HAWAI’I ISLAND EVENTS 2008
July 18-20 - “A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING” BENEFIT - ALOHA THEATRE, KAINALIU
The Arc of Kona and Hawaii Performing Arts Festival present an evening of Rogers and Hammerstein favorites, and more…Howard Dicus, host of KGMB TV will be hosting. Proceeds will benefit both organizations. Tickets are $40, available by calling 808/323-2626 or visiting www.arcofkona.org or www.hawaiiperformingartsfestival.org
July 20 - Volcano Forest Work Day
Residents and visitors are invited to participate in this monthly outing to remove alien weed species and help restore one of the last remaining native ‘ohi‘a and koa forests in the Volcano Village area. The day includes an informative guided walk on the Niaulani Nature Trail.
9 a.m – Noon. Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. (80 
967-8222 or www.volcanoartcenter.org.
July 26th Annual Kilauea Volcano Runs
Choose from the 26.2-mile Volcano Marathon, 10-mile Rim Run, 5-mile Kilauea Caldera Run or 5-mile non-competitive Kilauea Caldera Walk, all at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. A unique sports event and experience! Call (80 969-7400, email race@volcanoartcenter.org, or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.
August 16 - International Haari Boat Festival
This new festival celebrates the cultures of Hawai`i and Okinawa with Haari boat races, an open market with Okinawan food, a country store, cultural exchanges, a golf tournament and a luau on Saturday night. Wailoa State Park in Hilo, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. Call (80 895-0994 or visit www.haariboatfestival.com.
August 23 - November 20 - Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity
Yet another interesting offering available at this innovative astronomy center. This presentation blending science and visualization lets you fly through wormholes, experience the creation of the Milky Way galaxy and witness the death of a star. Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo. 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tuesday – Sunday. Call (80 969-9704 or visit www.imiloahawaii.org.
PAST EVENTS…
May 10th - Pahoa Springtime Jamm and Battle of the Bands
May 15th-18th
Rebirth 2008 - The egg is laid
Official Burning Man Regional and to date the biggest event Ka Pilina produces each year. Tickets at www.kapilina.org start at $40 (there are 200 tickets at each tier price range, so get yours in advance). Also available at CD Wizard Hilo, HI Phone: 969-4800; Kanaka Kava (Coconut Grove Marketplace) Kailua-Kona
SURF FLICK SUMMER TOUR: Famed surfographer Bill Ballard has a new flick out - this one on Matt “Archy” Archibald. They’re still working out the Hawaii dates (including Big Island at the Palace Theater), but for now this is the schedule for the West Coast tour….
May 15-18 - BIG ISLAND FILM FESTIVAL at Waikoloa Beach Resort
“Talk Story” film festival celebrates independent narrative filmmakers and their films. One indoor theater for daytime films and two outdoor venues for evening films (family and general audiences) will bring 58 films to the Big Island this year from Hawaii and international filmmakers. Social food & beverage events, entertainment, and films all wrapped in Aloha. Tickets from $5 with Kama’aina discounts every night. Best of the Fest with Brother Noland concert to kick off the audience choice short and feature film on Sunday 5/18 begins at 5pm at the Queens Gardens - the new amphitheater at Waikoloa Beach Resort. Time: 10:00 AM to 11:30 PM at Queens MarketPlace & Kings Shops, Waikoloa Beach Resort. Cost: $5 to $50 for the Awards Brunch. For information call 808/557-5200 direct, 808/883-0394 office, email bigislandff@aol.com or visit BigIslandFilmFestival.com
May 18 - Tsunami Talk Story Festival
Called “The Good Life in Waiakea,” this year’s fundraiser brings to life earlier days of Hilo’s oceanfront district prior to the tsunamis that struck the town in 1946 and 1960. Survivor stories will be shared by master storyteller/actress Kathy “Tita” Collins and Chris Harrison. This area is now home to famous Banyan Drive, resort hotels, Queen Lili‘uokalani Gardens and a golf course. 6 - 9 p.m., Sangha Hall. $25 includes dinner. (80 935-0926 or www.tsunami.org.
May 24, 25, & 26 - THIRD ANNUAL HILO INTER-TRIBAL POWWOW
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Wailoa River Park in Hilo. Monday there will be a Veterans’ Honoring Ceremony and the colors will be retired at 4 pm. Grand Entry is at 10 am all three days. This celebration of Native American culture through music, dancing, traditional foods and traditional arts and crafts is free and open to everyone. There will also be storytelling, music, demonstrations and free hands-on craftmaking offered for children. Native American tribe representatives, dancers and drummers will be present from the mainland and Canada. Visit the Hilo PowWow website at www.hilopowwow.com for more details, or email info@hilopowwow.com.
