Saturday & Sunday, January 18 & 19: 
Pacific Island Arts Festival.  Featuring the work of Hawai`i’s finest artists and handcraft artisans who display their work for sale, demonstrations of fine artists working onsite, Hawaiian quilters, ceramics to make and take home, and flower lei making. Enjoy live music, and hula presentations both days, as well as a celebration of the Chinese New Year with Lion Dancers on Sunday. Great food, shave ice, and drinks.  9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Kapiolani Park near the Bandstand at the Diamond Head end of Waikiki.   For information call (808) 696-6717.

January 15 to March 29:
Disney Presents “The Lion King”.  The Serengeti comes to life through the extraordinary vision that is The Lion King. More than 50 million people have felt the thrill of this Tony Award winner for Best Musical, which tells the classic journey of young royal heir Simba. Giraffes strut, birds swoop and gazelles leap in a dazzling panorama that overwhelms the sense and inspires you with the wonder of life.  Blaisdell Concert Hall, 777 Ward Ave., Honolulu.  Tickets available by phone at (866) 870-2717, online at www.lionking.com, or in person at The Blaisdell Box Office and any Ticketmaster Outlet.

Saturday, January 11:
24th Annual Ho’okipa Surf Classic from 7 am to 4 pm at Hookipa Beach Park on Maui’s North Shore. The memorial surf contest is held for Justin Roberson with a “Surfers for Safe Rides” theme. Eight divisions from small kids to master men, with a $1,000 cash prize for the Open Men Champ. Rain dates are January 12, 18 and 19. Call 298-8254 for more info., or visit www.hookipasurfclassic.com.

Saturday, January 11: 
Hangar Talk & Book Signing with Christina Olds.  Christina Olds is the author of Fighter Pilot: The Memoirs of Legendary Ace Robin Olds. Hangar Talk is from 2 to 3p.m. followed by the book signing at 3p.m. Free with Museum admission and free to Museum Members.  2 to 4 p.m. Pacific Aviation Museum, Pearl Harbor, 319 Lexington Blvd., Honolulu.  For information visit www.pacificaviationmuseum.org.

Saturday, January 11: 
Makahiki Kuilima.  This festival celebrates the Makahiki season, which begins with the first sighting of Makali`i, the constellation Pleiades, as it rises above the horizon at sunset. It’s the beginning of a four month period honoring Lono, the god worshipped for peace, prosperity, and fertility. During this season tributes were made, battles ceased, and sporting competitions thrived. Hawaiians used this time to refine athletic skills, emphasize spiritual and cultural renewal, and enjoy the prosperity of their aina (land).  The event is free and open to the public. Experience a day of festivities including traditional Makahiki sporting events such as hukihuki (tug of war), ulu maika (lawn bowling), uma (arm wrestling), heihei kukini (foot racing), o`o ihe (spear throwing), he`e holua (Hawaiian sledding), and hula. There will be artisans and crafters, educational exhibits, cultural demonstrations, and ono food.  8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Turtle Bay Resort, 57-091 Kamehameha Hwy., Kahuku.

Saturday, January 11: 
Blues Festival with Willie K and Friends.  To benefit the National Kidney Foundation of Hawai`i, outdoors at Maui Tropical Plantation, 1670 Honoapi`ilani Hwy between mile markers 2 & 3, Wailuku. 3 to 10 p.m. For information call (800) 451-6805 or (808) 244-7643 or visit www.mauitropicalplantation.com.

Friday, January 10: 
A Culinary Romp through Paradise.  Learn about and sample exotic local fruit while taking a leisurely tour of an exotic fruit farm. Enjoy a cooking demonstration and gourmet, four-course lunch at the outdoor courtyard of the Kaua`i Marriott Resort at Kalapaki Bay. The day ends with an exclusive tour of Hawai`i’s only meadery. 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., $140.  For information, call (808) 635-0257 or visit www.tastingkauai.com.  Reservations required three days before event.

Weekends January 10 – 26:
Kaua`i  Community Players Presents: Closer.  The 2014 season will open with an adult drama, Closer, by London playwright Patrick Marber, directed by Faith Harding. Closer is adult fare, having sexually-explicit language and themes. Closer originally played London’s Royal National Theatre in 1997. It won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for best foreign play.  It was adapted for the American stage and was nominated for a Tony Award in 1999. The movie version was directed by Mike Nichols and starred Julia Roberts, Natalie Portman, Clive Owens and Jude Law.  Puhi Theatrical Warehouse at 4411-E Kikowaena, Puhi. For tickets and information call (808)  245-7700 or visit www.kauaicommunityplayers.org.

Throughout the Month of January:
Queen Liliuokalani Legacies.  This program will feature selected readings from “Hawai`i’s Story by Hawai`i’s Queen” written by Queen Liliuokalani, a sing-along of the Queen’s music from “The Queen’s Songbook” published by Hui Hanai, a seven-minute film vignette “Ku`u Aina Aloha” (Beloved Land, Beloved Country) that expresses the love of these islands as inspired by the Queen, and a brief talk story moderated by members of the Iolani Guild of the Episcopal Church in Hawai`i.  For information call the numbers listed for each venue or visit www.librarieshawaii.org. Various times and venues across the Big Island:

• Thursday, January 9: Pahala Public Library, 96-3150 Pikake St., Pahala.  11:30 a.m.  (808) 928-2015.

• Saturday, January 11:  Kailua-Kona Public Library, 75-138 Hualalai Rd., Kailua-Kona.  3 p.m.  (808) 327-4327.

• Saturday, January 11:  North Kohala Public Library, 54-3645 Akoni Pule Hwy., Kapa`au. 6:30 p.m.  (808) 889-6655.

• Wednesday, January 15:  Thelma Parker Memorial Public & School Library, 67-1209 Mamalahoa Hwy., Kamuela.  6 p.m.  (808) 887-6067.

Every Tuesday
features the new Emily T Gail Show.  Emily’s show can be found online at www.espnhawaii.com under “Lineup” on the homepage.  Sponsored by Aloha – Big Island Visitor Guide, Emily “talks story” with recreational, high school and professional athletes, along with coaches, parents, organizers, and members of print and broadcast media. She talks about golf, running, swimming, biking, tennis, paddling, diving, skateboarding, as well as major league sports, high school sports, and college sports. For information, call Emily at (808) 896-6780, visit www.emilys.org, or email Emily at emilytgail@emilys.org.