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/.

Saturday, July 1: 
Opera on the Rocks.  Lively, fun opera-in-a-bar, featuring famous drinking moments from opera.  Palace Theatre Lobby, 38 Haili St., Hilo.  7 p.m.  $30 admission.  For information call (808) 333-7378; for tickets call (808) 934-7010 or visit http://www.hawaiiperformingartsfestival.org/.  Tickets will be available at the door.

The Emily T Gail Show, aka “Emily T. Gail Talks Story” show is found on http://espnhawaii.com/ online, all the time and via https://www.facebook.com/emilytgailtalkstory/ and a free iTunes podcast. Emily “talks story​”​ ​about recreational, high school​, professional ​sports​ along with ​talking story with ​​athletes, ​coaches, parents, community organizers and members of print and broadcast media. She talks about how sports and recreation play an important part in communities where Emily is involved; Island of Hawai`i and Detroit, her home town.  Sponsored by Aloha Big Island Visitor Guide, ​Emily ​has ​updates on ​Waikoloa Beach Resort​ events such as the Community Bike ​Rides​ every​ Tuesday at​ 8:15 a.m. from Bike Works at Queens Marketplace​ and Queens Marketplace Coronation Pavilion Entertainment and Kings’ Shops Center Court Entertainment. ​She has events and activity updates for the ​Waikoloa Dry Forest ​Initiative, PATH-Connecting People and Places, Hawai`i Cycling Club, Hawai`i Wildlife Center and Kailua Village Peaman & Team Mango multi -sport activities and more.  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/.

Throughout the Month of July:
Obon Dance & Festival.  The Obon tradition was brought to Hawai`i by Japanese immigrants and evolved into a social and cultural event, as well as a religious custom designed to honor ancestors through an evening of dance, music and merry-making.  Free.  Festivities and Dance schedules and locations are listed below (subject to change):

• Saturday, July 1:  Kohala Hongwanji, 53-4033 Akoni Pule Hwy., Kohala.  Service 6 p.m., Dance 7 p.m.  For information call (808) 775-7232.
• Saturday, July 1:  Puna Honwanji, 16-492 Old Volcano Rd., Puna.  Service 6 p.m., Dance 7:30 p.m.  For information call (808) 966-9981.
• Saturday, July 8:  Hilo Meisho-in, 97 Olona St., Hilo. Service 6 p.m., Dance 7 p.m.  For information call
• (808) 935-6996.
• Saturday, July 8:  Kohala Jodo Mission, 54-541 Kapa`au Rd., Kohala.  Service 5 p.m., Dance 7 p.m.  For information call (808) 775-0965.
• Saturday, July 8:  Pa`au`ilo Hongwanji, 43-1477 Hauola Rd., Pa`au`ilo.  Service 6:30 p.m., Dance 7:30 p.m.  For information call (808) 776-1369.
• Saturday, July 8:  Kona Daifukuji Soto Mission, 79-7241 Maamlahoa Hwy, Kealakekua.  Service 6:30 p.m., Dance 7 p.m.  For information call (808) 322-3524.
• Friday & Saturday, July 14 & 15:  Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin, 398 Kilauea Ave., Hilo.  Service 6 p.m., Dance 7 p.m.  For information call (808) 961-6677.
• Saturday, July 15:  Honoka`a Hongwanji, 45-516 Lehua St., Honoka`a.  Service 5:30 p.m., Dance 7 p.m.  For information call (808) 775-7232.
• Saturday, July 15: Ke`ei Buddhist Church (Kona Hongwanji), 83-5569 Middle Ke`ei Rd. Service 6 p.m., Dance 7 p.m.  For information call (808) 323-2993
• Saturday, July 22: Hilo Hooganji Mission, 7457 Manono St., Hilo.  Service 6 p.m., Dance 7:30 p.m.  For information call (808) 935-8331.
• Saturday, July 22:  Kona Hongwanji, 81-6630 Mamalahoa Hwy. Lantern parade 6:30 p.m., Dance 7 p.m.  For information call (808) 323-2993.
• Saturday, July 22:  Papa`aloa Hongwanji, 35-2026 Old Mamalahoa Hwy., Papa`aloa.  Service 5 p.m., Dance 6 p.m.  For information call (808) 962-6340.
• Friday, July 28: Hilo Dajingu, 10 Anela St., Hilo.  Service 5 p.m., Dance 6 p.m. For information call (808) 959-8611.
• Saturday, July 29: Hilo Taishoji Soto Mission, 275 Kino`ole St., Hilo.  Service 7 p.m., Dance 7:30 p.m.  For information  call (808) 935-8407.

June 27 – July 25:
Hawai`i Performing Arts Festival.  Enjoy events throughout the Big Island celebrating Hawai`i’s performing arts.  For information and schedule of events, visit http://www.hawaiiperformingartsfestival.org/.

June 27 – July 25: 
Hawai`i Performing Arts Festival.  Enjoy events throughout the Big Island celebrating Hawai`i’s performing arts.  For information and schedule of events, visit http://www.hawaiiperformingartsfestival.org/.

Saturday, June 24:
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/.

Saturday & Sunday, June 24 & 25:
Annual Cultural Festival – Pu`uhonua `O Honaunau National Historical Park.  Celebrate Hawaiian culture at this free, two-day, family-friendly event. Saturday opens with games, arts, and canoe rides. On Sunday, there will be games, arts, hukilau, and Hawaiian food tasting. In order to protect fragile resources and preserve the historic setting, picnicking, coolers and chairs are not allowed in the Royal Grounds. Pu`u `O Honaunau National Historical Park, 1871 Trail, Captain Cook.  9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  View updates on www.facebook.com/PuuhonuaoHonaunauNPS. For more information, call (808) 328-2326 x1702.

Saturday & Sunday, June 24 & 25:
Kona Marathon, Half Marathon and Quarter Marathon & Health and Fitness Fair. The Health and Fitness Fair will be on Saturday at the Hilton Waikoloa Village, 69-425 Waikoloa Beach Dr., Waikoloa, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Sunday’s Marathons will start and finish at the Waikoloa Beach Resort’s Waikoloa Bowl at Queen’s Garden, 69-201 Waikola Beach Dr., Waikoloa Village. 5:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For information call (808) 967-8240 or visit http://www.konamarathon.com/.