June 21, 2008
THE 6th ANNUAL HAWAII ISLAND SEED EXCHANGE
The Seed Exchange will take place at Bishop Museum’s Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden in Captain Cook from 8am to 12:30pm. This annual event is for all farmers, gardeners, and “would be” gardeners who are interested in exchanging and receiving seed, cuttings, and keiki of food crops that have been successfully grown on Hawaii Island. This yearly festival promotes the concept of “Food Self-Sufficiency” for Hawaii Island, and is a chance for farmers and gardeners to come together and share the successes of their farms & gardens with the community, to network, and to share in educational presentations. For more information contact Nancy Redfeather at 322-2801 or email nancyredfeather@yahoo.com.
June 21, 2008
HAWAIIAN MUSIC CONCERT - HAWAI’I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
An evening of traditional Hawaiian music featuring the sweet falsetto singing styling and sassy hula ‘auana (contemporary hula) of talented Hawai’i island musicians, singers, and dancers Stanceford Kaina & Leo Nahenahe O Pohai Kealoha. Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, 7:30 p.m. $15 adults/$13 seniors, 65 & up or children 12 & under ($2 more at the door). For more info, call (80 967-8222 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org
June 21, 2008
HAWAII ISLAND PRIDE - 1ST ANNUAL GAY PRIDE FESTIVAL/BENEFIT
A community Event/Fundraiser, from 2:00-8:00pm, honoring “Strength & Unity Through Diversity”. To be followed by a Candlelight Walk. FREE Admission (donations accepted). All proceeds go to Hawaii Island HIV/Aids Foundation. Featuring Entertainment, Vendors, Dancing, Activities for all ages and Information Booths! King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel Luau Grounds, Kailua-Kona. For more information, call 808-557-4668 or email volunteer@hawaiiislandpride.com or visit www.hawaiiislandpride.com
June 27-29, 2008
LOMI LOMI WEEKEND WITH PAPA K - HILO
This three day workshop in the basics of lomi lomi massage will be taught by Papa K Kepilino, who was trained from the age of 6 in lomi lomi. He was also taught the Breath of Ha by his grandfather. This is a traditional healing method used to mend the body and heal from long distances. This class will include basic instruction in the lima maka, “seeing fingers,” technique of lomi lomi. This is a very gentle and intuitive form of lomi lomi. Cost: $350. For more information, call: 808/959 2258, email contact@healinginparadise.org or visit www.healinginparadise.org
June 28, 2008
ANNUAL HO’OLAULE’A CELEBRATION AND PARADE - NA’ALEHU
“Long Live Hula” is the theme of this free celebration in Na’alehu, featuring four hours of performances by Big Island hula halau beginning at 10am at Na’alehu Park. The hula will follow the Parade, which takes place from 9-10am, starting from the Na’alehu Hongwanji. Radio personality Kahikina will be the MC for the event, and there will be arts and crafts booths, lucky number drawings throughout the day, and food for sale. Highlights will be Ray Fonseca’s hula halau with music by Cyril Pahinui to be followed by a performance by Cyril, and a performance by Keoki Kahumoku. Music by local bands will begin around 2pm, and the evening will wind up with a performance by popular band Ka’u from 7 till 9pm. Keiki can play games, enjoy the keiki carnival, participate in the dunking booth, and many other activities. Na’alehu Clubhouse will host Kupuna Bingo from noon till 4pm, and a drug and alcohol-free dance for teens will take place from 5-8pm. Call Judy Gardner for more info, at 443-1193.
June 28-29, 2008
PU’UHONUA O HONAUNAU NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK ANNUAL CULTURAL FESTIVAL
Annual major cultural festival in a beautiful historic setting, from 9am-3pm. Storytellers, canoe builders, carvers and weavers will share their skills both days. Hula followed by a traditional Hawaiian food tasting and hukilau (traditional Hawaiian community fishing event) on Sunday. Call 328-2288 for more info.
