Saturday, July 14: 
Kilauea Cultural Festival.  Held in the special setting of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, this popular annual festival helps preserve and perpetuate the Hawaiian culture and traditional arts. Featuring Hawaiian music, hula, crafts sales and demonstrations by local artists and practitioners. Free.  Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Crater Rim Drive.  10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  For information visit (808) 985-6166.

Saturday & Sunday, July 14 & 15: 
Big Island Hawaiian Music Festival.  Featuring Slack Key Guitar and Ukulele, Steel Guitar, Ukulele and Falsetto with Hula. Vendors offer a variety of food and arts/crafts selections at reasonable prices. Craft demonstrations and Slack Key or Ukulele workshops are also available.  Afook Chinen Civic Auditorium, 799 Pi`ilani Street & Manono Street, Hilo.  12 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily.  For information call (808) 961-5711 or visit www.ehcc.org.

Saturday, July 7: 
Na Mea Hawaii Hula Kahiko Performance:  See traditional hula and chant performed outdoors on the hula platform overlooking Kilauea Crater, featuring Halau Na Pua O Uluhaimalama at 10:30 a.m.; Hawaiian cultural demonstrations at Volcano Art Center Gallery, 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Free; park entrance fees apply.  Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, 19-4074 Old Volcano Rd, Volcano.  For information call (808) 967-8222 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.

Saturday, July 7: 
Barry Flanagan in Concert.  Guitarist Barry Flanagan is half of the internationally acclaimed Hawaiian music duo of HAPA. In this performance, Barry will play and tell stories about Hawaii from his personal experiences living here. Fee.  Volcano Art Center Niaulani Campus, 19-4074 Old Volcano Rd., Volcano.  For information call (808) 967-8222 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.

Wednesday, July 4: 
Turtle Independence Day.  This event educates people about endangered Hawaiian green sea turtles. Watch as the young honu (turtles), which have grown up in the ponds at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows, are given their freedom as they are released back into the ocean. Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows, 68-1400 Mauna Lani Dr., Kamuela.  9:00 a.m.  For more information call (808) 881-7911.

Every Wednesday:
Hawaiiana Live. Experience Hawaiian history, traditions and culture through storytelling, film, music, oli (chant) and hula. Topics change weekly as the program revolves around the Hawaiian lunar calendar. Newly restored pipe organ featured. Palace Theater in Hilo. Wednesdays at 11 a.m. $5/children free. Call (808) 934-7010 or visit www.hilopalace.com.

Wednesday, July 4: 
Annual Parker Ranch Rodeo.  This Independence Day weekend tradition includes action-packed rodeo events, keiki (children) activities, delicious food and more. Parker Ranch paniolo (Hawaiian cowboys) are joined by other Big Island paniolo for a corral of traditional rodeo events.  Parker Ranch Arena, 67-1435 Mamalahoa Hwy., Kamuela.  9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  For information call (808) 885-7311 or visit www.parkerranch.com.

Wednesday, July 4: 
Volcano Village July 4.  Enjoy a real small town Independence Day parade at one of the most unique communities on Hawaii Island – Volcano Village at the 4,000-foot elevation next to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Includes parade, craft fair, huge farmers market and local musical entertainment. Cooper Center, 19-4030 Wright Rd., Pahoa.  9 a.m. to 10 p.m.  For information call (808) 967-7800.

Wednesday, July 4: 
Kailua Kona Independence Day Parade.  The parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Kekuaokalani Gym and travel south on Kuakini Hwy., down Palani Road to Ali`i Drive along to Walua Road.  For information visit www.paradesinkona.com.

Every Sunday 6:00 pm:
Emily T Gail Talks Golf & Other Sports sponsored by Aloha Big Island Visitor Guide is an hour long conversation with and about people and events on the Big Island and the mainland. Emily talks with recreational, high school and professional athletes and the coaches, the parents, the organizers, the media and so much more. Learn what’s going on in sports on the island where visitors are always welcome to participate and be a part of our Big Island Sports community. ESPN Radio AM850 Hilo AM790 Kona. Emily T Gail (808) 896-6780, emilytgail@emilys.org, www.emilys.org.