3pm. Call Call 808-329-0063.

June 8
Hawaii County Band Concert plays a tapestry of seasonal works, Hawaiian pieces, overtures, movie themes and more. Mooheau Park Bandstand in downtown Hilo at noon. Call 808-961-8699.

June 9
Hulihee Palace Concert by the Palace Band. 4pm on the lawn overlooking Kailua Bay. Free, but bring your own mat or chair or sit on the sea wall. Call 808-329-9555.

June 11
King Kamehameha Day in Kohala starts with lei draping at the King Kamehameha Statute in Kapaau at 8am, the parade from Hawi to Kapaau at 9am, and the ho‘olaulea (celebration) at Kamehameha Park from 10am-4pm with with hula, traditional music, local food, and arts and crafts. Call 808-557-6042.

June 11
King Kamehameha Day in Hilo all-day festival at Mokuola, Coconut Island. Starts at 9am, closing ceremony starts at 4:30pm with hula, music, food, and crafts. Call 808-989-4844.

June 14
West Hawaii County Band perform at 6:30pm at Hale Halawai, on Alii Drive just south of Hualalai Road in Kailua Village. Contemporary, classics, Hawaiian, and more. There is bench seating, but you may also bring lawn chairs. Free, a pleasant family event in a nice oceanside venue. Call 808-961-8311.

June 15
Hula Arts at Kilauea outdoor presentation takes place rain or shine. All events are free (donations welcome); park entrance fees apply. The audience is encouraged to bring sitting mat and sun/rain gear. 10:30am-11:30am. At Hula Platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery, One Crater Rim Road, Hawaii National Park. Call 808-967-8222.

June 15
King Kamehameha Day Celebration Parade starting at 9am near Royal Kona Resort at Walua Road, more than 100 riders on horseback will proceed along Alii Drive passing through town near Kailua Pier, up Palani Road to Kuakini Highway, and end near West Hawaii Today. Features marching bands, equestrian units, hula halau, a horse-drawn carriage, and floats. After the parade, a ho‘olaulea (celebration) inside the King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel. Visit www.konaparade.org or call 808-322-9944.

June 23
Kona Marathon & Family Fun Runs four races–marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K. All ages, all abilities are invited to this fun and challenging event. All events start at Keauhou Shopping Center, go along Alii Drive, and finish at the Sheraton Kona at Keauhou Bay. 5:30am-3pm. There’s also an Aloha Friday fun walk/run of 3 miles from Kona Commons, north of Kailua-Kona. Races start between 5:30am and 6:50am; check web site for cutoff times. Details of registration, packet pickup, the expo, and more are online, www.konamarathon.com.

July 2013

July 4
Kona 4th of July Hale Halawai Pavilion in Kailua-Kona will open for festivities with food booths and a children’s bouncing castle beginning at 3pm and live entertainment at 6:30pm. The park on Ali‘i Drive will provide viewing for both the parade and the fireworks show launched from an off-shore barge that begins at 8pm.

July 4
Turtle Independence Day at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows in South Kohala. A ceremony-filled release into the ocean of young turtles that have been raised in the resort’s saltwater ponds. 10:30am. Call 808-885-6622.

July 4
July 4th at the Parker Ranch Horse Races & Rodeo, an annual event at Hawaii’s oldest and largest ranch. Cowboys (and cowgirls) from Hawaii Island ranches take part in the races and in the rodeo events. See the “traditional” rodeo events and those only in Hawaii. Rodeo goes 9am-noon. Tickets in advance at the Parker Ranch Store ($6) or at the gate ($5) with children 10 and under free. Call 808-885-7311.

July 5
West Hawaii County Band perform at 6:30pm at Hale Halawai, on Alii Drive just south of Hualalai Road in Kailua Village. Contemporary, classics, Hawaiian, and more. There is bench seating, but you may also bring lawn chairs. Free, a pleasant family event in a nice oceanside venue. Call 808-961-8311.

July 9-28
Hawai‘i Performing Arts Festival as many as 20 concerts in a 3 week period, as well as classes in string and vocal performances. Many of the concerts are free and while most are held in Waimea, there are also concerts in Hilo, Kona and Honoka‘a. Visit www.hawaiiperformingartsfestival.org or call 808-333-7378.

July 13 & 14
Big Island Hawaiian Music Festival at Afook Chinen Hilo Civic Auditorium
799 Piilani Street in Hilo from noon-6pm. Enjoy authentic Hawaiian music – including ukulele, slack key and steel guitar – and falsetto singing at this popular event featuring artists from around Hawai‘i. Some of the best of Hawai‘i’s musicians. Call 808-961-5711.

July 20
Hula Arts at Kilauea outdoor presentation takes place rain or shine. All events are free (donations welcome); park entrance fees apply. The audience is encouraged to bring sitting mat and sun/rain gear. 10:30am-11:30am. At Hula Platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery, One Crater Rim Road, Hawaii National Park. Call 808-967-8222.

July 26
Hula Arts at Kilauea—Sunset Hula outdoor presentation takes place rain or shine. All events are free (donations welcome); park entrance fees apply. The audience is encouraged to bring sitting mat and sun/rain gear at 6:30pm. At Hula Platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery, One Crater Rim Road, Hawaii National Park. Call 808-967-8222.