2008 * The Sierra Club
The Sierra Club has many outings/ volunteering opportunities of the cultural/environmental variety, so check their Hawai’i Chapter web site for more info…
May 3-7, 2008
BHAKTI YOGA WITH SRIPAD BV TRIDANDI MAHARAJA - PUNA & HILO
Evenings of Bhakti Yoga with Sripad BV Tridandi Maharaja, a devoted disciple of Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja. Ecstatic kirtan, talk, & a delicious vegetarian feast at the Pahoa Yoga Shala on Sat. May 3rd at 6pm; Hilo Temple, May 4th at 5:30 pm; Orchidland, May 5th at 6pm; Kapoho Beach Lots, May 6 Cost: Free to the public. For more information, call Lakshmi at 808 769-1523 or email leenadeva108@yahoo.co
March 1, 2008
HOT TUNA, Palace Theater
These guys are legends. I’ve only seen Jorma (founding member Jefferson Airplane, R&R Hall of Famer) doing acoustic with Casady (Jefferson Airplane/Starship, foremost rock bass guitarist in world, played with Jimi, Jerry, Crosby…), but amazing, intense shit. Save up all the money you’d waste on lame Marley fests for the next few years (this year NO beer garden as had been promised, NO Alpha Blondy…) - cost is $45 in advance. It’ll be worth it.
March 2, 2008 - Imiloa Birthday Bash - Free Admission
A day full of activities including guided tours, special planetarium sky shows every 30 minutes, and a grand prize drawing give-away of a large, inflatable Earth Ball, are all part of the fun at `Imiloa Astronomy Center on Sunday, March 2, as the Center celebrates it second year birthday with a free day for the community. The Center will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.and activities take place all day long.
March 6, 2008 - Imiloa (and every Thursday) • 3D Hitchhikers Exploration of the Universe. This Thursday evening planetarium program, “A 3D Hitchhikers Exploration of the Universe,” employs the new 3D stereoscopic projection system recently installed in the `Imiloa planetarium. Shawn Laatsch, `Imiloa’s planetarium manager, hosts the evening presentation as participants “fly” out into space on a unique and engaging tour through the Universe. This show is offered weekly on Thursday evenings at 7:30 pm through the end of March. Doors open at 5:30, and the Center’s popular Science on a Sphere exhibit and the `Imiloa Museum Store will be open. The exhibit hall will not be open to the public. The Sky Garden Restaurant at `Imiloa is open for dinner starting at 5:30 pm for these Thursday evening programs.
April 1-4, 2008 - Imiloa • Merrie Monarch: Hula Workshops & Demonstrations
Imiloa is partnering with the Merrie Monarch Festival to offer four days of free hula-related workshops and demonstrations for guests to enjoy during the popular week-long festival and competition. Special programs are also being offered in Japanese. Learn about the history and cultural significance of the hula and its practitioners. Check their web site for more info.
February 16, 2008
6th ANNUAL HILO CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL
This free community festival begins at 9 a.m. at the Kress Building on Kamehameha Avenue just one short block away from Kalakaua Park in historic downtown Hilo with Lion Dancers offering traditional blessings along the street. The Lions parade up to the park to open the Festival with thousands of firecrackers at 10 a.m. Till 3 p.m., Asian arts, crafts, product and international food purveyors will man tents filled with the sounds, smells and sights celebrating the Year of the Rat. Performances, cooking and cultural demonstrations, and displays illustrate the Chinese influence on Hawaii’s people and culture. Info: (80 933-9772 or email amoon@bigisland.com
February 14-18, 2008
PICKIN’ IN PAHOA BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL
Enjoy bluegrass, folk and old time acoustic music at The Shire, Puna’s premier outdoor gathering place and campground, just two miles from Pahoa town. Bring your instrument and join in the fun at Hawaii’s first Bluegrass Festival. Suggested donation is just $10 a day including music and camping. All day and all evening. Free to the public (suggested donation $10 a day). For more information, call 808/217-9647 or email this.elf@gmail.com
February 15, 2008
AN EVENING OF CHINESE CULTURE - HILO
The historic Palace Theater in downtown Hilo opens the Hilo Chinese New Year Festival with a display of Chinese culture through dance, music and fashion including Big Island Shaolin Arts Lion Dance exhibition. After blessing several downtown businesses, the lions offer a special blessing on Haili Street fronting the theater to open the evening’s festivities at 7 p.m. $12 general admission, children ages 16 & under free. Info: (80 933-9772 or email amoon@bigisland.com
February 9 - Sat 4:30-6:30 * Barack Obama Organization meeting @ Waikea High School Library, 155 W. Kawili St. more info: 808/253-8117
February 9 - Saturday * Bob Marley Fest
February 9 - Saturday * Poho’iki Paka Opening/Blessing
Music, food, party (and hopefully surf) at Poho’iki Beach to celebrate the official opening of the park. Come, bring da kids, enjoy! Not positive but from what I was told, starting this weekend, you can also purchase the camping permits and camp there - but the online site to purchase permits shows there are none (for Isaac Hale) available til September 1st. (!?) You can call the County of Hawaii - Department of Parks and Rec to see what’s up - 961-8311 (M-F 7:45am - 4:30pm)
And FYI - there’s a surf contest there on Sunday.
