Saturday, December 24:  Mokuaikaua Church Christmas Eve Candlelight Service.  This Christmas Eve service at Hawaii’s first Christian church (established in 1820) is always a beautiful and moving experience. All are welcome to this beautiful celebration of Jesus’ birthday.  Mokuaikaua Church, 75-5713 Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona.  8:00 p.m. For information call (808) 329-6718 or visit www.mokuaikaua.org.

Wednesday, December 21:  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.

Tuesday, December 20: 
Moonday Celebration.  The rare coincidence of the Winter Solstice and the full moon in total lunar eclipse on this day will be celebrated with a special evening of dining, music by the popular Puna Men’s Chorus, fire spinning by the Amberay Light Fire Troupe, a lunar eclipse ceremony and dancing under the Stars. 6 p.m. at Kalani Oceanside Retreat in Puna. Fee.  Kalani Ocean Retreat, 12-6860 Kapoho Kalapana Rd., Pahoa.  6:00 p.m.  For information call (808) 965-7828.

Sunday, December 18: 
The Messiah.  This perennial holiday favorite choral work by Frederich Handel will be performed by the orchestra and chorus of the very talented Kona Music Society. Audience members may bring a score and “sing along.”  Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa, 78-128 Ehukai Street, Kailua-Kona.  For information call (808) 334-9880 or visit www.konamusicsociety.org.

Sunday, December 18: 
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.

Saturday, December 17: 
Waimea Town Christmas Parade.  Waimea Town, a brilliant wonderland of color dripping with lights, serves as a backdrop to its annual Lighted Christmas Parade starting at 6 p.m. Spend the day visiting Waimea’s parks, beaches and hiking trails; browse through Waimea’s shops, eat dinner and stay for the entertainment following the parade at Hofgaard Park. The event is free and visitors are welcome to this colorful community event. After parade festivities include live, on-stage free music at Hofgaard Park, with free beverages, baked goods and treats.  For information call Mark Nellis at (808) 241-6500.

Saturday, December 17: 
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.

Saturday, December 17: 
2011 Na Mea Hawai`i Hula Kahiko Performance.  See traditional hula and chant performed outdoors on the hula platform overlooking Kilauea Crater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Cultural demonstrations from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at VAC Gallery. This outdoor presentation takes place rain or shine at the hula platform located near VAC Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Audience are encouraged to bring sitting mat and sun/rain gear. Free; park entrance fees apply.  For information call (808) 967-8222 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.

Sunday, December 11: Sunday Walk in the Park from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 pm.  This monthly program on second Sundays is aimed at bringing together the members of the Friends of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park to explore the park’s beautiful trails. Led by Nick Shema, this month’s 6-mile round-trip walk will explore the Puna Coast Trail.  This moderately strenuous 6-mile round-trip hike will traverse hardened pahoehoe lava along a windswept, sun-soaked landscape.  Hikers should be in good condition, able to do without shade all day in a remote, rugged area.  The walk is free to Friends members (though non-members are welcome to join the non-profit Friends group in order to attend). Park entrance fees apply. To register, contact Friends of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park at (808) 985-7373 or admin@fhvnp.org.

Saturday, December 10: 
Kona Community Christmas Parade.  An anticipated holiday event enjoyed by both young and old, residents and visitors. Business and community groups, musical and choral groups and many others take part in this colorful parade, which starts at 5 p.m. on Alii Drive in Kailua-Kona.  For information call (808) 323-4444 or visit www.paradesinkona.com.