Sunday, January 29: 
Footprint Trail to Mauna Iki.  A guided geological hike to explore features from Footprints Trail to Mauna Iki in the Ka‘u Desert.  The 4-mile round trip hike begins at the Footprints trailhead to examine textural details of an ‘a‘a lava flow.   View footprints fossilized in the muddy ash by Keoua’s fallen army in 1790.  Approaching Mauna Iki, see a pahoehoe lava field.  Fee.  Non-members are welcome to join the non-profit Friends group in order to get the member discount.  For more info, contact Hawai‘i Volcanoes Institute at (808) 985-7373 or institute@fhvnp.org.  To register, visit www.fhvnp.org.

Saturday, January 28: 
The Art & Traditions of Hula at Kilauea. This program features kumu Maile Yamanaka offering 45-minute lessons in hula at 10:30a.m., lei making at 12:00 Noon and `ukulele playing at 1:30 p.m. (bring your `ukulele if you have one). Sign up on a first-come, first-serve basis that day. Open to all ages and levels. VAC Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free (donations welcome); park entrance fees apply.  For information call (808) 961-5711 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.

Thursday – Saturday, January 26-28: 
‘Iolani Luahine Hula Festival.  A festival honoring Aunty ‘Iolani Luahine, one of Hawaii’s premiere performers and cultural treasures. Includes a visit to ‘Iolani’s birthplace in Napo’opo’o Village, hula workshops and presentations, and an educational “challenge” to Kumu Hula, with a prize for the one who best demonstrates the values of ‘Iolani Luahine in regard to education and Hawaiian culture.   Keauhou Beach Resort.  Fee for hula workshops; evening musical entertainment will be offered to the public for a modest donation, with tickets available at the door. For more information, visit www.iolaniluahinefestival.org or contact adminisrator@nawaiiwiola.org

Saturday, January 21: 
Aloha Saturday.  These  programs feature performances, exhibits, demonstrations, workshops, lectures and more by Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners, scholars, musicians, hula halau and community groups.  Noon – 4 p.m.  Kālakaua Park in Hilo.  Free.  For information call (808) 961-5711 or visit www.ehcc.org.

January 21-23: 
Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai.  A PGA Tour Champions tournament competition among all official money-event champions of the 2010 and 2011 seasons, winners of the majors since 2007 and eight professionals by invitation with 15 or more career victories, including one major. This golf competition takes place on the Hualalai Golf Course, designed by Jack Nicklaus, and tournament guests enjoy the beautiful Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Kaupulehu. Confirmed players include reigning champion John Cook, Fred Couples, Bernhard Langer, Mark OMeara and Tom Watson.  Hualalai Resort, 72-100 Kaupulehu Drive, Kailua-Kona.  For information call (800) 417-2770 or visit www.pgatour.com.

Saturday, January 21:
Volcano Village Historic Homes Tour.  Boone Morrison, AIA, noted Volcano architect and expert in historic restoration, will lead a tour of historic homes and properties in the Volcano area. Visit historic properties with a knowledgeable guide, and to meet some of the people who have had a long association with the homes. Many of the structures built in the early 1900s remain in good condition, and several have been lovingly restored. The character of the old Village remains intact. The $30 fee includes transportation within the Village and light refreshments. 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Space is limited and the first tour held last June sold out quickly. Reserve your space by contacting volcanocommunity@gmail.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by calling 967-7366. Reservations will be confirmed when payment is received.

Saturday, January 21: 
Hilo to Volcano 50k Ultra Marathon and Relay.  For those hearty runners who are looking to go a little longer than your typical 5K, the Big Island Road Runners present the Hilo to Volcano 31 mile (50K) Ultra Marathon and Relay. At 6 a.m., individual runners completing the entire distance will depart from Coconut Island in Hilo. At 6:30 a.m., the relay participants will start at the same location. The runners will travel from Coconut Island to the Cooper Center in Volcano. Each relay team will consist of 3 runners and all runners must provide their own support vehicles. For information visit www.bigislandroadrunners.org.

Sunday, January 15: 
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.

Sunday, January 8: 
Sunday Walk in the Park.  The 3.5-mile round-trip walk explores the summit area of the park.  Hike through rain forest rich with native plant and bird life, watch volcanism in action at Steam Vents and Steaming Bluff, plus smell the volcanic gases and see the multi-colored mineral deposits at Sulfur Banks.  Get great views of Mauna Loa, Pele’s home at Halema’uma’u Crater, and Kilauea Caldera, one of the most active volcanoes on earth.  Meet at the Kilauea Visitor Center.  The walk is free to Friends members (though non-members are welcome to join the non-profit Friends group in order to attend).  1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Park entrance fees apply.  To register, contact Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park at (808) 985-7373 or admin@fhvnp.org.  For more info, visit www.fhvnp.org.

Saturday, December 31:  Mochi Pounding at Historic Wailea Village.  Celebrate the New Year with demonstrations of and participation in traditional Japanese mochi pounding and making of rice cakes. Plus New Year’s crafts, calligraphy & floral arrangements, taiko drumming, Hawaiian entertainment, local lunch and more. Akiko’s Bed & Breakfast, Wailea Village at the 15-mile marker on Hwy. 19 on the Hamakua Coast.  For information call (808) 963-6422.