Thursday – Saturday, November 15 – 17:
16th Annual `Ukulele & Slack Key Guitar Festival.  This legendary annual music event will include popular local favorite musicians Jake Shimabukuro, Jeff Peterson, Sonny Lim, Led Kaapana, Nathan Awaeau, Mike Kaawa and more.  A festival like no other in the state, these musicians play together onstage and give back across the islands in local schools to inspire the next generation of `ukulele and kiho`alu performers. Thursday – Kanikapila; Friday – Ho`olaule`a; Saturday – Hana Hou. Kahilu Theater, 67-1186 Lindsey Rd., Waimea. Thursday & Friday, 7 p.m.; Saturday, 4 p.m.  For tickets and information call (808) 885-6868 or visit www.kahilutheatre.org. 

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.

Sunday, November 11: 
Free Entrance To Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park & Pu`uhonua O Honaunau In Honor Of Veterans Day.  The National Park Service announces that the public will be invited to experience all national parks, without entrance fees today.

Saturday, November 10:
Veteran’s Day Parade.  Parade begins at 10 a.m. at Wailoa State Park statue, proceeds to Kilauea Ave, to Waianuenue Ave., and to Kamehameha Ave. Enjoy a wide variety of exciting marching units, along with the music of island marching bands and Taiko drummers. For more information call (808) 930-3609 or visit www.hivetparade.org.

November 9 – 18:
Kona Coffee Fest.  For nearly 200 years much has been celebrated, discussed and enjoyed over a cup of Kona’s world famous coffee. Praised for its fine, light and memorable taste, Kona coffee once again takes center stage. Throughout the 10-day Festival, celebrate the harvest as Kona coffee farms offer a firsthand look at growing this world-famous crop. The coffee art scene fills with inspiration, and music and dance enrich cultural exchanges. Kona coffee and food events offer tastings, and hands-on cultural events help tell the story of Kona’s rich coffee history. Cost: $3 Festival Button. For information, event schedule, venues, and a list of locations to purchase Festival Buttons, call (808) 326-7820 or visit www.konacoffeefest.com.

Friday, November 9: 
Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Lantern Parade.  A glowing procession of light, music and color celebrates the arrival of Japanese immigrants to Hawai`i.  Ali`i Drive, Kailua Pier to Hale Halawai.  6 to 9 p.m.  For information, visit www.kvbid.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. 

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, upcoming shows will include interesting and informative talk stories with people involved with the recent Ironman World Championship in Kailua Kona and the many golf opportunities on the Big Island. 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’s past shows include lots of golf talk and interviews with players from the PGA TOUR Champions Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai every January and broadcast on NBC/Golf Channel. Emily T Gail Talk story is available at www.emilytgailtalkstory.podomatic.com online 24/7, via https://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.