December 28th, 2007 • REVO 2.0 [21 Kalanianaole Ave, Hilo]
Okay, my lil sis is putting on another REVO HILO event. fine art * photography * film * fashion. Last event raised $6,000! - and again, all proceeds go to the Grace of God Orphanage in Malawai, Africa. Cheap $5 entrance fee - but bring extra and buy some art - support the cause: the revolution of love. P.S. Sis also just so happens to be one of the best undiscovered photographers - check her out! Plus if you need any photogs done, she’s only back in Hilo short time! (check out our “Start a Revo[lution]” article for more info)
December 29th, Saturday 8am -2pm • Annual Mochi Pounding for New Year [Akiko's Buddhist Bed and Breakfast, Wailea]
“Join us in our quiet little village of Wailea for the 10th annual mochi-tsuki celebration in making traditional rice cakes the old-fashioned way. The oldtimers share their stories of plantation era times and everyone takes their turn at pounding the glutinous sticky rice for good luck. Fire building starts at 6 a.m. to steam the rice. Event goes from 8am to 2 pm with hearty local style lunch for $5. Great Fun!!” Call: Miss Akiko (80 963-6422 or email msakiko@hawaii.rr.com.
December 31st, Monday 6pm - midnight • 7th Annal New Year’s Contra Celebration [YWCA of Hawaii Island, 145 Ululani St, Hilo]
“Music and dancing for all ages and levels of experience! Contra, International Folk, and Swing dancing. Irish, Scottish, Bluegrass, multi-ethnic music to keep you moving throughout the evening. Games, prizes, and food from 6:00 pm to midnight!” $10 per person/$25 family rate. Everyone welcome. Call: Cindy (80 938-7310.
December 7/8, 2007 - Groundation
One of the most anticipated shows, Groundation returning to Hawai’i.
• Friday at the New Gymnasium, University of Hawaii
• Saturday at the Kona Bowl
November 27, 2007 - Oktoberfest
“The Big Island celebrates German-style in this always-fun evening of polka music, costume contests, live entertainment, door prizes, silent auction, “chicken dancing,” and of course lots of Bavarian cuisine and other culinary delights from local chefs. At Daniel Thiebaut’s Restaurant and Beer Gardens in Waimea, 6 – 9 p.m. Tickets $45, $50 at the door. Call (80
November 10, 2007 - 12noon - midnight • $35 advance tickets
The First Anual Puna Chocolate Festival - Sponsored by Baraka Organic Foods, Monkey Fish, East Side Yoga Shala, Island Naturals, Namaste, Sustainable Island Products. Tickets include: Chocolate samples, live music, coupons, DJ dance party, yoga demo, raffle. 937-3200 for info. Vending space is also available.
November 2, 2007 - Black & White Night
“Downtown Hilo’s biggest strolling party with free live jazz music venues, a treasure hunt through town, stores opening late with specials, sales, free food samples, author and artist receptions. Everyone dresses in black
and white, some dress down in shorts and T-shirts, some dress up in gowns and suits to enter the ‘Best Dressed Black & White Contest’ for cash prizes. Free! Information call (80 933-9772 or amoon@bigisland.com
October 25-31, 2007 - Louis Vuitton (Oooh la!) Hawai’i International Film Festival (Oct 18-24 in Oahu)
“The premiere American showcase for Asian cinema.” -Hollywood Reporter
“A launching pad for early films by younger directors.” -Roger Ebert
“One of the ten best film festivals around the world.” -Travel & Leisure Magazine
Films held at two locations around the island. At Palace Theater - Hilo (call for info (80
October 20, 2007 - Obake Ghost stories
“Halloween local-style with an evening of music, food and spooky obake (Japanese ghost) stories from local Big Island residents. At Akiko’s Bed & Breakfast in Wailea Village at the 15-mile marker on Hwy. 19 on the Hamakua Coast. For more information call (80
October 13, 2007 - Ironman
1,800 psychotic athletes converging on the West side of our little Big Island to challenge themselves in the swim/bike/run - heck, even completing one part of this feat is an accomplishment! Usually this is around when the waves are going in Kona, and you can’t drive to get to them. Well, there has been no signs yet of pre-winter swells making it past Maui, so likely best for all to escape East side to avoid the hubbub. Unless you’re a super-freak going to enter the thing - go Millie! Hey, run a mile for me!
