January 2 – 10:
Waimea Ocean Film Festival.  The seventh annual Waimea Ocean Film Festival is at numerous venues on Hawai`i Island, including Waimea theaters, The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai`i, the Mauna Kea Resort and Four Seasons Resort, Hualalai. Ocean Film brings over 60 films to the big screen each year. Most are world, U.S., Hawai`i or Big Island of Hawai`i premieres, with many filmmakers in attendance. Films fall into categories of ocean experience, such as surfing; ocean environment; and island culture and history. In addition, films of broader cultural, historic and conservational appeal are also featured, as well as generally inspirational film and stories of epic adventure. In addition to film, the festival offers intimate breakfast talks, Q & A filmmaker sessions and more. Festival passes and program information and venues are available online at http://www.waimeaoceanfilm.org/. For more information call (808) 854-6095 or email info@waimeaoceanfilm.org

Every Monday:
Historic Waimea Walking Tour.  Take a 3 hour walk back through time in the place where Captain Cook first landed in Waimea.  Learn about the last King of Kaua`i, the missionaries, and other famous citizens of Waimea and the landmarks they left behind. West Kaua`i Technology & Visitor Center, 9565 Kaumuali`i Hwy., Waimea. 8:30 a.m. Reservations required no later than 3:30 p.m. Friday before that Monday to schedule a tour.  For reservations and information call (808) 338-1332 or visit http://www.westkauaivisitorcenter.org/.

Every Monday:
Niaulani Nature Walk.  A free, guided rain forest tour in Volcano. This one-hour nature walk travels through a lush portion of an old-growth Hawaiian rain forest on an easy, 1/7-mile loop trail. The walk introduces visitors to the native plants and birds of Volcano. Guides focus on the biological, ecological, and geological features of the area, and the cultural usages of flora and fauna by native Hawaiians. Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus, 19-4074 Old Volcano Rd., Volcano Village. 9:30 a.m. Free; donations welcome. For more information call (808) 967-8222 or visit http://volcanoartcenter.org/.

Daily through January 16:
Ice Rink at Ward Village.  Strap on some skates at the outdoor ice rink. Admission gives you an hour-and-a-half of skate time. $16. $15 with a coupon from a Ward Village purchase.  Ward Village, 1240 Ala Moana Blvd. Hours vary. For more information visit http://www.wardvillage.com/events/ice-rink.

Daily: 
Ha`aheo `O Hawai`i Exhibit.  Cleopatra’s Barge was an opulent yacht built in Massachusetts in 1816. It became The Royal Yacht of King Kamehameha II but was wrecked in 1824. It cost about $50,000 to build, and about the same amount for luxury furnishings. Marvel at the opulence of this beautifully crafted ship, whose splendor was breathtaking for its day.  Kaua`i Museum, 4428 Rice St., Lihue.  Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., every day except Sundays.  Admission is $10 adults, $6 students 13-17 years, $2 Children 6 – 12 years, 5 years and under free.  For information call (808) 245-6931 or visit http://www.kauaimuseum.org/.

The Emily T Gail Show, aka “Emily T. Gail Talks Story” show is found on http://espnhawaii.com/ online, all the time and via https://www.facebook.com/emilytgailtalkstory/ and a free iTunes podcast. Emily “talks story” with recreational, high school and professional athletes, along with coaches, parents, community organizers and members of print and broadcast media. She talks about how keiki, high school, college, major league and recreational sports play an important part in communities where Emily is involved; Big Island of Hawai`i and Detroit, her home town.  Sponsored by Aloha Big Island Visitor Guide.  Emily will also have updates on local events like the Community Bike rides every Tuesday 8:15 a.m. from Bike Works at Queens Marketplace, AmerAri Division I Intercollegiate Golf Tournament at Waikoloa Kings’ February 1-4, Waikoloa Dry Forest Wiliwili Festival at Waikoloa Stables in Waikoloa Village January 28th, and PATH Connecting People & Places activities and events. Queens Marketplace Entertainment at Center Court and Kailua Village multi-sport activities.  Contact Emily at (808) 896-6780 or emilytgail@emilys.org.

Every Monday through Saturday Night:
Jazz Minds.  A fun, eclectic café, featuring live Jazz music, cocktails and food, served in an ultra-comfy, hip setting.  Different bands perform nightly.  1661 Kapiolani Blvd., near the Ala Moana Shopping Center.  6:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. nightly; closed Sundays.  For information and entertainment schedule call (808) 945-0800 or visit http://jazzhonolulu.com/index.html.

Sunday, January 1:
Hatsumode 2017.  For the Japanese community, New Years is the most important of all cultural holidays when millions of people visit a shrine on New Year ’s Day. Embrace the spirit of the Japanese here in Hawai`i where you can be blessed for the New Year, get your head bitten by a Japanese Shishi lion for good luck, be invigorated by taiko drums and partake of ozoni mochi soup. Hawai`i Kotohira Jinsha-Hawai`i Dazaifu Tenmangu, 1239 Olomea St., Honolulu. Parking with free shuttle at Damien Memorial School, 1401 Houghtailing, Honolulu. Midnight to 5 p.m.  For details and schedules visit http://www.e-shrine.org/.