May 19 – 28:
Puna Music Festival. Celebrate Puna and enjoy local music at the Puna Music Festival. With five major concerts and a schedule full of workshops, this week-long com- munity event is sure to be fun for all ages. A special feature concert will be held on Saturday, May 20, that is the only “open” concert in Hawaii – open to performers who wish to apply. Experiment with Songwriting, Drum Making, Ukelele, Nose Flute, and more in cutting-edge intensive workshops. Attend inspiring performances by featured artists. Be entertained by performances from local schools and bands – all while supporting the beautiful traditions of Hawaiian music. Kalani Oceanside Retreat, 12-6860 Kapoho Kalapana Road, Pahoa. For information call (808) 965-0468 or visit www.kalani.com.

Wednesday – Saturday, May 16 – 19: Ka Ula Lauhala O Kona. The skill of weaving with pandanus or lauhala leaves is taught in this four-day event offering workshops with top Hawaii instructors. There are six different sessions: Beginners, Intermediate I and II, Advanced I and II, and Specialties. Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort 6740 Ali`i Drive, Kailua-Kona. For information call (808) 938-0806.

Saturday & Sunday, May 12 & 13:
Kau Coffee Festival. An annual festival celebrating the bean in the beautiful Kau district. Featuring a Miss Kau Coffee pageant, a ho’olaulea honoring Kau coffee international awards, best coffee tasting, recipe contest, music and entertainment, farm tours, coffee demos and auction. At the Community Center in Pahala. Most events are free. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Pahala Community Center, 96-1149 Kamani St., Pahala. For informa- tion call (808) 928-0500 or visit www.kaucoffeefestival.com.

Friday, May 11:
Hawaii Island Humane Society’s 16th Annual Tropical Paws Benefit Gala. Hawaii Island Humane Society’s 16th annual Tropical Paws features silent and live auctions, Four Seasons-style buffet dinner, live entertainment, dancing. $100 per person or $1500 for reserved table of 10. Tickets at HIHS shelters, select retail locations & www.HIHS.org. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, 72-100 Kaupulehu Drive, Kailua-Kona. For information call (808) 326-7820.

Saturday, May 5:
Bike Works Beach & Sport at Queens’ Marketplace Waikoloa Beach Resort invites you to participate or watch the Cinco de Mayo Splash. Start time – 8:00am. The one mile swim at A Bay at Waikoloa Beach Resort is a benefit for the Junior Lifeguard Program of the Big Island and 2012 MS Charity Ride. Entry forms for the Cinco de Mayo Splash and info for being a member of Team Bike Works for the MS Charity Bike August 4-5 available at bikeworkshawaii.com. You can also hear Bike Works updates on the Emily T Gail Show, via espnhawaii.com, about community bike rides which occur every Tuesday… and much more.

Friday, May 4:
Hula Ili`ili. A Kahiko (traditional) Hula event with Hula Ili’ili (pebble dance). Ili’ili adds sound, rhythm, cadence, and visual affects to the hula. Visitors will have opportunities to learn from the kumu hula and partici- pate in hula movements with the Ili’ili. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pu`uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, Hwy 160, Honaunau. For information call (808) 328-2326 or visit www.nps.gov/puho.

Tuesday, May 1: He Mo’oleo O Ka Lei. This Lei Day event kicks off a celebration of the ‘story of the lei’ for the month of May in Hilo. Event features Hawaiian music by well known entertainers, hula, lei-making demonstrations and the heritage, history and culture of the lei. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kalakaua Park, Waianuenue and Kinaole St., Hilo. For information call (808) 961-5711 or visit www.leiday.net.

Tuesday, May 1:
May Day is Lei Day Festival. A celebration for all ages with lei-making demonstrations, ukulele band, talk-story and more. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, 19-4074 Old Volcano Rd., Volcano Art Center. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For information call (808) 967-8222 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.

Saturday & Sunday, April 28 & 29: A sanctioned, USATT, table tennis tournament will be take place at the Thelma Parker Gym in Waimea. Players are coming from all the Hawaiian Islands as well as the Mainland, including Alaska & Tennessee. Spectator admission is totally free. Contact Len Winkler for more info at 808-889-1099 or visit www.tabletennisandmore.com/2012bigislandopen.htm.

Wednesday, April 25: 
Spearfishing and the History of Kona.  This informative presentation looks at the history of Kona through the eyes of all-around waterman, Sonny Tanabe, author, former Olympic swimmer and an avid and accomplished spear fisherman and freediver. West Hawaii Civic Center, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Kailua-Kona.  5:30 p.m.  For information call (808) 323-3222 or visit www.konahistorical.org.