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/.

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 http://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 Talks Story” show is available at www.EmilyTGailTalkStory.podomatic.com  online 24/7 and via https://www.facebook.com/emilytgailtalkstory/ and a free iTunes podcast. Emily “talks story​”​ ​about sports, recreation and community events in communities where Emily is involved: Island of Hawai`i and Detroit, her home town.  Sponsored by Aloha Big Island Visitor Guide, this month Emily talks with Greg McLaughlin, President, PGA TOUR Champions about the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai (Four Seasons Resort) January 16-20 for the 22nd year.  Kelly Fliear, Tournament Manager, will talk about the Golf Channel Broadcast, the Rotary Club of Kona organizing the volunteer effort and the monies raised for the Rotary Club of Kona Community Foundation, Big Island Junior Golf, and the Daniel R Sayre Foundation. Players in the field of 45+ players include Hale Irwin, Olin Browne, Mark O’Meara, Peter Jacobson, Fred Funk, Fred Couples, some of whom will be guests with Emily along with Mark Rolfing, NBC/Golf Channel.  Advance Tickets available at pgatour.com/mec – $20 daily, $40 week, or at the gate add $5. Juniors and military complimentary. For show information contact Emily at (808) 896-6780 or emilytgail@emilys.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 http://volcanoartcenter.org/.

January 1 – 9: 
8^th Annual Waimea Ocean Film Festival.  The festival brings an immersive visual experience to the island, 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. Over sixty films feature ocean experience, ocean environment, island culture, inspiring stories and epic adventure. In addition to the films, interactive presentations, exhibits, Breakfast Talks, and ocean-based activities add a dynamic element to the festival. 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. Beginning Monday – Thursday, January 1- 4, at venues in Waimea: the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel and The Fairmont Orchid; then moving Friday – Tuesday, January 5 – 9 to Four Seasons Hualalai Resort.  New this year, 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.  For information, schedule of events, and to purchase passes, visit http://www.waimeaoceanfilm.org/.

Saturday, December 30: 
Annual Wailea Village Mochi Pounding. Celebrate making traditional rice cakes the “old-fashioned” way.  Everyone takes their turn at pounding the glutinous sticky rice for good luck. Hearty local style lunch available to purchase for $5. New Year’s crafts, food vendors, fortune telling, massage, I Ching readings, floral arrangements, plantation stories, Okinawan taiko drumming, Hawaiian entertainment & more.  Akiko’s Buddhist Bed & Breakfast, 29-2091 Old Mamalahoa Hwy. (Hwy 19 – 15 mile marker), Hakalau.  8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; fire building begins at 7 a.m. For information call (808) 963-6422.

Thursday – Saturday, December 21 – 23: 
The Nutcracker Ballet.  West Hawai`i Dance Theatre and Academy lights up the holidays by presenting Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker Ballet.” This visually stunning, festive, family-friendly production includes more than 60 local dancers, guest dancers from The Maui Academy of Performing Arts, and guest professional dancers from the Matsuyama Ballet, Carolina Ballet and Bolshoi Ballet.  A Silent Auction and Nutcracker Boutique will be held in the lobby. Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Rd., Waimea.  Thursday & Friday, 6 p.m.; Saturday, 2 p.m.  For tickets call (808) 885-6868 or visit http://kahilutheatre.org/. For information call (808) 329-8876 or visit http://whdt.org/.

Sunday, December 17:
Jingle Beach Run.  The Big Island’s largest and most anticipated 5k run/walk event. This holiday-themed fun run is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season! Coconut Grove Marketplace, 75-5809 Ali`i Dr., Kailua-Kona. 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. Cost: $25-40. For information, call (808) 345-6214, email penn@hawaiisportevents.com or visit www.kona5k.com.

Saturday, December 16:
Kainaliu Kalikimaka.  Kainaliu Kalikimaka will be a family fun holiday stroll through the town of Kainaliu, with live music, Santa, carolers, stores open late, vendors, holiday lights, and free giveaways. 5 to 8:30 p.m.  Free admission.