Big Island Chocolate Festival
Friday, June 8:
Big Island Chocolate Festival. This inaugural sweet festival will feature celebrity chef demonstrations, cacao presentations and cacao farm tours, and an evening gala with silent auction, gourmet savory and sweet appetizers, beer/wine, and music and dancing. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, 72-100 Kaupulehu Drive, Kailua- Kona. For information visit www.bigislandchocolatefestival.com.
Hawaiiana Live
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.
Emily T Gail Talks Golf & Other Sports
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.
Kona Trail Sneak Preview at Kahuku
Sunday, June 3:
Kona Trail Sneak Preview at Kahuku. Celebrate National Trails Day! Join park ranger John Stallman for a guided four-mile roundtrip trek through the scenic highland pastures of the Kona Trail, which is not yet open to the general public. Learn the natural and cultural heritage of this special place. Discover the serenity and solitude of Kahuku. Fee. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hwy 11 (between mile marker 70 and 71), Ocean View. For information call (808) 985-7373 or visit www.fhvnp.org.
The Brothers Cazimero
Saturday, June 2:
The Brothers Cazimero. The brothers Cazimero pioneered a renaissance in Hawaiian culture in the early 1970’s, making an indelible mark on contemporary Hawaiian music. Kahilu Theater, 1186 Lindsey Road, Kamuela. For tickets and information call (808) 886-6868 or visit www.kahilutheatre.org.
Hula Kalaau.
Friday, June 1:
Hula Kalaau. Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park is proud to present the June Kahiko (traditional) Hula event with Hula Kala’au (wood sticks). Kala’au adds sound, rhythm, cadence, and visual affects to the hula. Visitors will have opportunities to learn from the kumu hula and participate in hula movements with the Kala’au. Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park, Hwy 160, Honaunau. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For information call (808) 328-2326 or visit www.nps.gov/puho.
Art and Traditions of Hula at Kilauea
Saturday, May 26:
Art and Traditions of Hula at Kilauea. Kumu Leilehua Yuen and Manu Josiah present a hula kahiko ‘infor- mance’ at the hula platform 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.; plus cultural/craft demonstrations from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, 19-4074 Old Volcano Road, Volcano Art Center Gallery, Hawaii National Park. For information call (808) 967-8222 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.
Swim Bike Run with Lance & Friends
Saturday – Monday, May 26 – 28:
Swim Bike Run with Lance & Friends. Seven-time Tour de France champion-turned-triathlete Lance Armstrong will spend Memorial Day weekend in Hawaii hosting a triathlon training camp on the Big Island’s Kona Coast. Armstrong will be joined by other triathletes including Craig Alexander, Chrissie Wellington, Dave Scott, Greg Welch and Jimmy Riccitello at the “Swim Bike Run with Lance & Friends” camp at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows, Kamuela. For infor- mation call (808) 988-1000 or visit www.sbrwithlanceandfriends.com.
Big Island Film Festival
Thursday – Monday, May 24 – 28:
Big Island Film Festival. An international film festival which celebrates narrative filmmakers and narrative films. With three movie venues, food and beverage events, workshops, celebrities,and Hawaiian music and culture, it’s rapidly gaining an international reputation. Some events are free. Fairmont Orchid Hotel, 1 North Kaniku Dr., Kamuela. Hours vary each day; check schedule on website. For information call (808) 883-0394 or visit www.bigislandfilmfestival.com.
Kokua Kailua Hulihe’e Palace Concert Series & Village Stroll.
Sunday, May 20:
Kokua Kailua Hulihe’e Palace Concert Series & Village Stroll. One Sunday each month from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Ali`i Drive along scenic Kailua Bay in Kailua-Kona becomes a festive pedestrian-only walkway. Enjoy music, artists, merchants and restaurants. At 4:00 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.