Every Wednesday:
Aloha Wednesday Art Classes – Creative Arts at Niaulani. Join VAC in a series of visual art classes every Wednesday at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village.  These weekly short classes focus on a wide range of visual art activities.Classes focusing on Lauhala Weaving with Ku‘uipo Kalahiki-Morales happen on June 5, 12 & 26.
Classes focusing on the Volcano Art Center Community Mosaic Project will meet on the following dates in June:
*Saturday, June 15 – Tile glazing with Lisa Louise Adams for the “We Love Volcano” mosaic
Wednesday, June 19– Tile glazing with Star Carlin for the “We Love Volcano” mosaic.
The mural will be on Hale Ho‘mana’s exterior wall for many years.  For more information- email Julie Williams at volcanowilliams@gmail.com.
We need your tile and broken ceramics donations to contribute to the community mosaic project! Please bring your donations to VAC’s Ni‘aulani Campus in Volcano Village where there is a donation station outside of Hale Ho‘omana.
These visual art programs are supported in part by a grant from the County of Hawai’i Office of Research and Development. Please contact 967-8222 for more information.

June 3, 2019:
Ni‘aulani Nature Walk. Guided nature walks through the rain forest at Niaulani are offered on Mondays at 9:30am.  The one hour, free guided walks introduce individuals, families and groups to the most diverse, intact, and accessible, old-growth koa/’ohi’a rain forest remaining in the state.  No reservations are required for groups of 5 or less. Free, but donations are greatly appreciated.  For further information e-mail: programs@volcanoartcenter.org

Monday June 3 & Tuesday June 4:
Leitis In Waiting.Not Rated | 72 min
Celebrate PRIDE at the Palace!
Documentary by Dean Hamer, Joe Wilson & Kumu Hina Wong-Kalu
Leitis in Waiting is a raw yet tender portrait of Joey Mataele and the Tonga leitis, an intrepid group of native transgender women fighting a rising tide of religious fundamentalism and intolerance in their South Pacific Kingdom.
Doors will open 30 minutes prior to each showing. Tickets are $8.50 General and $7.50 for Seniors & Students. Tickets available now at the Box Office and ONLINE.
Leitis in Waiting is the story of Joey Mataele and the Tonga leitis, an intrepid group of native transgender women fighting a rising tide of religious fundamentalism and intolerance in their South Pacific Kingdom.
The film follows Joey, a devout Catholic of noble descent, as she organizes an exuberant beauty pageant presided over by a princess, provides shelter and training for a young contestant rejected by her family, and spars with American-financed evangelicals threatening to resurrect colonial-era laws that criminalize the leitis’ lives. With unexpected humor and extraordinary access to the Kingdom’s royals and religious leaders, Joeys emotional journey reveals what it means to be different in a society ruled by tradition, and what it takes to be accepted without forsaking culture and tradition. Leitis in Waiting is an inside story, created by a Polynesian transgender woman who once competed, and won the crown in, Joey’s beauty pageant.
“Leitis in Waiting is a true gift to the world – mesmerizing and unflinching.” ~Jeannette Hereniko, President, Network for the Promotion of Asian Pacific Cinema

Saturday, June 1 & Sunday, June 2:
Made In Hawaii Film Festival. The Made in Hawaii Film Festival showcases the best of Hawaii-made independent films over a weekend-long festival at the historic Hilo Palace Theater. The 2019 program includes music videos, webseries, experimental, documentary and narrative shorts and features, with filmmakers in attendance for Q&As. Full film line up and schedule can be found at MIHFF.org
Tickets are available now at the Palace Box Office and ONLINE HERE
The MADE IN HAWAII FILM FESTIVAL mission is to spotlight cinema being made in and about the Hawaiian islands, in an effort to support and grow Hawaii’s independent arts.
Held at the historic Hilo Palace Theater, the 2nd annual MADE IN HAWAII FILM FESTIVAL  kicks off with a Silent Disco Dance Party on Friday, May 31.*
The festival continues throughout the weekend with engaging panel discussions, curated film blocks, and filmmaker Q&As. For a full schedule and film line up visit MIHFF.org. Get the most out of your festival experience by purchasing a Hilo Festival Pass, which provides access to all screenings and panels at the Palace Theater. Purchase a Weekend festival pass ONLINE.
Click on the titles below to purchase tickets for individual screening blocks.
Saturday’s program kicks off at 10 AM with SPEAKER SERIES: The Art Of Cinematography with RON GARCIA ASC (Hawai’i 5.0, Twin Peaks).