October 4th, Thursday • 7-10pm • $3 donation
From the guy who brings you…the Big Island Love stickers…Big Island Love presents: Electric Lounge “Sprocket serves up some of his finest Ambient, Downtempo, Psy-Chill and Dub tracks for your listening pleasure. Enjoy delicious beats and yummy treats at the cosy Kope Kope Espresso Cafe.” Kope Kope, 1261 Kilauea Ave (Hilo Shopping Center)
Saturday, September 29, 2007 • 4:30 PM • Aloha Festivals 14th Annual KWXX Hilo Ho’olaule’a
14th Annual KWXX Hilo Ho’olaule’a - Entertainment by the best of island musicians, ono foods and arts & crafts. The downtown area is closed to vehicles and three giant stages provide continuous fun. Sponsored by KWXX Radio. For more information call (80
August 11, Saturday • 7:30pm $15 advance, $20 door
Brother Noland - one of the most respected and talented local artists live at The Palace Theater, Hilo.
August 11-13 • Free!
Astronomy Fireworks Show! Saturday night to Sunday morning: Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station will be open all night for the Perseid Meteor Shower! • Sunday 2pm: Astronomer Bobby Bus gives free talk at ‘Ililoa Astronomy Center of Hawai’, Hilo (600 Imiloa Place off Komohana). • Sunday 2:30-4pm: Ohana Discovery Day at ‘Imiloa (reservation required). • Sunday night/Monday Morning is the predicted peak of the Shower. • This info is from NASA’s website - and just remember, we’re in an awesome locale to check this chit out!
“Got a calendar? Circle this date: Sunday, August 12th. Next to the circle write “all night” and “Meteors!” Attach the above to your refrigerator in plain view so you won’t miss the 2007 Perseid meteor shower. “It’s going to be a great show,” says Bill Cooke of NASA’s Meteoroid Environment Office at the Marshall Space Flight Center. “The Moon is new on August 12th–which means no moonlight, dark skies and plenty of meteors.” How many? Cooke estimates one or two Perseids per minute at the shower’s peak. The source of the shower is Comet Swift-Tuttle. Although the comet is nowhere near Earth, the comet’s tail does intersect Earth’s orbit. We glide through it every year in August. Tiny bits of comet dust hit Earth’s atmosphere traveling 132,000 mph. At that speed, even a smidgen of dust makes a vivid streak of light–a meteor–when it disintegrates. Because Swift-Tuttle’s meteors fly out of the constellation Perseus, they are called “Perseids.” The show begins between 9:00 and 10:00 pm on Sunday, August 12th, when Perseus rises in the northeast. This is the time to look for Perseid Earthgrazers–meteors that approach from the horizon and skim the atmosphere overhead like a stone skipping the surface of a pond. “Earthgrazers are long, slow and colorful; they are among the most beautiful of meteors,” says Cooke. He cautions that an hour of watching may net only a few of these–”at most”–but seeing even one makes the long night worthwhile. As the night unfolds, Perseus climbs higher and the meteor rate will increase many-fold. “By 2 am on Monday morning, August 13th, dozens of Perseids may be flitting across the sky every hour.” The crescendo comes before dawn when rates could exceed a meteor a minute. For maximum effect, Cooke advises, “get away from city lights” - this is a good time to go camping. And there’s a bonus: Mars. In the constellation Taurus, just below Perseus, Mars shines like a bright red star. Many of the Perseids you see on August 12th and 13th will flit right past it. Instead of following the meteor, you may find you have a hard time taking your eyes off Mars. There’s something bewitching about it, maybe the red color or perhaps the fact that it doesn’t twinkle like a true star….” P.S. And stay tuned for the total lunar eclipse starting August 27th - Hawai’i should have a great view for all stages.
August 31, Friday • $20 advance, $50 reserved seating, $80 reserved + invitation to private concert reception with entertainers
The 2nd Ke Ola I Ka Leo – Voices Empowering Health Fundraising Concert featuring the awesome sounds of HAPA* live at The Palace Theater, Hilo
Ke Ānuenue Area Health Education Center (AHEC) is a non-profit organization that serves the local community by providing health education programs including: diabetes education and counseling, video-teleconferencing to rural communities, and recruitment of healthcare workers.
Pre-concert activities -starting at 4pm- include a Silent Auction, Healthy Food Demo & Sampling with Audrey Wilson, and Diabetes Information Booths. For more info or to order advanced tickets call the Ke Ānuenue AHEC Office 935-8658 or go online: www.keanuenue.org
(*click on “HAPA” to check out their web site for details on all the musical and fundraising work they’ve been up to!)