August 2013

August 2
West Hawaii County Band perform at 6:30pm at Hale Halawai, on Alii Drive just south of Hualalai Road in Kailua Village. Contemporary, classics, Hawaiian, and more. There is bench seating, but you may also bring lawn chairs. Free, a pleasant family event in a nice oceanside venue. Call 808-961-8311.

August 3-10
54th Annual Hawaiian Billfish Tournament teams from around the world fish the famous waters off the Kona coast aboard some of the finest sport fishing vessels with captains who have built reputations around the world for catching big fish. 7am-4pm daily at the King Kamehameha Hotel. Call 808-836-3422.

August 10
Hawaii County Band Concert plays a tapestry of seasonal works, Hawaiian pieces, overtures, movie themes and more. Mooheau Park Bandstand in downtown Hilo at noon. Call 808-961-8699.

August 17
4th Annual Volcano Rain Forest Runs this family event presents a half marathon, 10K run and 5k walk in Volcano Village at 4,000 feet elevation near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Open to runners and walkers of all ages and abilities. Race Day begins and ends at Cooper Center on Wright Road in Volcano Village, 6:30am. $35–$75 registration fees. Call 808-967-8240.

August 17
Volcano Art Center’s Rain Forest Runs – Keiki Runs a free youth running event is sponsored by Kilauea Lodge. Kids under age seven race to cross the finish line – and everyone’s a winner. Cooper Center on Wright Road in Volcano Village. 10am. Call 808-967-8240.

August 17
Don the Beachcomber’s Mai Tai Festival bartenders competing for title of Best Mai Tai and a $10,000 cash prize. Also a farmers market, food from local restaurants and live entertainment along with mai tai sampling. At the Royal Kona Resort. Also a farmers’ market, food from local restaurants and live entertainment along with mai tai sampling. 10am-6pm. Free admission. Parking at the hotel (may be a fee to park) and on the streets around the hotel. Call 808-329-3111.

August 23
Hula Arts at Kilauea—Sunset Hula outdoor presentation takes place rain or shine. All events are free (donations welcome); park entrance fees apply. The audience is encouraged to bring sitting mat and sun/rain gear at 6:15pm. At Hula Platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery, One Crater Rim Road, Hawaii National Park. Call 808-967-8222.

August 24
Hula Arts at Kilauea outdoor presentation takes place rain or shine. All events are free (donations welcome); park entrance fees apply. The audience is encouraged to bring sitting mat and sun/rain gear. 10:30am-11:30am. At Hula Platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery, One Crater Rim Road, Hawaii National Park. Call 808-967-8222.

August 31
North South East West Festival 2013 includes a total of eight events featuring thirty-two works by twenty-seven composers, twelve  world premieres and fourteen Hawaii premieres. At the Imiloa Planetarium 7:30pm-9pm. Visit www.ebbandflowarts.org.

September 2013

September 1
22nd Annual Slack Key Guitar Festival will feature 15 of some of Hawaii’s finest practitioners of the guitar art form. Attendees will also be able to shop and buy many original arts and crafts from local artisans and enjoy many local food favorites. At the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa ballroom. Noon-6pm. Call 808-226-2697.

September 1
Hula Arts at Kilauea outdoor presentation takes place rain or shine. All events are free (donations welcome); park entrance fees apply. The audience is encouraged to bring sitting mat and sun/rain gear at 10:30am. At Hula Platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery, One Crater Rim Road, Hawaii National Park. Call 808-967-8222.

September 5-7
‘Imiloa Fulldome Film Festival 2013 an international line-up of 25 new digital planetarium films will be showcased in the ‘Imiloa planetarium. It will showcase a variety of production types including CGI (computer generated imagery), time-lapse photography, and full dome videography. 9am-5pm. Call 808-969-9703 or visit www.imiloahawaii.org.

September 6-8
Run For Hope is a non-competitive 10K Run & 5K Run/Walk event. Proceeds from this event benefit cancer research in Hawai‘i. Friday: Annual Taste of Hawai‘i Island; Saturday: Hualalai Golf Scramble and Hualalai Tennis
Tournament, and Sunday: Run For Hope 10K Run, 5K Run/Walk. At Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. Registration forms are available at www.fsrh.net/pr/run_for_hope.pdf. Call 808-325-8052.

September 15-21
Puna Culinary Festival celebrates culture, cuisine, and abundant produce of Puna. The festival’s farm-to-fork theme focuses on local products and sustainable farming in Puna. The week features a variety of culinary classes, farm and market tours, and themed dinners. Noon-8pm. Some have a fee, some are free, some by donation. Call 800-800-6886 or visit www.punaculinaryfestival.com.

September 20
West Hawaii County Band perform at 6:30pm at Hale Halawai, on Alii Drive just south of Hualalai Road in Kailua Village. Contemporary, classics, Hawaiian, and more. There is bench seating, but you may also bring lawn chairs. Free, a pleasant family event in a nice oceanside venue. Call 808-961-8311.