Friday, October 17:
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.

Friday & Saturday, October 17 & 18:
Talk Story Festival. Nine storytellers each night share the stage, 20 minutes each, with dramatic lighting and gifted sign language interpreters. Video of these performances is projected beside the stage. Gates open at 5 p.m. Friday – SP0oOoKY Stories, Saturday – Pele & Hi’iaka Epics. McCoy Pavilion Auditorium, Ala Moana Beach Park, 1201 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu. 6 to 9:30 p.m. both nights. For information call (808) 768-3032.

Sunday, October 12:
9^th Annual Maui Ukulele Festival. Enjoy a relaxed afternoon on the lawn as acclaimed ukulele musicians fill the air with island music. Frequently featured in the line-up are Herb Ohta San & Nando Suan, Richard Ho`opi`i, Kamakakehau Fernandez, the Hula Honeys and more – including talented senior and student groups. Fine ukulele will be featured as door prizes. The festival also features displays of made-in-Hawai`i arts and crafts and ono-licious island foods available for purchase. Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Event Lawn, 1 Cameron Way, Kahului. 1 – 6 p.m. Event is Free. For information call (808) 242-7469 or visit www.mauiarts.org.

Saturday, October 11:
Cool Kailua Nights. An annual block party held in Kailua Town Center. Celebrate the best of Kailua’s food, fun and spirit at this street festival and wellness fair.  The festivities include a variety of great food, exciting local entertainment, carnival rides, a dunking booth, giveaways & more. Whole Food Parking Lot, 629 Kailua Rd., Kailua. 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. For information, visit www.coolkailuanights.com.

Saturday, October 11:
Hispanic Heritage Festival and Health Fair. Live entertainment, food booths, crafts, cultural displays, specialty booths, children’s activities and information from different community/health agencies. The Low-Riders Pride Car Club of Hawai`i presents a display of cars and bikes. The family friendly event is free; however a donation of one can of food for every person attending is requested for the Hawai`i Food Bank, or any type of school supplies that will go to keiki at an adopted school. Drop these off at the volunteer booth. Kapiolani Park Bandstand in Waikiki, 2748 Monsarrat Ave., Honolulu. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For information call (808) 285-0072.

Saturday, October 11:
Imiloa Wayfinding & Navigation Festival. Celebrate the historic feats of Pacific navigators and current day efforts to revive and expand celestial navigation skills and interest in long distance deep-sea canoe voyaging that connects the many indigenous island communities in the Pacific Ocean. Wayfinding and celestial navigation is an ancient knowledge that shows us the power of human initiative and intuition, before modern navigation systems became available to explore the unknown. Imiloa Astronomy Center, 600 Imiloa Pl., Hilo. For information call (808) 969-9703 or visit www.imiloahawaii.org.

Saturday, October 11:
Eo e Emalani i Alakai. Kaua‘i’s mountain forest echo with the sounds of Hawaiian music and traditional chants at this free annual festival. At noon, Queen Emma and her entourage enter the Kanaloahuluhulu Meadow on horseback, accompanied by hula halau who perform chants and dances as gifts for the Queen. Enjoy exhibits, craft demonstrations, and local food for sale. Koke`e State Park. 10 a.m. Free. For information call (335) 997-8022 or visit www.Kokee.org.

Friday, October 11:
Ke’ala’iliahi 2014 – Never Forgot(ten) Maui`s own Halau Kekuaokala`au`ala`iliahi presents a humble reflection and artful expression of the Wailuku-based halau’s first ten years. The halau will share the stage with beloved friends. Silent auction and pre-show activities begin at 4 p.m.  Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Castle Theater, 1 Cameron Way, Kahului. For tickets and information call (808) 242-7469 or visit www.mauiarts.org.

Saturday, October 11:
Ironman Triathlon World Championship. The top 1,800 triathletes from around the world converge on Kona for this Super Bowl of triathlon events, featuring a 2.4-mile ocean swim off Kailua Pier, a 112-mile bike course to Hawi and a 26.2 mile run. The top triathletes swim at 6:30 a.m. The top finishers complete the event around 3:30 p.m.; the last official finisher is at midnight. Spectators may enjoy the race anywhere along the course (but note that roads around the area are closed), but being right downtown in Kailua Village is the best way to see the action. For information call (808) 329-0063 or visit www.ironman.com/worldchampionship.

Saturday, October 11:
A Taste of Kilohana. An exclusive, guided food tour that offers a seasonal taste of Kilohana Plantation. Ride an open-air plantation-style train, feed wild boar, goats and chickens and stroll through the orchard with an expert in local agriculture. Pick, eat, and learn how to select and prepare exotic tropical fruit. Tour the historic Manor House. Finally, enjoy a three-course, locally sourced meal in the Private Dining Room of the historic Wilcox Mansion. $115. Kilohana Plantation, Lihue. 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. For reservations and information call (808) 685-0257.