Saturday, May 25: 
Hawaiian Sunset Saturdays.  Celebrate Kona’s spectacular sunset with live Hawaiian music and Hula.  Coconut Grove Marketplace, 75-5809 Ali`i Dr., Kailua-Kona. 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Free admission.  For information, visit www.kvbid.org.

Sunday, May 19: 
Kokua Kailua Hulihe`e Palace Concert Series & Village Stroll.  Ali`i Drive along scenic Kailua Bay in Kailua-Kona becomes a festive pedestrian-only walkway from 1 to 6 p.m. Enjoy music, artists, vendor booths, merchants and restaurants. At 4 p.m., there is a free Hawaiian music concert on the lawn at Hulihe`e Palace. Bring your own mat or chair and they will be checked for free while you stroll Ali`i Drive, Kailua Village (Kona).  For information, visit www.kvbid.org.

May 18 – 24: 
Honoka`a Western Week, Parade, & Block Party.  Dress up western-style and visit Honoka`a town merchants and join in different paniolo-themed activities every night. Festivities include a parade on Saturday at 4 p.m., followed by a block party. Throughout the week, other activities will include Stick Horse Creation, Keiki Cowboy Games/Stick Horse Races, Honokaa Western Week movie, fashion show, line dancing, and more. On For more information and event schedule, visit www.honokaa.org/western-week.

Friday – Sunday, May 18 – 20: 
Hawai`i Kuauli Pacific and Asia Cultural Festival.  A celebration of Hawai`i Island as a cultural melting pot, this three day event will be packed with food, fashion, cultural expressions, a keiki hula competition and cultural workshops. The event begins Friday day evening with protocol from the various cultures represented. Saturday is filled with a wearable arts fashion show, arts & crafts demonstrations and the first annual Hawai`i Kuauli keiki hula competition. Sunday is a day of cultural workshops and education. The festival is a culturally based experience for both local residents and visitors. Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, 75-5660 Palani Rd., Kailua-Kona. Friday, 5 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Cost: Wearable Arts Fashion Show – $15 presale, $10 at the door. Keiki Hula Competition – $10 presale, $15 at the door; keiki, $5. For more information and event schedule, call (808) 895-4205 or visit www.HiKuauli.com.

Saturday, May 18: 
Hula Kahiko Performance. Hula halau from across Hawai`i and beyond perform in a one-of-a-kind outdoor setting at the kahua hula (platform) in the Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, located just a short walking distance from the Volcano Art Gallery in Ka`auea. 10:30 a.m.  Audience members are encouraged to bring sun/rain gear and sitting mat. Event is free, park fees apply. Date is subject to change; to confirm dates, call (808) 987-7288. Held in conjunction with the Hula Kahiko performances, enjoy a display of “Na Mea Hula” (all things hula). Visitors share in a variety of instruments, implements and lei styles that play an integral role in the life of the hula practitioner. This memorable demonstration is hands-on and family friendly.  Lanai of the Volcano Art Gallery. 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  For more information call (808) 967-8222 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.

Friday & Saturday, May 10 & 11: 
Kona Orchid Society Orchid Show, Plant & Craft Sale. Featuring orchid vendors from all over the island with exotic orchid species and exciting new hybrids. Orchid Growing Classes begin on the hour, from 11 a.m.to 3 p.m. Many handmade craft items, jewelry and fine art, and many types of plants available for sale. Old Airport Beach Park’s Maka`eo pavilion, 75-5560 Kuakini Hwy., Kailua-Kona. Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Free admission. For more information call (808) 333-0889, or visit http://www.konaorchidsociety.org.