Sunday, January 20: 
39th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration. This annual observance to honor the great civil rights leader will take place in Maka`eo Pavilion. There will be a complimentary luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; the program will start at 1:15 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. The celebration will consist of displays of art, songs, and music by local schools and the community. Old Airport Beach Park, 75-5560 Kuakini Hwy., Kailua-Kona.  For information call Virginia Halliday at (808)325-1112 or Mamie Bramlett, at (808) 331-1448.

Sunday, January 20: 
Kokua Kailua Hulihe`e Palace Concert Series & Village Stroll.  Ali`i Drive along scenic Kailua Bay in Kailua-Kona becomes a festive pedestrian-only walkway from 1 to 6 p.m. Enjoy music, artists, vendor booths, merchants and restaurants. At 4 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, January 12: 
Jake Shimabukuro.  Every major artist has that one defining album orperformance, but for ukulele master Jake Shimabukuro, his entire career has been filled with such magical achievements. Since he first came to the world’s attention with his deeply beautiful and original take on George Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” in a viral video that dominated YouTube in 2005, the Hawaiian-born Shimabukuro has virtually reinvented the four-string instrument, causing many to call him “the Jimi Hendrix of the `ukulele.”  Hilo Palace Theater, 38 Haili St., Hilo. Door opens at 6 p.m., show 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or over the phone with a credit card. All ticket prices increase by $5 day of show.  For tickets and information call (808) 934-7010 M-F, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or visit www.hilopalace.com.

Saturday, January 12: 
Hula Kahiko Performance. Hula halau from across Hawai`i and beyond perform in a one-of-a-kind outdoor setting at the kahua hula (platform) in the Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, located just a short walking distance from the Volcano Art Gallery in Ka`auea. 10:30 a.m.  Audience members are encouraged to bring sun/rain gear and sitting mat. Event is free, park fees apply. Date is subject to change; to confirm dates, call (808) 987-7288. Held in conjunction with the Hula Kahiko performances, enjoy a display of “Na Mea Hula” (all things hula). Visitors share in a variety of instruments, implements and lei styles that play an integral role in the life of the hula practitioner. This memorable demonstration is hands-on and family friendly.  Lanai of the Volcano Art Gallery. 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  For more information call (808) 967-8222 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.

Every Friday: 
Aloha Fridays at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.  A free hands-on demonstration lesson is given in a cultural craft that varies each week. Volcano Art Center Gallery porch in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Free (donations welcome); park entrance fees may apply. For information call (808) 967-8222 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.

Every Tuesday: 
Kanikapila with Wes Awana and Friends.  Kanikapila jam sessions are open to all musicians.  Bring your own instrument and enjoy “garage style” jamming.  Volcano Art Center, Niaulani Campus, Great Room of the Admin Building, Volcanoes National Park. 5:30 to 7 p.m. Admission is free, donations are gratefully accepted. Park entrance fees may apply. For information call (808) 967-8222 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org. 

Every Tuesday Morning:
BikeWorks Beach & Sport – Queens Marketplace. Free fun road ride for cyclists of all levels at 8:15 a.m. Rental bikes available. Get updates on all the BikeWorks activities on the Emily T Gail Show at http://espnhawaii.com/ under the lineup or visit http://www.bikeworkshawaii.com/. Queens Marketplace, Waikoloa Beach Rd. For information about other community rides and/or bike routes call BikeWorks at (808) 886-5000.

Every Monday:
Niaulani Nature Walk.  A free, guided rain forest tour in Volcano. This one-hour nature walk travels through a lush portion of an old-growth Hawaiian rain forest on an easy, 1/7-mile loop trail. The walk introduces visitors to the native plants and birds of Volcano. Guides focus on the biological, ecological, and geological features of the area, and the cultural usages of flora and fauna by native Hawaiians. Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus, 19-4074 Old Volcano Rd., Volcano Village. 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Free; donations welcome. For more information call (808) 967-8222 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.

The Emily T Gail Show, aka “Emily T Gail Talk Story” is about sports, recreation and community events where Emily is involved: Hawai`i Island and Detroit, her home town.  Sponsored by Aloha Big Island Visitor Guide, recent shows include interesting talk stories with John and Judy Collins, founders 40 years ago of the Ironman World Championship which was  held in Kailua-Kona in October.  Emily will have interviews with players from the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai January 17, 18, & 19. The Mitsubishi Electric Championship at the Four Seasons Hualalai is a PGA TOUR Champions 54-hole stroke play event.   The tournament is broadcast on NBC Golf Channel and raises funds for the Rotary Club of Kona Community Foundation, Big Island Junior Golf, and Daniel R. Sayre Foundation. Jerry Kelly defends. Tickets available at the gate. $20 daily $40 tournament pass.  Emily will have updates about events and activities for the Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative, PATH-Connecting People and Places, Hawai`i Cycling Club, Bikeworks Beach and Sport.   She will remind you of the many complimentary activities available in Kailua Village, Queens Marketplace and Kings’ Shops at Waikoloa Beach Resort and The Shops at Mauna Lani.  Emily T Gail Talk story is available at www.emilytgailtalkstory.podomatic.com online 24/7, via www.facebook.com/emilytgailtalkstory, a free iTunes podcast, and Emily T Gail Talk Story on You Tube. Contact Emily T Gail at 808 896-6780 or emilytgail@emilys.org.

January 1 – 9:
9th Annual Waimea Ocean Film Festival – Various Locations  The festival brings an immersive visual experience to the island each January, offering guests heart-pounding adventure, giant surf, marine life, international expeditions and ocean action, all while garnering greater insight and understanding into the ocean environment and island culture. Breakfast Talks provide an intimate setting for guests to connect with filmmakers and special guests to ask questions and hear the behind-the-scenes stories that bring the films to life. Films will screen outdoors at Four Seasons’ Hoku Amphitheatre. Waimea venues include Kahilu Theatre, Hawai`i Preparatory Academy (HPA), Parker School Theatre and Anna Ranch. Festival passes and event schedule available online at www.waimeaoceanfilm.org.