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 http://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, Emily’s recent shows include lots of golf talk as the PGA TOUR Champions Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai in January broadcast on NBC/Golf Channel worldwide put the spotlight on golf, sunshine and beaches in Hawai`i to viewers and listeners all over the world. Recent shows also include Talk Story with Greg McLaughlin, President, PGA TOUR Champions, Kelly Fliear, Tournament Manager Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai, Wes Wailehua, Aloha Section PGA, Jack Berry, long time sports writer, Mark Rolfing, NBC Golf Channel.  Past shows and upcoming shows include interesting and informative talk stories with people involved with events and activities for the ​Waikoloa Dry Forest ​Initiative, PATH-Connecting People and Places, Hawai`i Cycling Club, Hawai`i Wildlife Center, Daniel R Sayre Foundation, Big Island Mountain Biking, Bike Works Beach & Sport community bike rides and  much more. 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 at (808) 896-6780 or emilytgail@emilys.org.

Saturday, May 26:
Hawaiian Sunset Saturdays.  Celebrate Kona’s spectacular sunset with live Hawaiian music and Hula.  Coconut Grove Marketplace, 75-5809 Ali`i Dr., Kailua-Kona. 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Free admission.  For information, visit http://kvbid.org/.

May 20 – 28:
Honoka`a Western Week, Parade, & Block Party.  Dress up western-style and visit Honoka`a town merchants and join in different paniolo-themed activities every night. On Friday, May 25^th, the Block Party will be from 3 – 10 p.m., the Parade will be at 5 p.m. For more information, visit Honoka`a Western Week on Facebook.

Sunday, May 20:
Annual Farm Festival at Hamakua Harvest.  A free, family-friendly event celebrating local agriculture and the community. The festivities will feature locally produced goods and artisanal food available from numerous vendors. Enjoy an all-day lineup of some of the best local musicians, stop by the educational presentations or the hands-on exhibits. Children will enjoy the expanded Keiki zone. Treat yourself to anything from fancy dinners to local products at the Silent Auction. Joshua Lanakila Mangauil of the Hawaiian Cultural Center of Hamakua opens the festivities with a traditional Hawaiian protocol, and the cultural center’s hula halau will take the stage to entertain and inspire. Learn all about taro (kalo), a Hawaiian staple, from planting the “huli” to pounding poi. Free admission.  Hamakua Harvest, 44-2600 Mamalahoa Hwy., Honoka`a (at the intersection of Mamane Street and Mamalahoa/Highway 19).  8 a.m. to 3 p.m.  For more information, call (808) 640-2506 or visit www.hamakuaharvest.org.

Sunday, May 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, 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 http://kvbid.org/.

Saturday, May 19:
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 http://volcanoartcenter.org/.

Friday – Sunday, May 18 – 20:
Hawai`i Kuauli Pacific and Asia Cultural Festival.  A celebration of Hawai`i Island as a cultural melting pot, this three day event will be packed with food, fashion, cultural expressions, a keiki hula competition and cultural workshops. The event begins Friday day evening with protocol from the various cultures represented. Saturday is filled with a wearable arts fashion show, arts & crafts demonstrations and the first annual Hawai`i Kuauli keiki hula competition. Sunday is a day of cultural workshops and education. The festival is a culturally based experience for both local residents and visitors. Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, 75-5660 Palani Rd., Kailua-Kona. Friday, 4:30 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Cost: Wearable Arts Fashion Show – $10. Keiki Hula Competition – $10; 5-10 years, $5; Under 4 years, free. For more information, call (808) 895-4205 or visit www.HiKuauli.com.

Friday, May 18:
Big Island Comedy Eruption.  A night of laughs as comedians Champ and Kaleo Pilanca, “The New C & K Uncut”, hit the Palace stage. Also featured will be some of Big Island’s very own amateur comedians, and music by Media. There will be a beer garden with Heineken and Coors Light available. Tickets: $20 General; $35 VIP Seating (includes two drinks). All tickets will be $5 more at the door.  Tickets can be purchased at the box office or over the phone with a credit card at (808) 934-7010, M-F, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information visit http://hilopalace.com/.

Friday & Saturday, May 11 & 12:
Kona Orchid Society Orchid Show, Plant & Craft Sale. Featuring orchid vendors from all over the island with exotic orchid species and exciting new hybrids. Orchid Growing Classes begin on the hour, from 11 a.m.to 3 p.m. Many handmade craft items, jewelry and fine art, and many types of plants available for sale. Old Airport Beach Park’s Maka`eo pavilion, 75-5560 Kuakini Hwy., Kailua-Kona. Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Free admission. For more information call (808) 333-0889, or visit http://www.konaorchidsociety.org.